9. Resolved that the National League of Families organize a delegation of interested League members to go to the United Nations, on a date to be determined, personally to impress upon each signer of the Geneva Conventions its obligation to us in enforcing the rules of the Conventions.

10. Resolved that the National League of Families find the withdrawal of the United States from the Vietnam conflict without prior agreement upon release of known prisoners of war, or identification of missing alarming. The National League of Families therefore urges the United States Government and the Congress of the United States to take steps to insure that these men who served their country are not abandoned. The National League wishes to remind the government and the Congress that Article I of the 1949 Geneva Conventions Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War requires the signatory nation to enforce the convention against all violators, which North Vietnam most patently is. 11. Resolved that the National League of Families acquire funds for the Board of Directors to hire a national Press Director whose function it is to most effectively utilize the media to publicize the POW/MIA issue and to promote generation of news interest.

12. Resolved that any member or members of the National League of Families who engage in any actions or activities that are not in compliance with the purposes of the League as approved by the majority of the members, make it explicitly known that they are acting as individuals and not in behalf of the League.

Miss Carmella LaSpada (responsible for "Time Out for POW's, Nov. 1970) announced and discussed the formation of a committee of Sports Stars for POW/ MIAS. Miss LaSpada explained that leaders in American sports fields had been working to aid in the release of American POW's and to aid the children of POW/MIAs. Miss LaSpada also requested that those interested in the current program contact her at Box 272, Washington, D.C., 20044.

Professor John Norton Moore, Professor of Law, University of Virginia School of Law, addressed our meeting on the Geneva Conventions and the Protection of Prisoners and Missing in Indo-China: Crisis in International Implementation of Human Rights. If you would like a copy of this address, please write to the National office.

Luncheon sponsored by American National Red Cross.

Final press conference. The second annual convention of the National League ended on a note of agreement. The newly elected officers, Mrs. Evelyn Grubb, Mrs. Sara Francis Shay, Mrs. Bonnie Metzger, Miss Cathi and Jan Ray, and Mrs. Carole Hanson joined by Mrs. Valerie Kushner and Mrs. Eldora Ford announced: "At this convention we the families of POWs and MIAS have found our point of agreement. While as individual family members who are personally concerned with Americans missing and imprisoned in SEA we hold varying opinions as to the course and settlement of the Indochina conflict, we are strongly united in our mutual concern for our men. To this end we would like to make it clear that whatever course a settlement of the war may take we will not be able to accept any final ending until all governments concerned have permitted neutral and acceptable methods which will account for those men from all sides to the conflict whose fate is otherwise unknown."

Telegram to Dr. Henry Kissinger from Mrs. Barbara R. Mullen, wife of Major William F. Mullen, USMC, Missing in Action in Laos since April, 1966.

Regarding AP story dated Sept. 30 about meeting with POW families. My reference to your statements on President's China trip and thaw in U.S.-Russia relations which you did repeat did make were in context of a general relaxation of world tensions as you admitted to AP. My purpose in satirically mentioning these was to emphasize many of us do not any longer cling to such straws. Over past five years these straws have changed from military victory to pacification to first Paris peace talks to Pres. Nixon's secret plan to vietnamization to a nonelection in South Vietnam to China trip and thaws in U.S.-Russia relations. Please no more straws which self-destruct in 12 seconds. Your invitation to me was for "discussion" on POW matters but my vital questions were answered with "I do not want to comment on that." I repeat my question. Is U.S. willing to set withdrawal date in return for POW release separate from settling future of South Vietnam? I await your immediate answer. (Copy of this telegram has been sent to A.P. by Mrs. Mullen.)

Christmas Seal.—Colorado Springs for Prisoners of War has produced a Christmas seal which it would like to share with all of you. There is a minimum order of $2.00 which is 200 seals. A description of the seal is as follows: In black in the corner is a picture of a POW. The background is blue and he is looking at a Christmas star in sky. The title is Silent Nights, 1964-1971. In script at the

bottom is "Lest We Forget", On barbed wire on bottom is POW/MIA. This seal is twice the size of a regular postage stamp. A great percentage of the profits will go to the National League. Please send your order to Mrs. Helene Knapp (a family member), Colorado Springs for Prisoners of War, Box 100,000, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80901.

Taxes. After a year's work, we finally learned today that the House Ways and Means Committee has voted unanimously to exempt all pay of prisoners of war or servicemen listed as missing in action. Of course, this still needs full congressional approval, but it is a step in the right direction..

Veterans Administration.-During our Annual Meeting a representative of the Veterans Administration was available to answer questions from our members. We have a number of their question and answer sheets on hand in our office (not enough for a complete mailing) and if you would like a copy, please write and we will be happy to mail one to you.

NATIONAL COORDINATOR'S REPORT

OCTOBER 1970-SEPTEMBER 1971

The last year has been filled with such a myriad of activities that it would be impossible to give more than a brief rundown here. The National Office has been staffed every day by your three officers, many hard-working volunteers, and Betty Burford and Jane Downey who are two of the best secretaries in Washington Kathy Plowman (Assistant National Coordinator), Mary Jane McManus (Secretary-Treasurer), and Carol North (Chairman of the Board) have been a tremendous support, and their energies, enthusiasm and abilities have been invaluable to me and the entire League.

Our advisors, particularly Charles Havens, Paul Wagner, Heather David and Herb Ladley have been available at any and all times. Time and time again they have shown their perception of our problems and complete dedication to our cause and our men.

The League has fulfilled one of its goals-that of making the public and world aware of the plight of our men. The POW/MIA issue became one of the primary concerns of this nation, and two months ago it appeared to be the key to unlock the stalemated peace talks. (However, at this time, the issue seems to have been defused, and I pray that we can regain the momentum that our cause had to secure the release of our men and an accounting of those missing.)

Professionals in the public relations field have told us that they have never seen a campaign as effective as ours. To have been done by non-professionals, working at a grass-roots level with relatively little money, was extraordinary. Of course, there has probably never been a cause that has as many zealots as ours.

The National League has 2700 members and we have tried to keep you informed about what we're doing in the office-the decisions of the Board of Directors, the activities of the states, national activities, international activities, projects, trips, and any and all matters that we felt would be of interest to you, our members. In the pursuit of publicity, the National Office has had an average of two press conferences and major interviews for press and/or media per month. We convinced many publications to feature stories on the POW/MIA issue. Time, Newsweek, Life and Look stories were already done before the Son Tay mission. Major newspapers throughout the country and world have had untold articles, in-depth feature stories and editorials. There were television documentaries and news stories, a movie made for TV, and there is a full-length film for movie theatres in the making.

We made trips abroad to talk to the other side, world leaders, businessmen and newsmen in Paris, London, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Madrid, Geneva, Viennla, Budapest, Warsaw, Oslo, Rome, Brussels, Vientienne and other places. We also met with U Thant as the United Nations. We attempted to convince them al of the importance of abiding by the Geneva Convention, as well as our determination to secure information on who was being held capitive, the condition of the prisoners, what could be done to insure their release or internment in a neutral country, and to get a commitment or guarantee that the communist forces would release all prisoners held if there were a total withdrawal of American forces from South Vietnam and an accounting of the missing.

We established a dialogue between the League and almost all Congressmen and Senators, and officials in the State and Defense Departments and the White House. This is a necessary facet of our office because our government officials have to know

of our fears, concerns, wishes and thinking. Dr. Kissinger has agreed to see us on a continuing basis. This is important, if only for our input to him. The Task Force in the Pentagon has been formed and there is now serious consideration and study being given to the rehabilitation and readjustment of the men and their families. Some of the things that have been done that have maintained national awareness have been—a Commerative stamp, dedication of Army-Navy Game, bowl games, baseball games, air shows, NCAA basketball tournament, national Christmas tree, tons of mail to Paris, Evelyn Grubb's petition on behalf of Prisoners and Missing to the United Nations, the National Week of Concern, Citizens' trip to Paris, Congressmens' trips to Paris, our family members' trip to Geneva, other world capitals and Paris, speeches before Congressional committees, speeches at schools, churches, business groups and wives groups.

We have talked with and written to Congressmen about pending legislation and proposed legislation that will affect our men and their families. We have been in attendance at meetings that are planning to give scholarships to all the children of our men that are now POW/MIA.

We appealed to the various services that all POW/MIA's be promoted when they are in the primary time zone for promotions. This has been granted.

We have worked for months on the Advertising Council campaign. It is desperately needed at this time, as awareness and concern for our men seems to be diminishing.

None of the above actions, however, have produced the ultimate results we desire release of and an accounting for our men. Where do we go from here? That is for you here at this meeting to decide. The national office works at the direction of the Board and the membership.

JOAN M. VINSON.

REPORT OF ASSISTANT NATIONAL COORDINATOR

As Assistant National Coordinator during the past year, my primary responsibility has been to you-the members of the National League of Families. In this capacity, and with the direction of the Board of Directors, my duties have been in three main areas-State Coordinators, Washington Office, and communication. During the past year we have sent out fourteen newsletters to State Coordinators, copies of each have been sent to regional coordinators and members of the Board of Directors, who are directed to pass on pertinent information to you. This is information we feel is beneficial and helpful in making the job of the State Coordinators easier, such as, updated lists of Representatives and Senators; letters from individuals and/or organizations who have expressed a desire to help (billboard companies); lists and dates of Geneva Convention signators; updated lists of State Coordinators and membership by states; sample materials (bumper stickers, records and tapes, posters. 2700 billboards were printed and distributed to State Coordinators), pamphlets, postcards, and sample utility and bank enclosures; minutes to all Board meetings from February to present; current POW-MIA information (statistics, breakdown by state); list of diplomatic representation in Hanoi; information on obtaining POW-MIA cancellation stamp; special interest programs to watch on television; copies of POW-MIA statements appearing in the Congressional Record, and testimonies made before House and Senate Committees; information on fund raising, Ad Council; and a summation of POW-MIA family activities compiled from State Coordinators' monthly reports.

Another purpose of these letters has been to seek out suggestions, ideas, programs, and criticisms from you. Our goal is to seek facts on state activities, family participation, organizations working with families, and programs which have been most helpful and successful. Of the 167 reports received from 40 state coordinators during the past year, 17 of these reports were received during the first two months of the year, and 30 reports were received during the last two months of the year. Of the total received during the first part of the year, we determined that in order to be more effective this obvious communications gap had to be breached. In discussion with the Board of Directors, we set up the states into four equal regions whose coordinators would be elected by State Coordinators, and whose main responsibility would be a link between national office and state, and with the Board of Directors. Expense and report forms were formulated for state Coordinators in the hope of improving communications from reports received. The State Coordinators have indicated that the families are working with approximately 57 other POW-MIA organizations throughout the Country. The largest

National program has been letter writing campaigns. Seven states have had joint sessions on the POW-MIA issue. Eleven states participated in the moment of Silence program. As Assistant National Coordinator it has been necessary to keep up-to-date state files, including State Coordinator and family activities and records of general POW-MIA organization activities. In pursuance of our goals of release of our loved ones, we have had donations of $38,903.16 available from concerned citizens which we have distributed to state and regional coordinators. As you know, free material, such as bumper stickers, billboards, etc. have been and are available from the office.

We in the Washington office have devoted nearly every day of the past year in the national office and have had the responsibility of performing routine office duties, such as handling correspondence, phone calls, appointments, etc. We have worked with the planning of League projects, such as the "100 tons of mail," Geneva-Paris trip, and the annual meeting.

Like everyone else, we have addressed assemblies, clubs, civic and church groups, DOD committees, National conventions, seminars in high schools and colleges, as well as interviewing with newspapers, magazines, TV and radio in the office and at home. We have also referred these interested parties to the families throughout the states. When asked, we have attended state meetings and visited the offices of non-league POW-MIA organizations. We in the office have worked together in seeking out ideas and suggestions, as well as expressing opinions to Representatives, Senators, the Administration, DOD, State Department, Embassies, Church groups, the U.N., business and other interested groups, as well as groups which should be interested.

After all of our efforts, our ultimate objective has not been achieved. We share your deep sense of frustration and hurt. Very serious consideration was given to every action taken by the national office under the direction of the Board of Directors. It may not have been what some of you would have chosen, but what we did we felt would be for the ultimate good of all our men. We also felt our actions expressed the opinion of the majority of our membership.

KATHY PLOWMAN.

PENDING LEGISLATION AS OF AUGUST, 1971

H.R. 8345

To amend Chapter 10, Title 37, USC, to authorize at Government expense, the transportation of house trailers or mobile dwellings, in place of household and personal effects, of members in a missing status, and the additional movement of dependents and effects, or trailers, of those members in such a status for more than one year.

Status. The Navy was responsible for the preparation of a report expressing the views of the Department of Defense. A favorable report was submitted to the House Armed Services Committee on 14 July 1971.

H.R. 936

To amend the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, as amended in order to extend under certain circumstances the expiration date specified in a power of attorney executed by a member of the Armed Forces who is missing in action or held as a prisoner of war.

Status. A favorable report was submitted to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs on 20 July 1971.

H.R. 8656

To amend Titles 37 and 38, USC, relating to promotion of members of the Uniformed Services who are in a missing status. This bill would provide that promotions of personnel carried as missing are valid for all purposes, including Federal benefits to survivors, even when the date of death of the missing member is later determined to have occurred prior to the promotion.

Status.-Passed by the House on 19 July 1971. Awaiting Senate action.

S. 380

A bill to amend the IRC of 1954 to permit a taxpayer to deduct expenses incurred in traveling outside the US to obtain information concerning a member of his immediate family who is missing in action, or who is or may be held prisoner, in the Vietnam conflict.

Status.-Cleared by the General Counsel, Department of Defense, and submitted to the Office of Management and Budget on 5 August 1971.

H.R. 9900

To amend the IRC of 1954 to exclude from gross income the entire amount of the compensation of members of the Armed Forces of the US who are PW, MIA, or in a detained status during the Vietnam conflict.

Status. Introduced to the House Ways and Means Committee on 19 July 1971. This committee requested a report from DOD on 2 August 1971.

DOD 92-34

(Formerly AFLI 2776)-To amend Title 10, USC, to permit the appointment by the President of certain additional persons to the service academies. (Sons of PW, MIA).

Status.-The Department of the Navy submitted a draft of proposed legislation to the Speaker of the House on 9 July 1971.

H.R. 4734

A bill to amend Titles 10 and 37 of the USC, to provide that members of the Armed Forces captured by hostile forces may accumulate leave without limitation during the period of their capture and receive payment for such leave.

Status. On 13 July 1971 the Office of Management and Budget was asked if there is objection to the submission of a report on the proposed bill to the Armed Services Committee.

AFLI 2855

Proposed legislation to amend Section 1035, Title 10, USC, to provide that the amount credited to the deposit account of a member of the uniformed services who dies while in a missing status shall be paid to his heirs or legal representatives. Status.-Being coordinated within the Service Departments as of 12 July 1971.

LEGISLATION NEEDING CLARIFICATION OR REVISION

Public Law 91-289-91st Congress H.R. 4204.-A bill to provide for compensation to POW's in the amounts of $3.00/day for inhumane treatment and $2.00/day for failure of the hostile force by which he was held a prisoner of war, or its agents to furnish him the quantity or quality of food prescribed for prisoners of war under the terms of the Geneva Convention. Additionally, any civilian may file claim for these same amounts for the period of time he was held by any such hostile force as a prisoner, internee, hostage, or remained in hiding to avoid capture or internment by any such hostile force. In the cases of both the POW and the civilian, these benefits may be paid to the widow and/or children. No provision is made for the military MİA.

Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce of the House of Representatives compiled the research on this legislation. Senate--Committee on the Judiciary.

Many family members have asked that this amount be raised from $5.00/day to $10 or $15. In view of the current wage-price freeze, it seems unlikely that this will be accomplished in the immediate future; however, some members might care to pursue this item.

United States Code, Title 10, Sec. 1035(b).—With regard to the U.S. Savings Deposit Program, payment of interest shall terminate 90 days after man returns to the United States. There is reason to believe that three months will be an insufficient time period for some of the returnees to make major decisions. A twelve-month grace period seems more realistic.

Public Law 91-584-Dependents' Education Assistance Laws. This law entitles wives and children of members who are in a missing or captured status to educational benefits (college or trade school). This entitlement terminates, however, upon return of the member. Children of returnees are not eligible unless such returnee is totally disabled. No provision is made for the child who requires special schooling as a result of emotional difficulties suffered as a result of the father's status.