[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 77 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 77


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 29, 2001

      Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the efforts of people of 
   the United States of Korean ancestry to reunite with their family 
                        members in North Korea.

Whereas on June 25, 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, thereby initiating 
        the Korean War, leading to the loss of countless lives, and further 
        polarizing a world engulfed by the Cold War;
Whereas in the aftermath of the Korean War, the division of the Koreas at the 
        38th parallel separated millions of 


Koreans from their families, tearing at the heart of every mother, father, 
daughter, and son;

Whereas on June 13 and 14, 2000, in the first summit conference ever held 
        between leaders of North and South Korea, South Korean President Kim Dae 
        Jung met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang, North 
        Korea's capital;
Whereas in a historic joint declaration, South Korean President Kim Dae Jung and 
        North Korean leader Kim Jong Il made an important promise to promote 
        economic cooperation and hold reunions of South Korean and North Korean 
        citizens;
Whereas such reunions have been held in North and South Korea since the signing 
        of the joint declaration, reuniting family members who had not seen or 
        heard from each other for more than 50 years;
Whereas 500,000 people of the United States of Korean ancestry bear the pain of 
        being separated from their families in North Korea;
Whereas the United States values peace in the global community and has long 
        recognized the significance of uniting families torn apart by the 
        tragedy of war; and
Whereas a petition drive is taking place throughout the United States, urging 
        the United States Government to assist in the reunification efforts: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the Congress and the President should support efforts 
        to reunite people of the United States of Korean ancestry with 
        their families in North Korea; and
            (2) such efforts should be made in a timely manner, as 50 
        years have passed since the separation of these families.

            Passed the House of Representatives November 28, 2001.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.