[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 716 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 716

    Recognizing the importance of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in 
           PyeongChang, South Korea, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 29, 2018

   Mr. Connolly (for himself, Mr. Roskam, Mr. Bera, and Mr. Kelly of 
Pennsylvania) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Recognizing the importance of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in 
           PyeongChang, South Korea, and for other purposes.

Whereas from February 9-25, 2018, the 23rd Winter Olympic Games will be held in 
        PyeongChang, located in the Gangwon Province of the Republic of Korea 
        (South Korea);
Whereas the Winter Olympic Games PyeongChang 2018 represent South Korea's second 
        Olympic Games in 30 years since Seoul hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 
        1988;
Whereas the Winter Olympic Games PyeongChang 2018 will feature 102 events across 
        15 sport disciplines with the qualified participation of 89 National 
        Olympic Committee Teams;
Whereas the United States team at the Winter Olympic Games PyeongChang 2018 is 
        expected to consist of up to 240 athletes from all across America 
        competing in all 15 sport disciplines;
Whereas PyeongChang will also host the 12th Paralympic Games from March 9-18, 
        2018, which will feature 80 events in 6 sports with approximately 42 
        nations competing;
Whereas the theme of the Winter Olympic Games is ``Passion. Connected.'' and 
        refers to South Korea's vision of a world in which everyone is connected 
        through a shared passion for winter sports;
Whereas, on November 13, 2017, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the 
        resolution ``Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the 
        Olympic ideal'' by consensus;
Whereas the United Nations General Assembly resolution expresses ``its 
        expectation that PyeongChang 2018 will be a meaningful opportunity to 
        foster an atmosphere of peace, development, tolerance, and understanding 
        on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia'';
Whereas, on January 3, 2018, South Korea and North Korea reopened a telephone 
        hotline ``to normalize the Panmunjom communications channel'' at the 
        Joint Security Area (JSA) located within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ);
Whereas, on January 4, 2018, President Donald Trump and President Moon Jae-In of 
        the Republic of Korea held a call to discuss recent developments on the 
        Korean Peninsula and agreed that ``The United States and the Republic of 
        Korea are committed to a safe and successful 2018 Winter Olympic Games 
        in PyeongChang'';
Whereas President Trump conveyed to President Moon that ``the United States will 
        send a high-level delegation to the Olympics'';
Whereas the two leaders further agreed to ``de-conflict the Olympics and our 
        military exercises so that United States and Republic of Korea forces 
        can focus on ensuring the security of the Games'';
Whereas, on January 9, 2018, South Korean and North Korean representatives held 
        their first official talks in more than two years with the aim of 
        discussing cooperation during the Winter Olympic Games PyeongChang 2018 
        and improving their overall relations; and
Whereas, on January 10, 2018, it was announced that Vice President Michael Pence 
        and Second Lady Karen Pence would lead the United States delegation to 
        PyeongChang and that ``in addition to showing support for our U.S. 
        athletes, the Vice President will show his confidence in and 
        appreciation for our U.S. military stationed in the region'': Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) reaffirms the strong and unwavering commitment of the 
        United States to its ally--the Republic of Korea--to support, 
        participate in, and help ensure the safety and security of the 
        Winter Olympic Games PyeongChang 2018;
            (2) recognizes the importance of the Winter Olympic Games 
        PyeongChang 2018 as a leading international sporting event of 
        genuine sportsmanship and fair play that can contribute to 
        peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, in Northeast 
        Asia, and beyond; and
            (3) wishes the Government and people of the Republic of 
        Korea as well as the PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 
        2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games (POCOG) every success 
        in their preparation for and execution in hosting the Winter 
        Games.
                                 <all>