The text of the resolution below is as of Apr 6, 1982 (Passed Congress).
PUBLIC LAW 97-167—APR. 6, 1982 96 STAT. 61
Public Law 97-167
97th Congress
Joint Resolution
Providing for the designation of April 12,1982, as "American Salute to Cabanatuan Apr. 6, 1982
Prisoner of War Memorial Day". [H.J. Res. 435]
Whereas April 9, 1982, is the fortieth anniversary of the fall of
Bataan and Corregidor in the Philippines to the Japanese Impe-
rial Army during World War II;
Whereas approximately thirty-six thousand Americans were cap-
tured by the Japanese at the fall;
Whereas these Americans, along with Filipinos captured by the
Japanese, were forced to march without food and water for up to
ten days on the Bataan Death March to Camp O'Donnell, a pris-
oner of war camp;
Whereas the International War Crimes Commission reports that
ten thousand three hundred people, including women and chil-
dren, died on that march;
Whereas the survivors of that march, along with other Americans
and Filipinos captured by the Japanese in the Philippines, were
taken to a prisoner of war camp in central Luzon named Cabana-
tuan;
Whereas the treatment of prisoners of war at Cabanatuan was
extraordinarily cruel and inhumane and resulted in the death of
over three thousand American prisoners of war during the period
beginning May 1942 and ending February 1945;
Whereas the prisoners of war at Cabanatuan were liberated on
September 2, 1945;
Whereas of the thirty-six thousand Americans who were captured
at the fall of Bataan and Corregidor, only between six thousand
to seven thousand survived until such date of liberation; and
Whereas approximately three thousand fifteen Americans who sur-
vived the Bataan Death March and imprisonment at Cabanatuan
are living today: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Presi- American Salute
to Cabanatuan
Prisoner of War
Memorial Day.
96 STAT. 62 PUBLIC LAW 97-167—APR. 6, 1982
dent is directed to issue a proclamation designating April 12, 1982,
as "American Salute to Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Memorial
Day" and csdling on the people of the United States to observe
such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
Approved April 6, 1982.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 435:
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 128 (1982):
Apr. 1, considered and passed House and Senate.
