[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 333 Introduced in House (IH)]







108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 333

   Expressing support and appreciation for the longstanding alliance 
  between the United States and the Republic of Korea, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 20, 2003

  Ms. Millender-McDonald (for herself and Mr. Tom Davis of Virginia) 
 submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
                the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
   Expressing support and appreciation for the longstanding alliance 
  between the United States and the Republic of Korea, and for other 
                               purposes.

Whereas 2003 marks the 100th anniversary of Korean immigration to the United 
        States, the 50th Anniversary of the armistice agreement halting the 
        Korean conflict, and the 50th anniversary of the United States-Republic 
        of Korea Mutual Defense Treaty;
Whereas diplomatic relations between the United States and Korea were 
        established by treaty in 1882 and included the establishment by King 
        Kojong of United States Government property in Jung-dong, one of the 
        oldest United States Government properties outside of the United States, 
        and the land on which the United States Ambassador's residence exists;
Whereas more than 3,000,000 Koreans and almost 2,000,000 Americans fought in 
        defense of freedom and democracy on the Korean Peninsula, which resulted 
        in 36,577 dead and 103,284 wounded Americans;
Whereas the United Nations Command, led by the United States, intervened with 
        military action and diplomacy and resulted in the armistice agreement 
        signed on July 27, 1953;
Whereas, through innovation and determination, the Republic of Korea (``South 
        Korea'') has emerged from the ravages of war, military dictatorship, and 
        political upheavals into a strong democracy ranked as the twelfth 
        largest economy in the world and a leader in many fields of business and 
        technology;
Whereas trade between the Republic of Korea and the United States accounts for 
        almost $60,000,000,000 worth of goods and services, making the Republic 
        of Korea the 6th largest trading partner of the United States;
Whereas the relationship between the two countries has continued to evolve to 
        include cooperation in international security and the fight against 
        terrorism, including the Republic of Korea's role as a member of the 
        Coalition during Operation Iraqi Freedom;
Whereas the Republic of Korea continues to play a role in the international 
        community from which itself has benefited, including by providing 
        assistance in the United Nations effort to maintain peace and cultivate 
        the birth of a new democracy in East Timor, as well as lending engineers 
        and medical support, aircraft, and naval transport, and aid in the 
        reconstruction efforts alongside United States forces and personnel in 
        Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and in post-conflict Iraq; and
Whereas deterrence of aggression by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 
        (``North Korea'') is the principle consideration of the unique Combined 
        Forces Command of the United States and the Republic of Korea on the 
        Korean Peninsula to continue preserving this key strategic military 
        alliance: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That--
            (1) Congress expresses its unequivocal support and 
        appreciation for the longstanding alliance between the United 
        States and the Republic of Korea; and
            (2) it is the sense of Congress that--
                    (A) the continuation of the military alliance 
                between the United States and the Republic of Korea is 
                both strategic and foreseeable and remains an essential 
                consideration in the international fight against 
                terrorism;
                    (B) the continuation of the cultural and economic 
                relationship between the United States and the Republic 
                of Korea mutually benefit the two countries;
                    (C) Korean immigration has contributed to the 
                United States economy, diversity, culture, and 
                politics; and
                    (D) foreign students from the Republic of Korea 
                have learned from the United States and returned to be 
                leaders in the Government of the Republic of Korea, 
                Korean businesses, and Korean academia.
                                 <all>