[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 83 (Friday, May 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING SYMPATHY TO FAMILIES OF SOUTH KOREAN SEAMEN KILLED BY NORTH 
                                 KOREA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 24, 2010

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise to convey my deepest condolences 
for the people of South Korea following the tragic sinking of the naval 
ship, Cheonan, which has severely traumatized the nation and disrupted 
peace and stability in the Land of the Morning Calm.
  As a longtime friend of the Korean people, I fully support the 
resolution introduced by my colleagues, Representatives Faleomavaega, 
Ros-Lehtinen, Ackerman, Manzullo, and Berman, that expresses sympathy 
to the families of the 46 sailors killed as a result of North Korea's 
aggression, and demonstrates our solidarity with the Republic of Korea 
in the aftermath of this tragedy.
  For me in particular, this incident is very personal and 
excruciatingly painful. As a veteran who fought in the Battle of Kunuri 
during the Korean War, I have witnessed the anguish and the suffering 
inflicted on the Peninsula as a result of North Korea's invasion of the 
South on June 25, 1950. In fact this year marks the 60th anniversary of 
the outbreak of the Korean War, which evidently has yet to end.
  The Korean people have lived in a state of division and instability 
in the Peninsula for sixty years. The recent disaster is clearly a 
somber reminder that the United States must reaffirm our alliance with 
the Republic of Korea to help bring closure to the first and last 
conflict of the Cold War and ultimately build a path toward 
reconciliation between the two Koreas.

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