Reps. Bieda, Nofs, Gleason, Richardville, Byrum, Spade, Elkins, Lipsey, Sheltrown, Gieleghem, Accavitti, Wojno, Woodward, Acciavatti, Adamini, Anderson, Brown, Caswell, Condino, DeRossett, Drolet, Farrah, Garfield, Gillard, Howell, Jamnick, Minore, Murphy, Paletko, Pappageorge, Plakas, Sak, Stakoe, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Zelenko and Ehardt offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 67.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact H.R. 369, a bill to waive time limitations for the consideration of the Congressional Medal of Honor in a certain case.

            Whereas, Congress has before it a bill, H.R. 369, that would waive time limitations specified in federal law to allow the Medal of Honor to be awarded posthumously to Sergeant Gary Lee McKiddy for acts of valor in the Vietnam War.  This legislation was originated in response to circumstances surrounding the events of May 6, 1970, when a helicopter and crew came under intense fire and were shot down; and

            Whereas, The helicopter's crew chief, Sergeant Gary Lee McKiddy, who compiled a remarkable record in Vietnam, gallantly rescued one crew member before Sergeant McKiddy was killed by an explosion that occurred as he returned again to the flames and wreckage to try to rescue the pilot.  For a variety of reasons, including the fact that application procedures were not initiated prior to the statutory date of October 1975, Sergeant McKiddy's bravery was not recognized with the nation's highest honor.  Congress considered similar legislation to address this in the 107^th Congress but adjourned before taking action; and

            Whereas, Congress has the opportunity to rectify the oversight of the past three decades to accord appropriate honor to a true national hero and defender of our ideals.  This legislation is long overdue; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact H.R. 369 to waive time limitations for the consideration of the Congressional Medal of Honor for Sergeant Gary Lee McKiddy; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.

R 0216 '03