[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 8, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H726-H734]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KOREAN WAR AND THE SERVICE BY 
              MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES DURING SUCH WAR

  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
joint resolution (H.J. Res. 86) recognizing the 50th anniversary of the 
Korean War and the service by members of the Armed Forces during such 
war, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H.J. Res. 86

       Whereas on June 25, 1950, Communist North Korea invaded 
     South Korea with approximately 90,000 troops, thereby 
     initiating the Korean War;
       Whereas on June 27, 1950, President Harry S Truman ordered 
     military intervention in Korea;
       Whereas approximately 5,720,000 members of the Armed Forces 
     served during the Korean War to defeat the spread of 
     communism in Korea and throughout the world;
       Whereas casualties of the United States during the Korean 
     War included 54,260 dead (of whom 33,665 were battle deaths), 
     92,134 wounded, and 8,176 listed as missing in action or 
     prisoners of war; and
       Whereas service by members of the Armed Forces in the 
     Korean War should never be forgotten: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That the 
     Congress--
       (1) recognizes the historic significance of the 50th 
     anniversary of the Korean War;
       (2) expresses the gratitude of the people of the United 
     States to the members of the Armed Forces who served in the 
     Korean War;
       (3) honors the memory of service members who paid the 
     ultimate price for the cause of freedom, including those who 
     remain unaccounted for; and
       (4) calls upon the President to issue a proclamation--
       (A) recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Korean War and 
     the sacrifices of the members of the Armed Forces who served 
     and fought in Korea to defeat the spread of communism; and

[[Page H727]]

       (B) calling upon the people of the United States to observe 
     such anniversary with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Buyer) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer).


                             General Leave

  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on 
House Joint Resolution 86, now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Indiana?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  The forgotten war. That is what many of our Korean War veterans think 
about their service in Korea and the Korean era, and yet there are so 
many names in the Korean War that are permanently installed in the 
American lexicon. Such names as Inchon, the 38th parallel, Heartbreak 
Ridge, Pork Chop Hill. How is it that we have come to forever remember 
the places of war but overlook the people that sacrificed and endured?
  I would like to share a soldier's story. And there are many stories 
that individuals can share, whether it is in the sea or on the ground 
or in the air, but I would like to tell this one of a teenager from 
White County, Indiana, by the name of Bill Green.

                              {time}  1500

  On June 23, 1950, before dawn, North Korean artillery opened fire 
across the 38th parallel with preparatory fires. A half hour later, the 
North Korean Army commenced a four-prong attack with an estimated nine 
divisions, numbering 80,000 men, 150 tanks and numerous artillery 
pieces.
  At the time, Mr. Green served with K Company, the 21st Infantry, and 
the 24th Infantry. He was stationed in Japan as part of the World War 
II Army of Occupation under General Douglas MacArthur.
  In less than a week, Mr. Green and his unit were air transported to 
Korea and formed Task Force Smith. The Force was tasked to delay and 
defend the attacking North Koreans at Osan, only 50 miles from the 
North Korean border.
  Task Force Smith was comprised of the 7th, the 24th, and the 25th 
Divisions, as well as the 1st Cavalry. They were severely undermanned 
and totaled 66 percent of the normal combat strength. The 24th 
Division, to which Mr. Green was assigned, had only 10,800 men of a 
required 18,900 strength.
  In fact, when Mr. Green's company arrived in Korea, it carried only 
two 81-mm base plates and two mortar tubes but no bipods to stabilize 
the weapon and no sights to aim the weapon.
  In addition, K company had no recoilless rifles, the main weapon used 
against tanks, and the only jeep in the weapons company was a privately 
owned vehicle belonging to one of the privates. Furthermore, the 
artillery attached to Task Force Smith possessed only 13 anti-tank 
artillery rounds.
  On July 2, 1950, the Task Force moved north from Pusan, South Korea, 
pushing through endless lines of bewildered refugees and retreating 
South Korean Army units.
  On July 5, 1950, a strong force of North Korean infantry and tanks 
struck Task Force Smith as it stood alone in the roadway between 
attacking communist forces and the rest of a free South Korea. The 
outnumbered Americans fired artillery, bazookas, mortars and their 
rifles at North Korean communists and their Russian-made tanks.
  During the battle, Task Force Smith was hopelessly outgunned and 
outnumbered. In the area of operations for the 24th Division, Mr. 
Green's 21st regiment was outmanned nine to one, approximately 9,000 to 
1,000. The 21st Infantry, with only two rifle companies, a battery of 
105 howitzers, two mortar platoons, and six bazooka teams received its 
baptism of fire in Korea by holding an entire enemy division for 7 
hours. Escaping impending doom near Osan, the 21st fought its way out 
of encirclement and retreated 12 miles south.
  Following the battle at Osan, Task Force Smith defended the town of 
Taejon, half way between the North Korean border and Pusan, the last 
stronghold of American and South Korean forces.
  In August and September, Mr. Green participated in the defense of 
Pusan, which was only one area between advancing North Korean forces 
and the sea.
  On September 19, 1950, Task Force Smith attacked across the Naktong 
River, breaking out of the Pusan Perimeter and beginning the rapid 
advance to the north, thus escaping the fall of South Korea and the 
certain death of thousands of Americans and South Koreans.
  The reason I pause to share this is, this was an individual who was, 
like many others, teenagers, young men in their 20s even. They went and 
served in the military. This was the aftermath of World War II. They 
found themselves in the comfort of an occupation force. They were not 
adequately trained. They were not adequately manned and staffed. They 
were not even adequately resourced. Yet they were called because their 
country called them to duty. And that is what they were, called to 
duty. And they had to face an outnumbered force.
  Yet they fought with truly an American character. They fought for no 
bounty of their own but to only leave freedom in their footsteps. The 
Korean War. Over 55,000 lost their lives in the Korean War. It is only 
proper that we pause and think about those, many of whom had just 
served in World War II, some of whom were not young enough to have 
served in World War II, Mr. Speaker, but they found themselves in a 
similar position as Mr. Green.
  My father, John Buyer, is a Korean War-era veteran. He went to Culver 
Military Academy. He went to the Citadel. After all those years of 
military training, he decided to decline his commission, and wanted to 
go into medicine. But he got drafted. And instead of all his peers 
serving in the officer corps, my father taught me many things in his 
silence.
  He ended up as a sergeant in the Army. Not once did he ever complain. 
Not once did he ever say, oh, I could have been an officer. No. His 
country called and he did his duty, like millions before.
  I do not know whoever said that the Korean War was the forgotten war. 
But from my point of view, as a son of a Korean War-era veteran, it is 
a meaningful war to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution, H.J. 
Res. 86, a resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Korean 
War.
  I cannot help, while sitting here awaiting my moment to speak, to 
think of names like Barney Rostine, Richard Yates, Jim Sparks, 
schoolmates of mine who paid the ultimate price and were killed in 
action during the Korean War.
  I was fortunate to have a roommate in law school who later became a 
judge in Brookfield, Missouri, by the name of Robert Devoy, who fought 
in the Pusan Perimeter, the conflict of which the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Buyer) just mentioned. So it is with great respect and 
reverence that I support this resolution today.
  Fifty years ago this June, President Harry S. Truman ordered United 
States military intervention on the Korean Peninsula. Over the next 3 
years, over 54,000 Americans paid the ultimate price; and 33,000 were 
actually killed in action. Over 110,000 Americans were wounded or 
missing in action. In addition, over 228,000 South Korean soldiers and 
untold numbers of civilians gave their lives.
  These stark statistics serve as a reminder to all of us that the 
aphorism ``freedom isn't free'' is more than just a few words. The 
sacrifices of thousands of American service members purchased the 
freedom that South Koreans enjoy to this day, a freedom that our 
military continues to protect.
  In many respects, our participation in the Korea conflict presaged 
and has served as a model for our way of military operations today.
  Korea was the first multilateral United Nations operation, and it has 
become the longest standing peace-keeping operation in modern times.

[[Page H728]]

The unfortunate experience of Task Force Smith has taught us the 
paramount importance of sending forces into battle only when they are 
adequately trained and equipped.
  We have also learned that units cannot be thrown piecemeal into 
battle but must be engaged in a coordinated fashion with air and sea 
power and with overwhelming force.
  The lessons of the Korean War, taught at such great costs, have 
served us well in the conflicts in which we have participated since 
then, from Vietnam to the Persian Gulf War and now in Bosnia and 
Kosovo.
  As much as we may be inclined to remember the leaders who ultimately 
brought us victory in the Korean War--Truman, MacArthur, Acheson, 
Walker and Ridgeway--it is really the men and women who served so 
bravely to whom we should pay tribute today. And that is what we do. 
Without their selfless dedication, their valor, their perseverance, the 
people of South Korea would not be living in a free and prosperous 
society as they are.
  This resolution recognizes their service, expresses the gratitude of 
the American people, and calls upon the President of the United States 
to issue an appropriate proclamation, something he unquestionably 
should do.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.J. Res. 86.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Ewing), the sponsor of the bill.
  (Mr. EWING asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. EWING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Joint 
Resolution 86, which I proudly have introduced in this House.
  The year 2000 marks the 50th anniversary of the Korean War. This 
joint resolution recognizes this important anniversary and the 
sacrifice of all members of the Armed Forces who served there.
  I thank the 210 of my colleagues who have cosponsored this important 
piece of legislation, and I thank them for offering their support to 
the Korean War veterans.
  On June 25, 1950, communist North Korean forces crossed the 38th 
Parallel and invaded the country of South Korea. Two days later, on 
June 27, 1950, President Harry S. Truman called on American military 
forces to intervene. Over the next 3 years, 5.72 million Americans 
would heed the call to service.
  When the fighting came to an end on July 27, 1953, 92,134 had been 
wounded, 54,260 Americans had died, 33,665 of which were battle dead; 
8,176 were either prisoners of war or missing in action.
  Every time I have visitors come to this great city, one of the things 
that I like to see them take in, particularly at night, is the Korean 
War Memorial. It is truly a most moving tribute to our servicemen.
  The Korean War ended just before I graduated from high school, but it 
was a real part of my life. My brother was serving in the military. 
Later I met many of my future college fraternity brothers who had 
served in Korea, and I shared stories with them. But even though the 
fighting in Korea ended in 1953, for the next 40 years, America stood 
on the victory of our soldiers in Korea. And I believe that the victory 
in Korea started the downfall of communism, until its ultimate defeat 
10 years ago. And yet, our military still serves freedom's goals in 
Korea in protecting this country.
  In my own Congressional district, veterans have joined together to 
build a Korean War Veterans National Museum and Library in Tuscola, 
Illinois. This may well be the first facility solely devoted to the 
remembrance, research, and study of the Korean War.
  By calling on the President to issue a proclamation recognizing the 
50th anniversary of the Korean War and calling on the American people 
to observe this occasion with appropriate ceremonies and activities, 
efforts such as these of the veterans in the 15th District of Illinois 
remembering this war will be very, very meaningful.
  As veterans across the country join together over the next 3 years to 
remember both the victories and their fallen colleagues, we in Congress 
must take the lead by saying thank you to those who returned and those 
who did not.
  Regretfully, the Korean War is often referred to as ``the forgotten 
war.'' By passing this resolution, we in the House of Representatives, 
Republicans and Democrats, but first of all Americans, we can help end 
that nomenclature for the Korean War.
  I would not only like to thank Chairman Spence for bringing this bill 
forward for consideration, but I would also like to thank him and all 
of our colleagues whose service here in this chamber was preceded by 
their sacrifice in Korea in defense of freedom.
  In a short while, we will vote on this joint resolution. Let it not 
be forgotten that we may not even have this opportunity to vote this 
day had it not been for these heroes who so faithfully fought to 
protect the republic. To the veterans who served and those who made the 
ultimate sacrifice, we say thank you.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. McNulty).

                              {time}  1515

  Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong support of this joint 
resolution of which I am proud to be a cosponsor. I agree with the 
author of this resolution and the other Members who have spoken in 
saying that it is high time we remove any remaining perception that 
this is a forgotten war. I am very proud of the fact that in the 21st 
District of the State of New York, it is certainly not forgotten. We 
have beautiful memorials to the Korean War veterans both in Albany and 
in Troy; and on the first Monday of every month, Mr. Speaker, in 
Albany, we salute a distinguished veteran. We do the same thing on the 
second Monday of every single month in Rensselaer county to keep the 
memories alive and to give thanks.
  And so today I salute and pay tribute to the more than 54,000 
Americans who gave their lives in service to our country, a sacrifice 
which my brother made in a succeeding war. I also salute those who are 
still alive today from the Korean era; and there are many, like my 
friend Ned Haggerty who is twice the recipient of the Purple Heart.
  This is a good resolution, also, for us to generally stop and pause 
and get our priorities straight and to remember that had it not been 
for the men and women who wore the uniform of the United States 
military through the years, we would not have the privilege of going 
around bragging about how we live in the freest and most open democracy 
on earth. Freedom is not free. We paid a tremendous price for it. That 
is why when I get up in the morning as my first two priorities, I thank 
God for my life and then I thank veterans for my way of life. Today, I 
especially thank those from the Korean era.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Stump), chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Indiana for 
yielding time to me. I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Ewing) 
for introducing this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, June 25 will mark the 50th anniversary of the outbreak 
of the Korean War. It is called the forgotten war not because it was 
not important, but because it came between the most popular war, World 
War II, and the most controversial war, the war in Vietnam. It was the 
first real resistance to world communism.
  America at the mid-century point still yearned for peace. That was 
especially true for those of us who fought during World War II. But it 
was not to be. World War II had made America the undisputed champion of 
the free world. There was no other power capable of responding when 
North Korea launched an all-out predawn attack on the south hoping to 
unite the Korean peninsula under Communist rule. North Korea with the 
aid of the Soviet Union and Communist China thought conquest would be 
quick and easy.
  Mr. Speaker, they were wrong. The Korean War was as bitter and bloody 
as any war America ever fought. It taught us many lessons and still 
teaches us today. It taught a lesson to those who thought America would 
not accept the role of defender of the free world. Mr. Speaker, it is 
my hope by the time this year is over, neither the Korean War nor the 
men who fought in it will be forgotten any longer. It certainly will 
not be forgotten by the more than 50,000 families who lost loved ones 
in the Korean War.

[[Page H729]]

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Reyes).
  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time. I rise in strong support of this bill. With over 60,000 military 
retirees and veterans in my district, which includes thousands of 
Korean War veterans, I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill and to 
speak in support of its passage today.
  The 50th anniversary of the Korean War is a time for all Americans to 
reflect on the incredible sacrifices made by our men and women in 
preserving liberty on the Korean peninsula. Mr. Speaker, our Korean War 
veterans are America's heroes for their incredible courage and bravery. 
They fought for freedom under some of the harshest combat conditions 
imaginable.
  Last December I had the opportunity to visit our troops stationed in 
Korea. I saw firsthand the rough terrain and cold and cruel climate 
that our Korean veterans endured and which our troops today continue to 
bear in defense of peace along the 38th Parallel. Looking back on these 
sacrifices, none of us should ever forget the honorable service of our 
Korean War veterans, nor should we forget the sacrifices made by their 
families.
  As the Korean War memorial in Washington, D.C. reflects, freedom is 
not free. No one knows that better than our Korean War veterans. 
Millions of American soldiers left their families, friends, and their 
lives to defend the people of a faraway land, far from the United 
States. They are part of our American legacy that has always been ready 
to take up arms whenever necessary to protect our national security and 
turn back the attacks of totalitarianism. When we stand and take stock 
of the freedom and security that our Nation enjoys today, let us never 
take for granted the contributions and patriotism of our Korean War 
veterans.
  This 50th anniversary commemoration should, therefore, serve as a 
strong reminder of our gratitude to our Korean War veterans and to our 
soldiers currently deployed around the world serving proudly on behalf 
of this country. It honors the memory of those who paid the ultimate 
sacrifice for the cause of freedom and recognizes our continuing 
commitment to those who remain unaccounted and still missing. Let us 
with this resolution begin a year of remembrance and recognition.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Sweeney).
  (Mr. SWEENEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution.
  When war broke out in Korea, America plunged headlong into conflict 
half a world away without even a week's notice. Brave men and women 
from around our great nation responded immediately to the call for 
help. They left families, traveled thousands of miles from home to the 
Korean peninsula, fought fiercely for freedom, and turned back the tide 
of communist aggression.
  Some may call Korea the ``Forgotten War'', but we must never forget 
the enormous sacrifices these fine American's made. I fill with pride 
as I listen to veterans from my district speak of their Korean War 
experiences. One can only imagine the horrors of war they underwent. I 
salute those who endured the bitter cold, driving monsoon rains, nerve-
racking machine gun fire, and relentless bombardment in their 
successful attempt to protect freedom for all.
  It is time, Mr. Speaker, to recognize and honor these great 
Americans. General Matthew Ridgeway, 8th United States Army Commander, 
best described what the service men and women were fighting for under 
his command in Korea. He accurately noted ``this has long since ceased 
to be a fight for freedom for our Korean Allies alone and for their 
national survival. It has become, and it continues to be, a fight for 
our own freedom, for our own survival, in an honorable, independent 
national existence.'' Our fine men and women fought to uphold the 
principles of our democracy. They fought for our liberty.
  Let us never forget the 5,720,000 Americans who nobly served on land, 
in the air, and at sea during the Korean War. Their sacrifices were 
immeasurable and accomplishments great in places like Pusan, Chosen 
Reservoir, Yalu River, and Inchon. They faced an enemy of superior 
number, but never their equal in determination and fortitude. These 
Americans took the first stand against communism and won.
  The Korean War taught us several things which are applicable today. 
First, it reminds us to recognize, appreciate and take care of the 
veterans who fought for this country. Let us continue to build upon our 
first session successes in regards to veterans legislation. We must 
honor our commitment to veterans, as they honored their obligations in 
Korea.
  It also reminds us of the importance of having a fully manned, 
equipped, and trained force. Ready forces deter the type of aggression 
we saw exhibited in Korea. America's forces must have the resources to 
be able to protect our freedom.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in supporting House Joint Resolution 86, 
recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War. America's men and 
women served bravely and deserve our highest recognition.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Gilman), chairman of the Committee on International 
Relations.
  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time. I am pleased to rise in support of this resolution enabling 
Congress to duly recognize the significance of the 50th anniversary of 
the Korean War and allowing us to pay tribute to our armed forces who 
served and honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice or are still 
unaccounted for as a result of the Korean War. Regrettably the Korean 
veterans have not received due recognition, the Korean War having 
become known as the forgotten war. I hope we can change that 
designation.
  Those who served in Korea faced the same harrowing experiences and 
personal sacrifices that all veterans face while engaged in 
hostilities. The Korean War was the first successful multinational 
operation carried out under U.N. auspices. At the same time, the strong 
U.S. desire to keep the Soviet Union out of the conflict placed severe 
constraints on U.S. operations in Korea.
  Over the past few years, there has been a strong focus on the 2,000 
unaccounted-for POWs and MIAs of the Vietnam war. While our hearts go 
out to all the families of missing veterans, we must not forget that 
8,100 veterans are still unaccounted for in Korea. Accordingly, Mr. 
Speaker, I urge our distinguished colleagues to support H.J. Res. 86 so 
that the efforts of our Korean veterans can be duly recognized.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Puerto Rico (Mr. Romero-Barcelo).
  (Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, I want to join my colleagues in 
honoring the veterans of the Korean War on the 50th anniversary of the 
beginning of this international conflict. The men and women who served 
in the armed forces during this so-called forgotten war are to be 
commended for the sacrifices they made while fighting in this distant 
land.
  I especially want to commend the veterans from Puerto Rico who served 
our country during this period. Over 61,000 Puerto Rican soldiers 
served in Korea, constituting 8 percent of the U.S. forces. 
Individually, they received numerous awards for gallantry in combat, 
including 8 recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross and 129 
recipients of the Silver Star. The Army's most decorated unit during 
the Korean conflict was the Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Regiment, which 
was known throughout the Army as the Borinquenos, which is from the 
Indian name for Puerto Rico. In total 3,049 Puerto Ricans were wounded 
in combat and 756 gave their lives in defense of American democratic 
values. I would like to share a letter from General Douglas MacArthur, 
the Supreme Commander for the allied powers in the Korean operation, 
who wrote to the commander of the 65th Infantry on February 12, 1951:
  ``The Puerto Ricans forming the rank of the gallant 65th infantry on 
the battlefield of Korea by valor, determination and a resolute will to 
victory give daily testament to their invincible loyalty to the United 
States and the fervor of their devotion to those immutable standards of 
human relations to which the Americans and Puerto Ricans are in common 
dedicated. They are writing a brilliant record of achievement in battle 
and I am proud

[[Page H730]]

indeed to have them in this command. I wish that we may have many more 
like them.''
  I thank the gentleman for allowing me the opportunity to honor the 
sacrifices of the gallant Americans who served in the armed forces 
during the Korean War.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Barrett).
  Mr. BARRETT of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding me the time. I rise in very strong support of this resolution, 
which honors the 1.7 million Americans who served our country so 
courageously in the Korean theater. It is often called the forgotten 
war, but because of the long-term impact it has had on the world, this 
war and its veterans certainly should be anything but forgotten.
  The Department of Defense is starting a commemoration period lasting 
until 2003 to honor the many veterans who served in this war. National 
and international events are planned and an education program is under 
way to encourage study of the Korean War in high school history 
programs. I urge all Americans to take time to honor these veterans and 
reflect on the sacrifices that they made for this country.
  I served in the Navy during the Korean War, but I spent the war years 
stateside. Even though I was never in theater, I still think of the 
Korean War as the war of my generation. There were 5.7 million of us 
who served worldwide during the Korean war. Unfortunately, the veterans 
of that war have never been as honored as their counterparts who served 
in World War II just a few years before. That is why it means so much 
to me that we are now taking this opportunity 50 years later to honor 
these people.
  I rise today in strong support of this resolution which honors the 
1.7 million Americans who served our country so courageously in the 
Korean theater. The Korean War is often called the forgotten war, but 
because of the long-term impact it's had on the world, this war and its 
veterans should be anything but forgotten.
  The Korean War changed the way wars were fought in a nuclear age, and 
marked the beginning of the Cold War. Our involvement in the Korean War 
serves as a poignant reminder of the power of American efforts against 
communist aggression. Since then, we've made a forty year investment in 
South Korea, toward peace and stability in the region.
  The Department of Defense is starting a commemoration period lasting 
until 2003, to honor the many veterans who served in this war. National 
and international events are planned, and an education program is 
underway to encourage study of the Korean War in high school history 
programs. I urge all Americans to take time to honor these veterans, 
and reflect on the sacrifices they made for our country.
  I served in the Navy during the Korean War, but I spent the war years 
stateside. Even though I was never in theater, I still think of the 
Korean War as the war of my generation. There were 5.7 million of us 
who served worldwide during the Korean War.
  Unfortunately, the veterans of that War have never been as honored as 
their counterparts who served in World War II, just a few years before. 
That's why it means so much to me that we are now taking this 
opportunity--fifty years later--to say thank you to everyone who did 
their part, to protect and promote democracy. Freedom is not free, but 
protecting freedom is among the most honorable calls one can answer.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Rangel) who saw and was part of the conflict, former staff 
sergeant in the United States Army, now a distinguished and highly 
regarded Member of this Congress.
  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for giving me this 
opportunity. I guess it was in June of 1950 when I was with the 2nd 
Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington, when we heard that there 
was a police action in Korea. In July and August of that year, we were 
sent to Korea in a troop ship. Most of us were 19, 20 years old, and we 
were the first troops, American troops, from the States to go into 
Korea.
  The 24th and 25th Divisions having left from Japan going there had 
been pushed from the 38th Parallel to the Pusan Perimeter. We landed 
and had substantial casualties but managed to get close to the 38th 
Parallel. General MacArthur had the Inchon landing and then we moved 
swiftly north to the Yalu river which separated North Korea from 
Manchuria, and the entire 8th Army and the 2nd Infantry Division, of 
which I was a member, were there waiting to go home in September of 
1950.
  It was on or about this time that the Commander in Chief, Harry 
Truman, had a dispute with General MacArthur and General MacArthur left 
and dealt with the President of the United States. During this time, 
the Peoples' Volunteer Army completely surrounded the entire 8th Army, 
and on November 30, 1950, a massacre occurred of the 2nd Infantry 
Division and many of the supporting battalions that were there.
  In June, I will be taking some of those veterans back to South Korea, 
and we are attempting to revisit some of the battle sites in North 
Korea. It was strange that people found it so easy to forget the tens 
of thousands of soldiers that responded to the United Nations and 
responded to President Truman as nations of the world got together to 
stop Communism. But I do not think that this is unusual to see our 
young people doing this type of thing.
  And so whether it is World War I or II or whether it is the Korean 
War or the Vietnam War, I really think we ought to pay more attention 
to those people who take time out from their families, who put their 
lives on the line and many times are captured and give up their lives 
and then come back home to find themselves faced with getting food 
stamps and adequate pay and just plainly a lack of respect for what 
they have done.

                              {time}  1530

  It has been 50 years but we have a long way to go, and I thank the 
gentleman for giving me this opportunity to pay tribute to so many 
friends and comrades that are no longer with us today.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I associate myself with the comments of the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Rangel) and for that reason, I would say to the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), I, by way of opening, shared also 
a soldier's story of Bill Green from White County, Indiana, who is part 
of Task Force Smith and those of us today, while I am the son of a 
Korean War veteran, having served in the Gulf War, today now being on 
the Committee on Armed Services, on the committee we use the example 
that those who lived with Task Force Smith, that never again will we 
place our men and women into harm's way whereby they are not trained 
properly or do not have the adequate resources to do the job. So we 
never want what the gentleman experienced ever have to happen again to 
our forces.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam 
Johnson).
  (Mr. Sam Johnson of Texas asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Rangel) for his remarks.
  Mr. Speaker, some people know I served in Vietnam and was a POW 
there, but I think there are not too many who know that I also flew in 
Korea 62 combat missions, and we are here because the Korean War is 
referred to as the forgotten war, but we have not forgotten it.
  Frankly, I was lucky enough to fly with Johnny Glenn and Buzz Aldrin 
in the same outfit, and I remember one day we went out on the 
revetments and watched Ted Williams land a shot-up airplane. He 
sacrificed his career to fight for America in that war.
  I think oftentimes we forget there are 8,100 MIA still over there, 
that we are still searching for their remains. We have not given up.
  I also have a lot of friends from Australia, South Africa, England, 
and other countries. That was one of those wars where one made friends 
from all over the world.
  This resolution shows our strong support for all of those who fought 
and the many who died. Today there are millions of Korean War veterans 
who still remember the horrors of their experiences but would gladly 
fight again if this country called. They are individuals of honor and 
integrity, and they

[[Page H731]]

deserve to be recognized for their sacrifices to this country, 
including the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel).
  I salute them. Our Korean War era Veterans have never forgotten 
America; and we are here to say today, we will never forget them. God 
bless America.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as I was growing up in my hometown of Lexington, 
Missouri, I built model airplanes with a young man by the name of Vance 
Frick, who I learned just a few days ago passed away, a distinguished 
lawyer in the State of Missouri.
  Vance Frick was in the Air Force of the United States, was shot down, 
held captive for a long period of time in North Korea and fortunately 
was able to return to his civilian life.
  I have another friend that I would like to mention because this 
resolution really is very personal to me, the gentleman who retired not 
long ago as a major general in the United States Army Reserve. His name 
is Robert Shirkey of Kansas City, a well-known trial lawyer there. If 
one would have seen him in his uniform before he retired from the Army 
Reserve, they would have seen he wore a combat infantry badge with a 
star on top. The star indicated that he not only saw combat as an 
infantryman in one but two wars. He did yeoman's work in the Second 
World War in the Pacific in the Philippines as a member of the Alamo 
Scouts and was called upon again as a young officer to fight again in 
Korea; which he did.
  So it is with the Robert Shirkeys of America that that war was 
prosecuted, that freedom came to pass in South Korea, that the resolve 
of America became known, and that America was able to say we are the 
bastion of freedom for this globe.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. 
Buyer).
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Skelton) for yielding this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Quinn).
  Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Skelton) for yielding time to our side.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the resolution. 
Certainly as we are hearing from other speakers on both sides of the 
aisle, I join in that support. However, Mr. Speaker, I would like to 
just put a different angle on this for all of our Members who are 
listening and will come over shortly to vote. As the chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Benefits of our Committee on Veterans' Affairs, we are 
always talking about forgotten veterans, and we have heard this war be 
referred to as the forgotten war.
  I would like to suggest to all of our Members that when we have to 
fight budget numbers, when we have to talk about funding things in this 
institution of ours, that we take the opportunity to make sure that 
this forgotten war is not forgotten; that all of our veterans are not 
forgotten. We take the opportunity to fight for every single penny we 
can for our veterans who have served this country.
  So this resolution, Mr. Speaker, is absolutely the right thing to do, 
to ask our members to continue in that vein, to fight with us for 
proper funding.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Kansas 
(Mr. Moran).
  (Mr. MORAN of Kansas asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be here today as a 
Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and I am honored to 
be a sponsor of this resolution. House Joint Resolution 86 calls upon 
the people of the United States to observe the 50th anniversary of the 
Korean War with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I am pleased to 
note that in Kansas we are going to do that, and I encourage all 
citizens of my State to look for other opportunities to say thank you 
to the veterans of the Korean War.
  On July 25, 2000, the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean 
War, in Salina, Kansas, a Korean War Veterans Planning Commission is 
planning a parade and other festivities to acknowledge the service to 
our country of our Korean War veterans.
  On May 29, Memorial Day, I am planning a ceremony in Abilene, Kansas, 
at the Eisenhower Center to honor the Korean War veterans of the First 
District. I look forward to seeing them and their families there and we 
will pay tribute to their service to our country.
  Eisenhower Center is an appropriate place for this ceremony as 
President Eisenhower played a significant role. A year after he became 
President, Eisenhower obtained the truce. So today I ask that we all 
join in supporting this resolution and that Kansans and all Americans 
recognize the important role these veterans played.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from South 
Dakota (Mr. Thune).
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. Speaker, the year 2000 does recognize the 50th 
anniversary of the Korean War, and this joint resolution recognizes the 
important anniversary and sacrifices of all Members of the armed 
services who served in that conflict.
  This summer, Communist North Korean forces, fifty years ago, invaded 
across the 38th Parallel and invaded South Korea. Two days later on 
June 27, 1950, President Harry Truman called on the American forces to 
intervene; and over the next 3 years, over 5 million Americans served. 
54,000 of them died in the conflict, and when the call to duty came, 
South Dakotans were there to answer the call.
  There are 70,000 South Dakota veterans, roughly one-tenth of the 
entire population of our State. 13,200 of those veterans are Korean War 
Veterans, which is about 20 percent.
  The Korean War is often referred to as the forgotten war. This joint 
resolution will help ensure that those who served and fought to 
preserve democracy and freedom in the Korean Peninsula are never 
forgotten. This historic event is a good opportunity to pay tribute to 
our Nation's veterans and to ensure they receive the care and treatment 
they have earned in return for their service.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.J. Res. 86 sets the record straight. Never should our 
courageous veterans, whether it is Bill Green of White County, Indiana 
or my father, Dr. John Buyer, or the millions who served in the Korean 
War ever, ever, ever doubt that this Nation understands and appreciates 
their sacrifices and their contribution to freedom that we enjoy, not 
only in our Nation but around the world. We must never allow a veteran 
who fought for this Nation or a family who lost a loved one by either 
death or is missing in action to ever say that their war was a 
forgotten war.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Ewing) for 
bringing this resolution to the attention of the House and to the 
country. I urge my colleagues to send a message that the people who 
fought in Korea will not be forgotten and to vote in favor of adoption 
of the resolution.
  I thank the ranking member, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Skelton), for his words in support of this resolution and for his 
contribution to the House.
  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House 
Joint Resolution 86, legislation I am an original cosponsor of to 
recognize the 50th anniversary of the Korean War.
  It was on June 25, 1950 that Communist North Korean forces crossed 
the 38th Parallel and invaded South Korea. Two days later, on June 27, 
1950, President Harry S. Truman called on American military forces to 
intervene and protect South Korea's democratically elected government 
and the freedom of the South Korea's democratically elected government 
and the freedom of the South Korean people. Over the next three years, 
5,720,000 Americans would respond to the call to service.
  After three years of battle, the fighting came to an end on July 27, 
1953. The American casualties were high. More than 54,000 paid the 
ultimate price in the defense of freedom, another 92,000 suffered 
casualties, and 8,176 soldiers never returned home and are listed as 
missing in action.
  Mr. Speaker, the Korean War is often referred to as the forgotten 
war. Tell that to the families of the more than 158,000 Americans who 
died, were wounded, or remain missing in action in Korea. Tell that to 
the People of

[[Page H732]]

South Korea who were able to repel the onslaught of Communism and 
remain free. Our nation and the entire world owe a debt of gratitude to 
the millions of Americans, Allied and South Korean troops that defended 
a free nation. It is fitting that today our nation pays tribute to 
veterans of the forgotten war and promises that they will never be 
forgotten.
  This resolution expresses the appreciation and gratitude of this 
Congress and the American people for those who served in uniform during 
the Korean War. It honors the memory of those who died, were wounded, 
or never returned home. And it calls upon the President and communities 
throughout our nation to observe the anniversary of this conflict with 
all the appropriate and just-deserved ceremonies and activities.
  Mr. Speaker, this victory over the forces of evil served as a 
stepping stone to the ultimate demise of communism almost 40 years 
later, when President Reagan uttered those now famous words, ``Mr. 
Gorbechev, tear down this wall.'' Our nation has taken great pride in 
honoring its commitment to provide the best in medical care, 
compensation, and services to those who have fought to preserve freedom 
throughout the world. At a time when American servicemen have taken up 
humanitarian causes half-way around the globe, it is essential that 
Congress continues to send a strong signal that our nation will make 
good on its promises to all veterans. It is my hope that in this 50th 
anniversary year of the Korean War, every American school child will 
learn of the sacrifices and victories of so many courageous Americans. 
We owe our Korean veterans nothing less.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
House Joint Resolution 86, which recognizes the 50th anniversary of the 
Korean War. I thank my colleague Congressman Tom Ewing for introducing 
this legislation and for helping to bring it to the House floor today.
  The resolution seeks to end the Korean War's unfortunate status as 
the ``Forgotten War.'' We must never, ever forget the more than 90,000 
veterans who were wounded in combat between 1950-1953. We must never, 
ever forget the 54,000 who died in a just and righteous cause. We must 
never, ever forget the more than 8,000 men who are still unaccounted 
for--missing in action. We must also never forget the immense 
sacrifices of our allies--particularly the South Korean people 
themselves. They, too, suffered terribly from the North's invasion.
  The resolution we have before us today is a painful, but powerful 
reminder of the immense sacrifices made by the 5.72 million Americans 
who bravely responded to the call of duty. We are all personally 
grateful for their service and their many sacrifices. Ensuring that the 
50th anniversary Korean War is appropriately recognized is the least we 
can do to honor these brave Americans.
  Beyond recognizing the sacrifices made in blood, sweat and tears, we 
must also remember how pivotal the Korean War was to halting the spread 
of Communism worldwide. The sacrifices made by American soldiers on 
battlefields and mountains of the Korean peninsula helped make the 
containment of Communism, and its eventual demise, a reality some four 
decades later. Reflecting on the conflicts of the 20th Century, 
Communism along with Nazism will certainly go down as one of the great 
stains on humanity's soul. Communism was responsible for more raw 
bloodshed, misery, and horror than any other single idea in the history 
of mankind.
  The Korean War has many elements and characteristic that are unique 
to this struggle for freedom. For instance, the dangers from enemy 
bullets and bayonets was compounded by the extreme weather conditions 
of the Korean peninsula. In several battles of the Korean War, not only 
were American troops forced to fend off enemy fire in difficult 
terrain, but they had to do it sub-zero temperatures. Veterans lost 
limbs and fingers to frostbite. Others died outright from exposure. 
Veterans will tell you that nothing saps morale faster than being 
freezing cold. Yet for many years thereafter, these veterans received 
no disability rating from the VA that recognized their exposure to 
these harsh conditions.
  During the 105th Congress I introduced legislation to create a 
presumptive disability for veterans with cold weather injury, to help 
those veterans of the Korean War and other conflicts receive the 
treatment and benefits they need and deserve. In response to the bill, 
the Department of Veterans' Affairs changed its regulations to make 
them more friendly to veterans who suffered from cold weather injuries. 
Those whose sacrifices were forgotten were finally being recognized, 
even if this recognition was long overdue.
  One last point. I think it is particularly appropriate that on the 
50th anniversary of the Korean War, that we remember the painful 
lessons of this conflict. There is a lot of feeling among historians 
that Secretary of State Dean Acheson's failure in January 1950 to 
clearly delineate South Korea as being within the U.S. defense 
perimeter in the Pacific lured the Communist Chinese and North Koreans 
into believing the U.S. would not respond to an invasion. 50 years 
later, I fear our nation is dangerously close to making the same 
mistake on the issue of Taiwan. If our nation fails to make it clear to 
the same Communist Chinese leadership that the United States will 
respond with decisive military force to any attempt by the People's 
Republic of China to invade Taiwan, Korean War veterans who went over 
at age 25 may be in the uniquely painful position of watching their 25 
year-old grandchildren pay the price for appeasement once again.
  So, I want to thank Congressman Ewing again for introducing this 
resolution, and especially thank Korean War veterans for their heroic 
sacrifices.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues 
to commemorate those heroic Americans who served in the Korean War--
some of whom serve in this House.
  Mr. Speaker, like my colleagues, it bothers me that this War is 
called the ``Forgotten War.'' The brave men and women who sacrificed 
their lives fighting the iron fist of communism and defending freedom 
shall not be forgotten.
  I will never forget the 5 million, seven hundred thousand service men 
and women who heeded the call to serve America and protect the World 
from Communism's attack on South Korea.
  Mr. Speaker, the reported 33,665 battle deaths, or the 8,176 soldiers 
listed as ``Missing in Action'' or ``Prisoners of War'' can never be 
forgotten. These heroes made the ultimate sacrifice, for which our 
nation is eternally grateful.
  I represent a Congressional district in Florida where many Veterans 
have chosen to retire. Many of these Veterans served in the Korean War. 
When I ask them about their time in the service, they tell me, 
``Congressman, we just do not want to be forgotten.''
  And so, Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today and say 
once again, ``Thank You'' to those courageous Americans who fought to 
protect our freedom. As the Korean War Veterans Memorial here in 
Washington, DC expressly reads: ``Freedom is not Free.''
  As we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War, this year, 
we must not forget to thank those selfless Veterans of the Korean War.
  Thank you, Mr. Ewing for drafting this legislation.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 50th Anniversary of 
the Korean War. It is often called ``the forgotten war,'' but for the 
men and women who served there and for the families of those who did 
not return, the Korean war will never be forgotten.
  Only 5 years had passed since the end of World War II when another 
international conflict erupted. On June 25, 1950, the communist forces 
of North Korea crossed the 38th Parallel and invaded South Korea. The 
American response was almost immediate. Two days later, President Harry 
Truman called upon America's military to intervene, and the United 
States led a United Nations force to the Asian peninsula.
  Over the next 3 years, over 5 million American men and women answered 
the call to duty, eventually defeating communism's attack on South 
Korea. Over 92,000 of these brave Americans would be wounded during the 
conflict. Approximately 8,100 would become missing in action or 
prisoners of war. By the time the fighting ended, 54,260 Americans 
would have paid the ultimate sacrifice--giving their lives in the 
defense of freedom.
  While communism's defeat would come almost 40 years after our victory 
in the Korean War, the significance of what our soldiers won there 
cannot be understated. Our Korean War veterans must never be forgotten. 
As a Korean War era veteran, I salute these brave men and women.
  I am proud to be an original cosponsor of H.J. Res. 86 and urge my 
colleagues to support this important resolution.
  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the men and women 
who served at a time in history when a war weary world longed for the 
quiet of peace.
  The dedication to duty by our service men and women during the Korean 
war is a testament to the strength of our Nation's ideals and 
principles of democracy. It is right and fitting that during the 50th 
Anniversary of that sometimes forgotten war, we in Congress and the 
Nation, honor the service of Americans who helped defend the rights and 
freedoms of the people of the Republic of Korea.
  We cannot forget and should not forget the countless sacrifices and 
hardships that these brave men and women endured at the outset of this 
war. We cannot forget the free nations of the world that banded 
together to fight the tide of aggression along the 38th parallel. We 
cannot forget the more than 36,000 American lives lost in the defense 
of democracy and freedom. We cannot and should not forget the hundreds 
and thousands of Korean War veterans whom we honor today on this House

[[Page H733]]

floor, who still suffer the scars and pains of this conflict.
  At a time in history where we see American service man and women 
deployed throughout the world, we cannot forget the men and women who 
went before them, who shouldered the burden of democracy and raised the 
torch of freedom for those who could not carry it by themselves.
  Mr. Speaker, this Congress will not forget, nor will future 
generations of Americans who owe their liberty to these dedicated men 
and women who served us during the Korean War. I am proud to support 
this legislation and urge my colleagues to continue to work on behalf 
of all our Nation's veterans that we may never forget to whom we owe 
our freedom.
  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today as a 
cosponsor of H.J. Res. 86, which recognizes and honors the 50th 
Anniversary of the Korean War. It is high time that we stand up and 
recognize the veterans who fought in this ``Forgotten War,'' both in 
the Korean Theater and on the homefront.
  These men and women have no ``Saving Private Ryan'' to stand as a 
testament to their heroism or to record their contribution to our 
security and our freedom. They have no spokesman on the national level 
to bring attention to their attention to their sacrifices, like 
Senators Dole and McCain have done for World War II and Vietnam. They 
are, however, no less deserving of our thanks and our gratitude.
  As it reads on the side of the Korean War Memorial, ``Freedom is not 
free.'' And no one knows that better than the men and women called upon 
to serve after the Communist forces invaded South Korea early on the 
morning on June 25, 1950.
  In the shadow of a great war and a clear-cut victory, at the start of 
a period of amazing prosperity at home, America's sons and daughters 
went to serve half a world away. They ``answered a call to defend a 
country they never knew and a people they never met.'' They did so 
bravely, under adverse conditions, in a conflict that lasted far longer 
than most people predicted.
  Over 19,000 Americans were killed in action in Korea. Nearly 800 of 
those who died in the war called New Jersey home, including over 30 
from Morris County. Countless more of New Jersey's sons and daughters 
were among the nearly 1.5 million who served in the Korean Theater 
during the war, and millions more who served on the homefront.
  There is one veteran who returned to New Jersey that I want to take a 
moment to honor named Joe Klapper. Joe was a tank commander during the 
war, and took part in the battle on Heartbreak Ridge. Joe was awarded 
the Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge and the Legion of Honor as a 
result of his service in Korea, and was fortunate to return home from 
the war to start a family. Joe was a ``veterans veteran,'' who worked 
tirelessly on behalf of his colleagues from Korea, and those who served 
during other wars as well. Sadly, Joe passed away last September. Had 
Joe been with us today, he would have been pleased to know that he and 
his fellow Korean War Veterans were finally getting some of the 
recognition they so bravely earned, and so rightly deserve.
  But we must not let today be the only day we honor Joe and those who 
served with him in the war. I commend the many veterans in my home 
state of New Jersey who are pushing ahead plans to construct a memorial 
to our Korean War Veterans. In fact, next week, on March 14, veterans 
from across the state will gather in Atlantic City for the 
groundbreaking of this memorial. It may seem odd to place a monument to 
our nation's warriors on the busy, bustling Atlantic City boardwalk, 
but perhaps this central, well-travelled location will provide my 
state's forgotten heroes with some well-deserved, if belated, 
recognition.
  I urge all my colleagues today to support H.J. Res. 86 and honor the 
legacy of the aging warriors who answered our nation's call to serve in 
Korea. These are the men and women who, as Korean War veteran and 
former FBI Director William Sessions ably noted, ``suffered greatly and 
by their heroism in a thousand forgotten battles they added a luster to 
the codes we hold most dear: ``duty, honor, country, fidelity, bravery, 
integrity.''
  Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.J. Res. 86, 
recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Korean War and honoring the 
dedication of American soldiers who served in this conflict.
  On August 14, 1945 an agreement was signed which divided Korea at the 
38th parallel. The northern part of the country was transferred to 
Soviet control, while the southern portion was placed under control of 
the United States. Five years later, on June 25, 1950, in the early 
morning hours, the North Korean People's Army invaded South Korea with 
seven assault infantry divisions, a tank brigade, and two independent 
infantry regiments.
  Despite a prompt response by the United Nations Security Council 
calling for an end of aggression from North Korea. The fighting 
escalated. Five days later on June 30th, 1950, the fate of American 
involvement in the Korean aggression was sealed. On that day, president 
Truman ordered U.S. ground forces into Korea and authorized the bombing 
of North Korea by the U.S. Air Force.
  Three years later, 33,629 Americans were dead, 103,248 were wounded, 
3,746 were captured and repatriated, and 8,142 were still missing in 
action. On July 27, 1953, the cease-fire was signed by Lieutenant 
General Nam II and Lieutenant General William K. Harrison at 10:00 am 
at Panmunjom. The Korean war had ended, but Americans had paid a heavy 
price to preserve freedom.
  As an American and a patriot, I believe we have an obligation to 
remember and honor our nation's veterans. They fought to maintain and 
preserve our nation's pride and beliefs. What kind of men and women are 
these that we honor for their heroism and selfless sacrifice in Korea? 
They are Americans from all walks of life; ordinary people like our 
mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles. Americans who were inspired by 
the cause to defend our country, to protect and preserve our freedom.
  American troops, time and again, have paid the supreme sacrifice for 
our nation's freedom. Many people refer to the Korean War as the 
forgotten war. Thirty-three thousand American soldiers perished in this 
``Forgotten War''. We must never forget the ultimate sacrifice these 
brave men and women offered for the sake of freedom and democracy.
  Mr. Speaker, as the son of a veteran, I am proud to join my fellow 
members in acknowledging the anniversary of the Korean War and saluting 
the hundreds of thousands of servicemen who answered to the call of 
duty.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House 
Joint Resolution 86.
  In the year 2000 we will observe the 50th anniversary of the Korean 
War. I think it is appropriate that we pause to look back and reflect 
on the contributions and the sacrifices of all the members of the Armed 
Forces who served in the Korean War. Approximately 5 million, 720,000 
service members, including my husband served in the Korean War which 
began on June 25, 1950 and ended on July 27, 1953.
  The majority of Americans living today were born after the Korean War 
ended or are too young to remember anything about the Korea Era. 
Perhaps that is one reason the Korean War is often referred to as the 
``Forgotten War.'' The purpose of this joint resolution on the Floor of 
the House today is to ensure that those who served, fought and died in 
Korea are never again forgotten.
  In 1953, the Internet did not exist and in fact many homes had not 
yet acquired the era's latest technology--which was television--in 
black and white!
  However, technological innovations made during the Korean War became 
part of the development of the U.S. armed services into the fine tuned 
machine it is today. It was in Korea that the U.S. began to learn that 
science and technology, not just manpower, was the key to winning 
conflicts.
  Emphasis was given to protecting the combat soldier on the ground, 
and individual weapons to stop heavy armor were developed.
  The helicopter became a tool to rescue downed airmen or to transport 
wounded soldiers to newly created Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) 
units, which moved with the troops. Plasma, the clear, yellowish 
portion of blood, was used in war for the first time to save lives.
  Korea was the first integrated war for the United States. For the 
first time in U.S. history, black Americans fought alongside white 
Americans.
  Public support for the Korean War, called a ``police action'' by 
President Truman in order to send troops without a declaration of war, 
was never equivalent to World War II.
  Men and women went to fight the war, received the support of their 
families, but did not experience the triumphal welcome home of World 
War II veterans. They came home quietly, got jobs, and America forgot 
them.
  Tainted by the fact that a few American prisoners of war had 
collaborated with the communists and 21 had refused to return home, the 
American people questioned the integrity of American troops. This would 
become America's first ``unpopular'' war.
  In the late spring of 1953, after two years of stalemate and the 
failure of the last Chinese offensive, an armistice was signed. The 
artillery fell silent, the machine guns and rifles grew quiet. On July 
27, 1953, the fighting had ended.
  But many Americans have somehow forgotten this terrible conflict. How 
can it be that a war that cost the lives of so many Americans and 
wounded twice as many more, and also took the lives of millions of 
Koreans and Chinese, could be so overlooked by history?
  For many Korean War veterans, the war has remained clear in their 
memories. Their sacrifices are as real today as they were 50 years ago.

[[Page H734]]

  I am proud to be one of the 210 Members who have cosponsored this 
resolution to pay tribute to the service members of the Korean War. We 
commend their valor, their selfless sacrifice and their love of 
country.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all our colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join with my colleague from 
Illinois, Congressman Tom Ewing, as on original cosponsor of H.J. Res. 
86, a joint resolution which recognizes the 50th Anniversary of the 
Korean War. We live in peace today, and we owe our freedom as much to 
those who risked or sacrificed their lives in Korea as we do to the 
other brave men and women who have defended this Nation in the past 
century.
  The bitter war in Korea was one of the defining conflicts of the 20th 
Century. Communist North Korea initiated the conflict on June 25, 1950 
when it invaded South Korea with approximately 135,000 troops. 
President Harry S. Truman and the United Nations determined that this 
was an act of naked aggression that could not stand and committed 
ground, air and naval forces. Some 5,720,000 Americans served in the 
Armed Forces during the Korean War.
  When it was over, the world was drawn up into two camps that nobody 
could envision ever changing. Korea was the initial confrontation of 
the nuclear age, a time President John F. Kennedy once described as 
``the hour of maximum peril.''
  There was a time when people called Korea ``the Forgotten War.'' 
Korean War veterans never felt they were accorded the respect and 
thanks of a grateful National in fair measure. Some 4.1 million Korean 
War veterans are alive today. They returned home with the same kinds of 
injuries and needs as veterans of any major war. And make no mistake 
about it--Korea was a major war.
  The decisive struggles of the past century were the wars against 
totalitarianism. The World War II generation faced the Axis powers with 
distinction and valor. Those who served in Korea--and those who 
bolstered our defenses around the globe during the Korean War--faced 
the forces of Stalinism with honor and great courage. That same honor 
and courage were displayed in a long series of wars and struggles that 
led to the fall of the Soviet empire.
  For those of us in the Vietnam generation, the Korean War was never 
``the Forgotten War.'' It was part of our youth. I join my colleagues 
in honoring these gallant men and women.
  I am honored to cosponsor this bipartisan joint resolution, which 
recognizes the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War and honors the 
sacrifice of those who served. Once again, I take this opportunity to 
say ``Thank you.''
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ose). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution, H.J. Res. 86, as 
amended.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. EWING. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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