[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 83 (Friday, May 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E988-E989]
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. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 24, 2010

  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
H. Res. 1382, expressing sympathy for the families of those killed by 
North Korea in the sinking of the Republic of Korea Ship Cheonan, and 
solidarity with the Republic of Korea in the aftermath of this tragic 
incident. I would like to thank Mr. Faleomavaega for introducing this 
resolution reaffirming our long-standing friendship with the people of 
South Korea.
  Madam Speaker, South Korea has suffered a senseless and tragic loss 
due to a vicious attack from their northern neighbor. On May 20, 2010 a 
group of 74 experts, 50 from South Korea and 24 from the international 
community, published a report containing conclusive evidence that North 
Korea, in clear violation of the Korean War Armistice Agreement, sank

[[Page E989]]

the Ship Cheonan without provocation. The Cheonan lost 46 of its 104 
sailors in the attack, and the people of South Korea still mourn their 
loss.
  The Republic of South Korea has been a steadfast ally to the United 
States for over 50 years, providing a vital foothold for security and 
stability in Asia; moreover, the United States is bound to South Korea 
through a shared belief in the values of democracy and the rule of law. 
We must not stand idly by while our allies overseas are attacked. 
Foreign aggression is a threat to international stability, and as such 
also threatens the security of the United States and its people. 
Secretary of State Clinton has already called out to the rest of the 
world, showing unwavering conviction that ``we cannot allow this attack 
on South Korea to go unanswered by the international community.'' Nor 
can we in the U.S. Congress remain silent.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution to reaffirm the 
United States' commitment to our alliance with the Republic of South 
Korea. We condemn in the strongest terms the actions of North Korea for 
their attack and demand a full apology for their aggression, along with 
a commitment to never again violate the terms of the Korean War 
Armistice Agreement. The United States must coordinate with our allies 
to take appropriate action in response to the hostility of the North 
Korean Government. We also strongly urge the international community to 
faithfully implement all United Nations Security Council Resolutions 
pertaining to security on the Korean Peninsula.
  I support this resolution not only out of sympathy for our South 
Korean allies, but also because of the message it sends to potential 
aggressors abroad. It says we understand that stability around the 
world is necessary for security at home; it says that we will not 
remain silent in the face of violations of international treaties; it 
says that hostility towards peaceful democratic nations will not go 
unanswered. The safety of the people of the United States depends on 
our ability to work with the international community to stand by our 
allies and respond to aggressors.

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