[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


THANKING TAEKWONDO GRAND MASTER JHOON RHEE FOR HIS 45 YEARS OF SERVICE 
                         TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, Grand Master Jhoon Rhee is a man of 
rare character. An immigrant from South Korea who came to the United 
States in the 1950s, later to be known as the ``Father of American 
Taekwondo,'' he has become an American symbol of patriotism, service, 
and excellence.
  Today, we celebrate Grand Master Rhee's 45 years of service sharing 
his wisdom, experience, and knowledge as a Taekwondo instructor with 
over 350 members of Congress. Yet beyond the contributions he has made 
to members of Congress for almost half a century, Grand Master Rhee has 
served this country through countless acts of service. Thought time 
does not permit me to share them all, please allow me to share some of 
the highlights today and give due honor to a man who truly makes me 
proud to be an American.
  Born on January 7, 1932 in South Korea during the period of Japanese 
occupation, Mr. Rhee began training in the martial arts at the age of 
13. Serving as an officer in the Korean War, Rhee fought alongside 
American soldiers, where he gained a deep appreciation for the country 
that he now calls home.
  Rhee immigrated to the United States in 1956, introducing Taekwondo 
to the Nation. A World-renowned 10th Degree Black Belt, he has 
instructed and inspired students around the world. In addition to the 
over 350 members of Congress he has instructed over the past 45 years, 
Grand Master Rhee has also shared his wisdom and knowledge with the 
likes of Muhammad Ali, Jack Anderson, George Allen Sr., Bob Livingston, 
Tony Robbins, and Jack Valenti.
  Yet his service does not end here. In 1983, Mr. Rhee--a symbol of 
patriotism--served as National Chairman of the July 4th, 1983 Nation's 
Birthday Celebration. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan appointed him to 
the National Council on Vocational Education, where he created National 
Teacher Appreciation Day--a day of honor for our Nation's educators 
which was signed by President Ronald Reagan on October 16, 1986, and 
continues today.
  From 1988 to1991, he served as President George H.W. Bush's 
appointment as Special Advisor to the President's Council on Physical 
Fitness & Sports, and on March 17, 1992 he was selected as the 
President's 721st ``Daily Point of Light''--an award that honors 
individuals and volunteer groups around the country who are helping to 
meet critical needs in their communities.
  In 1999, Rhee received the American Immigrants Achievement Award and 
the National Association of Professional Martial Arts, NAPMA, Life Time 
Achievement Award, and in 2000, he became the only Korean-American 
named by the National Immigrant Forum and the Immigration and 
Naturalization Services as one of the 203 most recognized immigrants in 
the country, along with Albert Einstein, Alexander Graham Bell and 200 
others. Rhee was also inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame in 2007 
as both the ``Pioneer of American Taekwondo'' and the ``Pioneer of 
Taekwon-Do in Russia.'' He currently has over 60 affiliated Tae Kwon Do 
studios in the U.S. and 65 in the former Soviet Union.
  It takes but a moment in Grand Master Rhee's presence to sense his 
honor for this country and to see that he truly exemplifies the 
American spirit. He is a living reminder of the goodness of this nation 
to the U.S. and the world. I must echo my dear friend, Congressman Ike 
Skelton, who once said, ``I might say Master Jhoon Rhee has become a 
national treasure.''
  But what better way to gain a deeper sense of this man's rare 
patriotism and love for America, than in his own words. In a recent 
statement shared with my office, Grand Master Rhee wrote, ``I fought 
the Korean War side by side with American soldiers, who came to defend 
a country they never heard of, people they never knew. This is why I 
wanted to do something for what America had done for my motherland, 
Korea, with what I can do the best, TKD [Taekwondo]. The sense of my 
gratitude for America gave me the energy to get up 5 AM, 3 mornings a 
week for the last 45 years to teach over 350 members of U.S. Congress, 
as my volunteer service; I will give 5 more years to make it five 
decades of my service.''
  Reflecting on the strength of this nation, Grand Master Rhee stated, 
``I became curious what made America so great. In my sincere search for 
the roots of America's strength, I found the noblest mission statement 
ever written by any country in history. American Founding Fathers wrote 
the 'Mission Statement of America' to place upon America the 
responsibility of serving as the vanguard nation for the moral and 
political Freedom of all mankind, not just for American people. No 
wonder, why Alexis De Tocqueville, a French Juror in 1831, wrote: 
`America is great because She is good; if America ever ceases to be 
good, America will cease to be great.' ''
  Today I ask my fellow members of Congress to honor a man whose 
character, patriotism, and heart of service calls for our sincere 
respect and gratitude. Grand Master Rhee, today I celebrate and thank 
you for your 45 years of service to the members of this Chamber and the 
Senate. More importantly, I thank you for your example to the citizens 
of this Nation--for increasing the hope within each of us, for 
reminding us of the beauty and strength of our nation, and for 
inspiring individuals and groups of every walk of life to continually 
press towards the call to take it higher and make it better.

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