[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 35 (Tuesday, March 18, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL

  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, From 1950 to 1953, the United States 
was in the midst of a bitter war on the Korean peninsula. As the 
inscription at the base of the Korean War Memorial says, our Nation's 
sons and daughters answered the call ``to defend a country they never 
knew and a people they never met.'' And they did so honorably. Today, 
though, the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice is honored 
once again.
  Earlier today, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Honor Roll Kiosk was 
officially unveiled in a ceremony by representatives of the American 
Battle Monuments Commission, the National Parks Service, the Samsung 
Group, and IBM. The Honor Roll Kiosk houses a high technology 
interactive computer base which contains all the verifiable names from 
the Korean war theater of those killed in action, still listed as 
missing in action, and those captured as prisoners of war. Touch 
screens allow visitors, friends, and family to research the service 
record of their loved one, and obtain a certificate of honor in the 
name of that soldier. This was made possible in large part through the 
generous donation from the Samsung group of companies.
  As part of the July 1995 Korean War Veterans Memorial dedication 
ceremonies, Samsung made a significant contribution to the memorial 
fund. It was with great honor and appreciation that Samsung recognized 
the sacrifice and commitment of the United States to the security of 
the Korean peninsula. It is a commitment America maintains today. We 
have worked together to establish close relations in defense of common 
principles and it is because of these shared beliefs that the United 
States and South Korea remain partners in peace today.
  In addition to contributing to the memorial, Samsung also created an 
educational endowment with the American Legion. Their gift of $5 
million to the American Legion will be used to fund collegiate 
scholarships for the descendants of America's veterans. I commend and 
congratulate Samsung on their generosity and willingness to recognize 
the origin in which their success today is rooted. I am proud to have 
their North American headquarters located in Ridgefield Park, NJ. 
Lastly, I recognize the honor and dignity with which America's service 
men and women fought on the harsh Korean field of combat. As the 
dedication ceremonies remind us, your service--and your sacrifice--was 
not forgotten.

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