[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 103 (Friday, June 20, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    GRANTING A FEDERAL CHARTER TO KOREAN WAR VETERANS ASSOCIATION, 
                              INCORPORATED

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. PETER WELCH

                               of vermont

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 17, 2008

  Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 
1692, a bill to grant a Federal charter to the Korean War Veterans 
Association.
  Just a few short years after World War II, our government again 
called on hundreds of thousands of Americans to serve their country in 
a distant conflict. Over 1,700,000 American soldiers were sent halfway 
around the world to fight a Communist threat in Korea. Over 40,000 
would never return--giving their lives on the battlefield or going 
missing to this day. Another 100,000 were wounded. Today, my state of 
Vermont alone is home to almost 10,000 Korean War veterans.
  The Korean War Veterans Association exists to remember those lost, to 
honor the service of the thousands of living veterans, and to support 
Korean freedom. For over six years, the organization has fought for 
Federal recognition. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and 
the Vietnam Veterans of America have received a Federal charter, but up 
until this point veterans of the Korean War could not claim this honor. 
H.R. 1692 finally remedies this.
  Under the charter provided in this bill, the Korean War Veterans 
Association will provide assistance to veterans of the Korean War and 
to all those who have subsequently served there, including helping 
those men and women receive the veterans benefits they have earned. The 
organization will also preserve the camaraderie forged between those 
who served, and honor the memory of those fallen. It is my great 
pleasure to support this well-deserved charter.

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