WASHINGTON, D.C.– Friday, on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, U.S. Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) and Susie Lee (D-NV) introduced a resolution to aid in the research and recovery efforts of our nation’s missing service members.

The resolution expresses the sense of Congress that countries who enter into trade agreements with the United States should provide reasonable access and collaboration for the purpose of locating members of the Armed Forces who never returned home from prior wars or military conflicts. Representatives Dan Meuser (R-PA) and James Walkinshaw (D-VA) are original cosponsors of the resolution.

“As the father of a Purple Heart wounded warrior, I am thankful every day my son returned home,” Rep. Thompson said. “For those who made the ultimate sacrifice, their families and loved ones deserve no less than our greatest efforts for recovery. This bipartisan resolution makes it clear we as Americans take promises to our service members very seriously and we are hopeful our trade partners will join in our ongoing recovery efforts.”

“Every time I pass the POW/MIA flag outside my office, I think of the more than 80,000 service members who are still missing and their families. They are not forgotten,” Rep. Lee said. “When a service member makes the ultimate sacrifice to defend our nation, we have a duty to bring them home. This bipartisan resolution would improve collaboration with our trade partners to bring our fallen heroes home to their loved ones.”

According to the Department of Defense, more than 80,000 American citizens who served in the Vietnam War, Korean War, and World War II are still missing in action.