Marvin Mandel, Governor                        1807

tion with and under the direction of the Secretary of Transportation
when the Act creating that office goes into effect.

Approved May 6, 1971.

No. 5
(Senate Joint Resolution 13)

Senate Joint Resolution to beseech the Communist Forces in South-
east Asia to begin immediate implementation of the Geneva Con-
vention and all provisions contained therein especially those
Articles relating to the release of names and the treatment of
Prisoners-of-War.

Whereas, Nearly 1600 members of the Armed Forces of the
United States of America are known or believed to be held as
Prisoners-of-War by the Communist Forces in Southeast Asia; and

Whereas, The families of 49 of these servicemen are residents
of the State of Maryland; and

Whereas, The said Communist Forces have repeatedly refused
to release the names of the men that it holds as prisoners, to allow
an inspection of prison facilities by the International Committee of
the Red Cross, to permit a regular exchange of mail between
Prisoners-of-War and their families and friends, to release seriously
ill or injured prisoners, to return the remains of deceased prisoners,
and to engage in negotiations for the release of all prisoners; and

Whereas, These actions are in direct and flagrant violation of the
terms of the 1949 Geneva Convention relative to the treatment of
Prisoners-of-War; and

Whereas, All parties to the conflict in Southeast Asia are bound
by the provisions of the said convention; and

Whereas, The refusal of said Communist Forces to identify the
men that it holds prisoner has caused immeasurable distress, agony
and uncertainty in the hearts of their loved ones; and

Whereas, A minimum degree of humanity on the part of the said
Communist Forces would require them to release the names of the
United States Military Personnel that are in their custody, or at one
time has been held by them as prisoners; and

Whereas, A decent respect for the opinion of mankind should
compel them to do so; and

Whereas, All evidence indicates inhumane treatment of prisoners
by their captives, violating fundamental standards of human de-
cency; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the General Assembly of Maryland beseeches the
Communist Forces in Southeast Asia to begin immediate implemen-
tation of the Geneva Convention and all provisions contained therein
especially those Articles relating to the release of names and the
treatment of Prisoners-of-War; and be it further