This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas 
http://dolearchives.ku.edu

FACT SHEET

NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES OF AMERICAN PRISONERS AND MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
The National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia is a newly incorporated organization with headquarters lo- cated at One Constitution Avenue, N. E., Washington, D. C. 20002. The space was donated by the Reserve Officers Association of the United States, which owns the building.

Membership in the League is confined to the members of families of U. S. servicemen and civilians who are prisoners of war or missing in action and believed to be prisoners in Southeast Asia. The non-profit, non-partisan organization is being financed by the families themselves and by contribu- tions from concerned individuals and organizations.

The new League of Families had its genesis in a prior organization founded on the West Coast by Mrs. Sybil Stockdale of Coronado, California, in late 1966. She is the wife of Captain James B. Stockdale, USN, who has been a prisoner in North Vietnam since September 1965. Mrs. Stockdale has been named Chairman of the Board of Directors of the new national organiza- tion. She and the other current officers and board members will serve in a temporary capacity until October 1970 when there will be a formal election of permanent officers.

National Coordinator of the League is Mrs. Iris R. Powers of Lutz, Florida, mother of a "missing" Army Warrant Officer. Assistant Coordinator is Mrs. Joan M. Vinson, Alexandria, Virginia, wife of a "missing" Air Force Colonel. Secretary-Treasurer is Mr. Bernard F. Talley, Sr., Baltimore, Mary -- land, father of an imprisoned Air Force Captain. Mrs. Mary Jane McManus, Brightwaters, New York, wife of a captured Air Force Captain, is Office Mana- ger. All serve on a volunteer basis.

Primary Objectives of the League are to:
1. Secure humane treatment for POW's as outlined in the Geneva Conventions and recognized by general humani- tarian standards.
2. Stimulate continuing world concern about the fate of the men and the plight of their families, and
3. Improve dissemination of information concerning the POW -- MIA problem not only to the press and to families of the captured and missing men, but to agencies of the government.

The League neither maintains nor supports any position on the war in Southeast Asia, but believes that whatever position individuals may take on the war itself, they can stand united on the prisoner-of-war issue.

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