[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 80 (Thursday, June 22, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S5659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      DEDICATION OF KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL IN TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, on June 25, 1950, Communist North 
Korea invaded South Korea with approximately 135,000 troops, and in 
doing so initiated the Korean War. On June 25, 2000, the citizens of 
Traverse City, Michigan, will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of this 
unfortunate event, and will recognize the efforts of the many men and 
women who served the United States Armed Forces during the Korean War, 
with the dedication of a Korean War Memorial.
  The Korean War is often referred to as our ``forgotten war.'' Fought 
between World War II and the Vietnam War, I believe it safely can be 
said that it never found its proper place among our Nation's history 
textbooks. This weekend, the 50th Anniversary of the North Korean 
invasion, provides all of us with an opportunity to take a moment to 
recognize the men and women who served in the Korean War--nearly six 
million individuals. Their sacrifices and contributions for the sake of 
our Nation must never be overlooked or forgotten.
  Earlier this year, I was very pleased to co-sponsor Senate Joint 
Resolution 39, a bicameral resolution that recognizes the 50th 
Anniversary of the Korean War, and the service by the members of our 
Armed Forces during that conflict. Today, I am pleased to do my part to 
ensure that the Korean War ceases to be thought of as our ``forgotten 
war.'' There is no doubt in my mind--and there should be no doubt in 
anyone else's--that the men and women who served in Korea, and 
particularly the 54,260 soldiers who gave their lives in Korea, deserve 
much better than that.
  Local communities can do much to remedy the situation as well. I 
commend Traverse City, Michigan, for constructing this Korean War 
memorial, and for taking the opportunity on Sunday, June 25, 2000, to 
pay tribute to the men and women who served during the Korean War. We 
must show these men and women that we appreciate their efforts and 
sacrifices on behalf on our great Nation, and that we thank them for 
their extraordinary efforts. In doing this, we will illustrate to them 
that they have not been forgotten; rather, the case is far from this.
  Mr. President, the men and women who served our Nation in Korea did 
so at a time when its very foundation--democracy--was being threatened 
by the terrible force of communism. On behalf of the entire United 
States Senate, I congratulate the citizens of Traverse City, Michigan, 
for recognizing and honoring this service.

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