[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 13, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING LEE MYUNGBAK ON ELECTION TO PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC 
                                OF KOREA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 6, 2008

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
947 which welcomes the new President of the Republic of Korea, Lee 
Myung-Bak, and congratulates him on his upcoming inauguration later 
this month. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this important 
resolution.
  Madam Speaker, not a little more than a half century ago--within 
living memory of several Members of this House, most notably our 
distinguished Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, my dear 
friend Mr. Rangel--the Republic of Korea was an impoverished casualty 
of imperialism and war. It has since grown to be affluent and 
productive beyond the wildest dreams of the American and South Korean 
soldiers who fought shoulder-to-shoulder for freedom and democracy 
during the Korean War.
  There are over two million Americans of Korean descent living 
throughout the United States, from Hawaii, where the first Korean 
immigrants landed a little more than a century ago, to New York, which 
is home to one of the largest and most vibrant Korean American 
communities in the Nation. It is important to note that Korean 
Americans have made significant contributions in New York politically, 
economically, culturally and through their various civic and religious 
organizations.
  The newly elected President of the Republic of Korea is a 
distinguished statesman and prominent business leader. President-elect 
Lee Myung-Bak has served as a Member of the South Korean National 
Assembly; he was Mayor of Seoul, South Korea's largest city and 
capital; he has been a visiting scholar at the George Washington 
University; and he has been the chief executive officer of some of the 
Republic of' Korea's most successful business corporations affiliated 
with the Hyundai Group. He has distinguished himself over the years in 
both the public and private sectors.
  Madam Speaker, President-elect Lee has indicated, in several 
statements he has made since his election, a profound desire to 
strengthen the already strong friendship and partnership between the 
Republic of Korea and the United States. I applaud President-elect Lee 
for this commitment and look forward to working with him and 
administration to this end. I join my colleagues in congratulating and 
wishing him and his transition team well as they take up their new 
responsibilities.

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