[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 168 (Wednesday, November 19, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S15209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MUTUAL DEFENSE TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED 
                    STATES AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 379, S. Res. 
256.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 256) observing the 50th anniversary 
     of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and 
     the Republic of Korea, affirming the deep cooperation and 
     friendship between the people of the United States and the 
     people of the Republic of Korea, and thanking the Republic of 
     Korea for its contributions to the global war on terrorism 
     and to the stabilization and reconstruction of Afghanistan 
     and Iraq.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, all with no intervening action or debate, and that 
any statements relating to the measure be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 256) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 256

       Whereas October 1, 2003, marked the 50th anniversary of the 
     signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United 
     States of America and the Republic of Korea, signed at 
     Washington October 1, 1953, and entered into force November 
     17, 1954 (hereinafter referred to as the ``Mutual Defense 
     Treaty'');
       Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea have 
     formed a bond through the common struggle against communist 
     aggression;
       Whereas more than 34,000 Americans lost their lives 
     fighting in the Korean War, and approximately 37,000 men and 
     women of the United States Armed Forces are still deployed on 
     the Korean peninsula, enduring separation from their families 
     and other hardships in the defense of freedom;
       Whereas the Mutual Defense Treaty has been instrumental in 
     securing peace on the Korean peninsula and providing an 
     environment in which the Republic of Korea has become an 
     economically vibrant, free, democratic society;
       Whereas the foundation of the Mutual Defense Treaty rests 
     not only on a common adversary, but more importantly on a 
     shared interest in, and commitment to, peace, democracy, and 
     freedom on the Korean peninsula, in Asia, and throughout the 
     world;
       Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea are 
     working closely together to find a diplomatic solution to the 
     threat posed by North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons and 
     the export by North Korea of ballistic missiles;
       Whereas the Republic of Korea is making valuable 
     contributions to the global war on terrorism, including the 
     contribution of logistics support for international forces 
     operating in Afghanistan;
       Whereas the Republic of Korea has pledged $260,000,000 and 
     has already sent 700 military engineers and medical personnel 
     to assist in the United States-led effort to stabilize and 
     reconstruct Iraq; and
       Whereas South Korea President Roh Moo-hyun pledged on 
     October 18, 2003, to dispatch additional troops to work 
     alongside United States and coalition forces in Iraq: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) observes the 50th anniversary of the Mutual Defense 
     Treaty between the United States of America and the Republic 
     of Korea, signed at Washington October 1, 1953, and entered 
     into force November 17, 1954;
       (2) reaffirms the deep cooperation and friendship between 
     the people of the United States and the people of the 
     Republic of Korea; and
       (3) thanks the Republic of Korea for its contributions to 
     the global war on terrorism and to the stabilization and 
     reconstruction of Afghanistan and Iraq.

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