[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 107 (Thursday, June 26, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1359-E1360]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE 58TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OUTBREAK OF THE KOREAN WAR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2008

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 
sacrifice of the men and women who bravely served in the Korean War in 
defense of freedom. Today, June 25th, we commemorate the 58th 
anniversary of the start of the Korean War; the so-called `Forgotten 
War', which claimed more than 36,000 American lives. Although the 
Korean War may receive less attention than other wars, it does not 
diminish the significance of the war and the freedom it preserved.
  I proudly served my wartime tour in Korea as a member of the 503d 
Field Artillery Battalion of the 2d Infantry Division. The 503d Field 
Artillery Battalion landed in Korea in August 1950, arriving in time to 
participate in hard-fought battles that defeated the North Korean 
offensives against the United Nations forces on the Pusan Perimeter. 
During the battalion's 15 months in Korea, members of the 503d received 
19 Silver Stars, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 79 Bronze 
Stars. The battalion suffered 512 casualties, including 150 men who 
died in Communist prison camps and 79 who remain listed as missing in 
action. The 503d, a Black unit, shattered the biased and unfair 
negative stereotypes attached to Black men and women fighting in Korea 
and earlier wars.
  Although today is a solemn reminder of the lives that were lost 
during the Korean War; it also serves as a reminder of the binding 
friendship we have forged with the Korean people. As a phoenix rises 
from the ashes, so has the U.S.-Korean alliance.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to enter into the Record the heart/felt 
comments from the wreath laying ceremony at the Korean War Memorial by 
the Korean Ambassador, The Honorable Tae-Sik Lee:

 Remarks by His Excellency Tae-Sik Lee, Ambassador of the Republic of 
Korea to the United States, on the Occasion of the 58th Anniversary of 
     the Outbreak of the Korean War, Korean War Veterans Memorial, 
                     Washington, DC, June 25, 2008

       Distinguished veterans, colleagues from the diplomatic 
     corps, and honored guests:
       June 25, 1950, began as a day like any other. But the 
     consequences of that day, and the War that ensued, have left 
     a lasting mark. Millions were killed, our country destroyed, 
     our nation divided. Yet freedom-loving governments stepped 
     forward, and alliances were formed.
       In the brutal heat of summer, and the bitter grip of 
     winter, over every kind of tough terrain--it was through 
     countless individual acts of courage, sacrifice, and faith--
     that South Korea's freedom was preserved. We are here today 
     to honor that courage, remember that sacrifice and, I hope, 
     reward the faith of every fighting man and woman--from 21 
     nations around the globe--who served to keep us free.

[[Page E1360]]

       Far too numerous to mention--but far too important to 
     forget--we remember and honor these heroes, not just today, 
     but every day.
       Some may say that the Korean War has been known as the 
     Forgotten War. But it has been my personal mission to try to 
     rectify that--as I have met with thousands of veterans in 
     dozens of cities across the country. And I know that, here 
     today, I am among many allies in this effort to remember.
       Clearly one of the most compelling monuments to the 
     veterans of this War is this moving memorial on the national 
     mall. I recently saw an interesting statistic--a list of the 
     top most-visited National Park Service memorials. As you 
     might expect, Arlington National Cemetery is first, followed 
     by the World War II and Vietnam memorials. But the Korean War 
     Veterans Memorial has risen to number 4--averaging more than 
     3.2 million visitors per year.
       I think people are remembering. And the priceless lesson 
     that ``Freedom Is Not Free'' could not be more appropriate 
     today.
       For Korea, freedom has meant the chance to energize our 
     economy; institutionalize democracy; and join the responsible 
     community of nations. Today, we are proud to do our part in 
     the war on terror, in peace-keeping operations, and in 
     international economic and social organizations as well. With 
     the United States, we are working to transform our alliance 
     for the challenges of the future--building on the legacy of 
     such forward-thinking leaders as General Riscassi, General 
     Tilleli and General Sennewald, who are here with us today.
       To all our friends from other nations who answered our call 
     for help--I would like to offer this verse from Ecclesiastes 
     that says: ``A faithful friend is a strong defense, and he 
     that hath found him, hath found a treasure.'' A friend in 
     need is a friend indeed. Certainly, the generous spirit of 
     your friendship we will continue to honor and treasure.
       To the veterans here today, you are our heroes and we 
     remember you. And we hope you believe that Korea was a 
     country worth saving--a people worth protecting--and a war 
     worth fighting. Thank you very much.

                          ____________________