[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 76 (Tuesday, June 11, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H3410-H3412]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS CONCERNING 2002 WORLD CUP AND CO-HOSTS 
                      REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND JAPAN

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 394) expressing the sense of the 
Congress concerning the 2002 World Cup and co-hosts Republic of Korea 
and Japan.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 394

       Whereas the United States has developed close relationships 
     with the Republic of Korea and Japan;
       Whereas the Republic of Korea and Japan have been close 
     allies with the United States in the war against terrorism;
       Whereas the Republic of Korea and Japan will co-host the 
     2002 Federation International Football Association (FIFA) 
     World Cup Korea/Japan;
       Whereas the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan will be the 
     first FIFA World Cup to be held in Asia;
       Whereas 32 nations have been qualified to compete from May 
     31 through June 30 of 2002, and will send some 1,500 coaches 
     and athletes to the Republic of Korea and Japan, making this 
     year's World Cup the largest ever;
       Whereas the Korean and Japanese organizing committees for 
     the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan have effectively directed 
     the preparations for unprecedented security precautions in 
     both host nations;
       Whereas during the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan, 
     billions of people are expected to view the competition;
       Whereas the co-hosting of the FIFA World Cup by the 
     Republic of Korea and Japan symbolizes the friendly relations 
     between the two host nations, both key allies of the United 
     States; and
       Whereas the co-hosting of this international sporting event 
     contributes to enhancing peace and stability in Northeast 
     Asia: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) appreciates the mutually beneficial relationship 
     between the United States and the Republic of Korea and the 
     United States and Japan;
       (2) commends the Republic of Korea/Japan 2002 FIFA World 
     Cup organizers for the attention they have given to security 
     precautions during the event; and
       (3) recognizes and applauds the cooperation of the 
     President of the Republic of Korea, Kim Dae-jung, and the 
     Prime Minister of Japan, Junichiro Koizumi, in the hosting of 
     the largest and most widely viewed World Cup competition in 
     the history of the sport.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. 
Faleomavaega) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce).


                             General Leave

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on this concurrent resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of this measure which expresses the sense of 
Congress concerning the 2002 World Cup co-hosted by the Republic of 
Korea and by Japan. Soccer's World Cup, the biggest sporting event in 
the world, is underway in Korea and Japan. The sport that Pele, the 
greatest soccer player of all time, dubbed ``the beautiful game'' will 
have a TV audience that will be in the billions of people.
  We are less than 2 weeks into the month-long tournament, and already 
it promises to be one of the most exciting in the history of the game. 
From the opening match, where the small African nation of Senegal 
knocked off defending world champion France, to the United States' 
unthinkable victory over the European powerhouse Portugal, we have seen 
some of the biggest upsets in history. Both co-hosts, Korea and Japan, 
have earned their first World Cup wins ever.
  There is more going on here than simply sport. Throughout history, 
sport has played a role in bringing nations together and helping them 
to reconcile their differences. Japan and Korea historically have had a 
troubled relationship. For the first World Cup held in Asia, soccer's 
governing body

[[Page H3411]]

chose both Japan and South Korea as co-hosts. Many were skeptical of 
this arrangement; after all, Korea and Japan have never before 
cooperated on anything of such significance.
  For those unfamiliar with the history of Korea-Japan relations, the 
challenge of co-organizing a soccer tournament may seem insignificant. 
In fact, while the logistical and infrastructure challenges are 
immense, they are arguably dwarfed by the cultural and political 
challenges. Building stadiums is a lot less complicated than building 
trust and, potentially, building a new era in the Korea-Japan 
relationship.
  Over the years, Korea and Japan have worked together planning for the 
world's biggest sporting event. As co-chairman of the U.S.-Republic of 
Korea Interparliamentary Exchange, I traveled to Korea 2 years ago and 
will be meeting Korean parliamentarians again this summer. Through this 
exchange, I have talked with my colleagues in the Korean National 
Assembly about the difficulties and importance of staging this year's 
World Cup. They have indicated to me how it has brought the two 
countries closer together. Seoul's ambassador to Tokyo has even 
declared that ``the two co-hosts are archrivals turned friends.''
  Soccer is without a doubt a modern common language among young 
Asians. What is clear is that the young people of Korea and Japan who 
are the most vocal soccer fans are taking a second look at one another. 
Perhaps this younger generation may find it easier to reconcile the 
past. Indeed, Japan-Korea relations have warmed to such an extent that 
10,000 people now travel between the two countries every day. In a 
world that is suffering from what seems to be intensifying animosities, 
we should notice when tempers are cooling, when old wounds are healing.
  I want to just take a moment to congratulate the United States team 
on its result so far and wish them luck throughout the rest of the 
tournament. The United States entered the tournament as long shots. For 
its first match, the Portuguese boasted the best player in the world, 
and the United States was without its captain and its most prolific 
scorer due to injury. Yet the U.S. went on to shock Portugal, building 
up a 3-0 lead and hanging on to win it 3 to 2.
  In many ways, the United States team represents the best of this 
country. Some players are the sons of immigrants. Others, like 20-year-
old Landon Donovan and DeMarcus Beasley, also represent the exuberant 
youth of this Nation; and I would be remiss if I did not mention the 
reserve midfielder Eddie Lewis because he is from Cerritos, California, 
which is in my district.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I want to first thank the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Royce) for his leadership in managing this piece 
of legislation, and I rise in strong support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, during this month the entire globe is entranced and 
spellbound with the developments of the World Cup.
  The World Cup, Mr. Speaker, is soccer's international championship, 
which is only held once every 4 years, and is bigger even than the 
Super Bowl, more intensely followed than even the World Series, and a 
quantum leap in global importance compared even to the NBA finals. 
While we in America may not be fully informed, in short, the World Cup 
is the largest and most important spectacle of sport on this planet and 
is watched by literally billions of people around the world.
  Mr. Speaker, as we deliberate, the first World Cup of the 21st 
century is being hosted by our friends and allies in the Asia Pacific 
region, the Republic of Korea and Japan; and I am honored to be a co-
sponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 394, which commemorates this 
historic, groundbreaking occasion.
  I extend my deepest appreciation to the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Royce) and also my colleague on this side of the aisle, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Becerra), for their foresight and 
diligence in introducing this important legislation; and I certainly 
further commend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), the Chairman, 
and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), the ranking Democratic 
member, of our Committee on International Relations for their support 
in ensuring timely consideration of this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, the hosting of the World Cup by South Korea and Japan is 
historically significant for many reasons. To begin with, this will be 
the first time that the World Cup will take place in the Asia region. 
Furthermore, this will be the first time that two nations have jointly 
hosted the quadrennial soccer championship. Of even greater importance 
in symbolic significance, Mr. Speaker, is the opportunity that this 
World Cup presents for healing and repairing historic rifts or 
rivalries between South Korea and Japan.
  As many Members may be aware, relations between our two allies still 
remain highly sensitive, even given the legacy of what had happened 
during World War II. It is good to see that progress has already 
occurred. It is a sign of respect to its neighbors and co-hosts that 
even members of Japan's Imperial family attended the World Cup opening 
ceremonies in Seoul, the first-ever visit to South Korea by the 
Imperial family.
  Additionally, at the opening ceremonies, Japanese Prime Minister 
Koizumi shook hands and warmly embraced South Korea President Kim Dae 
Jung while welcoming the participants to Seoul and expressing his hope 
that the competition would serve as an occasion to unite the world and 
especially even the Asia Pacific region.
  President Kim, a recipient of the 2000 Nobel Prize, best summed it up 
by noting, ``Through these matches, humanity will become one, 
transcending racial, cultural, ideological and religious differences. 
Indeed, I hope that everyone in the world will be able to reconfirm the 
cherished values of world peace, security and prosperity for all.''
  Mr. Speaker, in 1988, I was privileged to lead our delegation from 
American Samoa to the summer Olympics that were held in Seoul Korea, 
and I cannot help but offer my tribute and special commendation to the 
leaders of Korea on their industry and ability to build an $8 billion 
sports complex which they now enjoy very much as part of the World Cup 
matches. I commend the Korean people for their industry, their efforts 
in bringing democracy to this part of the region.
  Mr. Speaker, behind all the pageantry and exciting matches of the 
World Cup, this is also what is going on behind the scenes in South 
Korea and Japan. Let us all hope that the vision that President Kim and 
Prime Minister Koizumi have so eloquently spoken of will become reality 
with the spirit of competition and camaraderie that the World Cup has 
always epitomized. Enhanced relations between South Korea and Japan is 
critical to furthering our mutual interests in promoting peace, 
providing security and ultimately stability in the Asia Pacific region, 
and hopefully even throughout the world.

                              {time}  1700

  To this effect, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House 
Concurrent Resolution 394 which properly honors our two closest allies 
in the Asian Pacific Region and conveys our best wishes for the success 
of the Republic of Korea and Japan as they co-host the world's greatest 
sports competition.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
distinguished gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach), chairman of the 
Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific of the Committee on 
International Relations.
  Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Royce) for yielding the time, and I want to express my appreciation for 
bringing this resolution to the floor. Sometimes we underestimate the 
role of sport in all of our culture. The fact of the matter is sport is 
a very important part of all cultures. Soccer/football is somewhat new 
to these shores in its seriousness, but we are all impressed with this 
particular set of games. I would like to suggest, having watched the 
game between Korea and the United States last

[[Page H3412]]

night, to note how impressed I am at the sportsmanship, at the 
fanmanship, the notion that thousands and thousands of Koreans 
supported their team with such enormous enthusiasm. So on behalf of the 
Congress, I think just as they wave to their team, we ought to wave to 
South Korea and express our great respect for their hosting of this 
game and for their great sports ethic.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I think with this resolution we are going to be doing 
that. We are trying to recognize and commend Korea and Japan in 
cohosting this event, and I think this international sporting event 
contributes to enhancing peace and contributes to stability in Asia, 
and I think that over the next 10 to 20 years we are going to see a 
transformation in the way Koreans and Japanese relate to each other, 
and perhaps we will look back at the World Cup and say that this game 
helped. It may be just a game, but the results can be inspirational, 
and that is why I urge passage of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers requesting time, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I again want to compliment the statements made earlier by my 
colleague and friend from Iowa (Mr. Leach) and certainly the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Royce) for bringing this legislation to the floor. 
I suppose we have a dream some day that soccer will become truly a 
sport in America as well and I hope to add rugby as well in the coming 
years for our country. I know we love football. I know we love 
baseball, but I think soccer and rugby ought to be added as well. 
Again, let us pass this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I think we have soccer as a sport. The question is will we have to 
call it football?
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Dan Miller of Florida). The question is 
on the motion offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that 
the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. 
Con. Res. 394.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. ROYCE. 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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