[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 45 (Tuesday, April 11, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E537-E538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO GRAND MASTER JHOON GOO RHEE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. NICK SMITH

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 11, 2000

  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor today to recognize 
a great American on the occasion of his recent selection by the 
National Immigrant Forum, in conjunction with the Immigration and 
Naturalization Service, as one of 200 most famous American immigrants 
of all time: Grand Master Jhoon Goo Rhee.
  Master Rhee, who shares the honor with such American icons as Albert 
Einstein, Hyman Rickover and Knute Rockne, is the sole immigrant of 
Korean ancestry to make the list. Well known as one of the world's 
foremost authorities on the martial arts and recognized as the father 
of Tae Kwon Do in the United States, Grand Master Rhee has established 
himself as more than just a famous instructor. But his road to success 
and achieving the American dream wasn't easy, nor would he have wanted 
it that way.
  When Jhoon Rhee came to the United States in 1956, he spoke little 
English and had less money--$46 to be exact. Still, he enrolled at 
Southwest Texas State Teachers College in San Marcos determined to 
create a better life for himself. Although at first it took him a half-
hour to read one page of text, he became increasingly proficient in 
English through discipline and perseverance, traits that for decades he 
has so eloquently translated from the martial arts for people from all 
walks of life.
  Those traits also are the core of his action philosophy, a philosophy 
grounded in the principles of the martial arts, but applicable to 
everyone. It calls for people to build confidence through knowledge in 
the mind, honesty in the heart and strength in the body, and then to 
lead by example.
  Leading by example is exactly what Master Rhee does. Despite his 68 
years, each day as part of his daily stretching and meditation regimen, 
he does 1,000 push-ups and 1,000 sit-ups. Not even the fittest 20 year-
old can match those feats. But the discipline, determination and 
perseverance involved are life lessons that far transcend martial arts 
and athleticism. He has enabled people everywhere to realize their 
potential and apply themselves successfully to whatever it is they set 
themselves to do. It's the philosophy Master Rhee embraced so long ago 
and which has stood the test of time--the same philosophy which took 
him from someone who barely could speak the language of his new 
country, to one of the world's most sought-after motivational speakers.
  There is no dream too large for Grand Master Rhee, but I'm sure even 
he has difficulty comprehending how many millions of people around the 
world owe their positive, constructive ways of living to his wholesome 
influences.
  Many of our colleagues, Mr. Speaker, know first hand Master Rhee's 
call to realize the aspects of life larger than self. We know this 
because he founded the U.S. Congressional Tae Kwon Do Club and has 
taught more than 250 current or former Members of Congress not only the 
art of Tae Kwon Do, but also the art of living a healthier and happier 
life. We know the affection he engenders to all who make his 
acquaintance, whether through athletics, business or when hearing his 
motivational presentation.
  Master Rhee's success is wide ranging. Aside from his accomplishments 
in Tae Kwon Do and in training world-class athletes, he has starred in 
feature films, authored a number of books, served as a goodwill 
ambassador and started a hugely successful business venture. He also is 
held in the highest regard as an innovator and teacher.
  But perhaps where he excels most is in an area that is missing so 
dearly in today's world--the role of husband, father and citizen. Jhoon 
Rhee deports himself with the utmost respect and dignity for those with 
whom he deals and with society in general. For more than 50 years, he 
has embraced the role model aspect of a life that comes with 
international renown, a role taken for granted by so many and perfected 
by so few. He gladly accepts the responsibility of presenting himself 
and his way of life as an emblem to be worn proudly.
  This is not just my assessment. His contributions to buttress 
America's culture with pride and decorum are echoed by many 
distinguished citizens in and out of government. Among his biggest fans 
are boxing legend Muhammad Ali, Parade magazine Publisher Walter 
Anderson and motivational speaker Tony Robbins. Jack Valenti of the 
motion Picture Association of America has said, ``Master Rhee defies 
the assumed rush of years. He is an ageless patriot, whose brand of 
unbreakable loyalty is seldom seen. . . .''
  Our esteemed colleague Ike Skelton says, ``Master Rhee is an American 
treasure.'' Our esteemed former colleague Bob Livingston says it quite 
simply: ``Master Rhee is one of the greatest Americans I know.''
  At an age when even the most industrious of people tend to enjoy the 
leisure of their later years, Master Rhee at age 68 continues with 
remarkable energy to exert his positive influence on people of all ages 
throughout the country and the globe. He has recently launched a new 
global project, the JhoonRhee.com Web site, where he continues to 
promote the martial arts, fitness, the healing arts and a way of life 
whereby, in his words, ``Everybody is happy with every breath of 
life.''
  On March 17, 1992, President George Bush named Master Rhee one of his 
Daily Points of Light. President Bush said, ``The true measure of any 
individual is found in the way he or she treats others--and the person 
who regards others with love, respect and charity holds a priceless 
treasure in his heart . . .  any definition of a successful life must 
include others. Your efforts provide a shining example of this 
standard.''
  Master Rhee's devotion to the principles of America's Founding 
Fathers is unsurpassed. He instills in his countrymen the Founders' 
vision and demonstrates the power of that vision to people throughout 
the world to show

[[Page E538]]

them the path to freedom, peace and prosperity. He understands that 
everyone on this planet has the right to be happy. But to achieve that 
happiness, individuals must accept the foundation of perfect human 
character that entails exercising true freedom approved by one's 
conscience, and never to practice false freedom licensed by 
selfishness.
  Master Rhee is a proud American who cherishes the words freedom, free 
enterprise, democracy and heritage. He lives the American Dream. 
Indeed, he exemplifies it. He inspires all, and with a special 
enthusiasm toward the young, to live lives of honor and integrity. The 
eloquence and conviction of his message to live noble lives of grand 
purpose penetrates the most hardened hearts and cynical souls.
  His accomplishments are legion. A 10th Degree Black Belt, he 
introduced the martial arts to Russia in the early 1990s, where now 
there are 65 studios that bear his mane. He is the author of five books 
on Tae Kwon Do, a member of the Black Belt Hall of Frame and the 
recipient of the National Association of Professional Martial Artists' 
Lifetime Achievement Award.
  He was named by Black Belt Magazine as one of the top two living 
martial artists of the 20th Century and also as ``Martial Arts Man of 
the Century'' by the Washington, D.C., Touchdown Club. He has been 
featured on the cover of Parade, collaborated on several projects with 
Bruce Lee and had the lead role in the films. When Tae Kwon Do Strikes 
and The Silent Master. Additionally, he created and choreographed the 
martial arts ballet--the basis for today's popular ``musical forms'' 
competition--and invented and implemented the safety equipment used in 
major open tournaments, including the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
  I would like to summarize some of Master Rhee's accomplishments, a 
truly impressive list of famous firsts. He was the--
  First master to teach Tae Kwon Do in America: Master Rhee introduced 
Tae Kwon Do to America in 1956.
  First master to work out to music: Master Rhee created the Martial 
Arts Ballet and gave birth to the Exercise to Music craze.
  First master to invent safety equipment: Master Rhee invented martial 
arts safety equipment after one of his students was injured in a 
competition. The introduction of safety equipment enabled martial arts 
studios to get insurance. Because of that, parents began to send their 
kids to martial arts instructors, and the martial arts industry was 
born.
  First master to promote martial arts in the U.S. through television 
advertising.
  First master to use the color belt system: At one time, martial arts 
awarded only white, brown or black belts. Master Rhee introduced the 
color belt award system now used worldwide.
  First master who also is a concert musician: Master Rhee was the 
featured musician with the Washington Symphony Orchestra. He played 
classical music on the harmonica.
  First master to require black belt scholastic excellence: For more 
than 30 years, Master Rhee has required his students to maintain a 
``B'' average or better to qualify for a black belt.
  First master to train Members of Congress in martial arts: Master 
Rhee founded the U.S. Congressional Tae Kwon Do Club, where he has 
taught Members of Congress without interruption since 1965.
  First American to open martial arts studios in the Soviet Union: 
Master Rhee first traveled to Moscow in 1991 to teach Tae Kwon Do and 
now has 65 Jhoon Rhee Do studios throughout the Commonwealth of 
Independent States. Learning English is a requirement for a black belt.
  First to teach martial arts in America's public schools: Master Rhee 
launched his Joy of Discipline program of martial arts and character 
education in America's public schools in the early 1980s.
  First Tae Kwon Do master to star in his own movies: Master Rhee 
starred with Angela Mao in When Tae Kwon Do Strikes. As Grand Master 
Lee, he is the underground leader of a group of patriots in Japanese 
occupied Korea.
  First martial artist to train a world heavyweight boxing champion: 
Master Rhee taught the legendary Bruce Lee his kicking techniques, and 
Bruce Lee taught him how to punch. Master Rhee then taught Muhammad Ali 
what Ali later called his powerful ``Accu-punch.'' Ali used it in 1976 
to knock out Bruce Denn in Munich and also in the Joe Frazier 
heavyweight title bout.
  First martial artist to be named Man of the Century: And now, Master 
Rhee is the first and only native Korean to be named as one of 
America's top 200 immigrants of all time. Mr. Speaker, the National 
Immigrant Forum made a wise choice. He is a man of character and the 
prototype role model for the new century. I can think of few others so 
worthy of such a designation.

                          ____________________