[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 101 (Friday, July 8, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA FOR WINNING THE BID FOR THE 2018 
                             OLYMPIC GAMES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 8, 2011

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I would like to rise today to 
express my congratulations to The Republic of Korea for successfully 
winning the bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. Yesterday, the 
International Olympic Committee selected the beautiful site of 
Pyeongchang, in the Taebaek mountain region, as the host city for the 
2018 Games.
  These 2018 Winter Games will take place 30 years following the 
successful 1988 Seoul Summer Olympic Games. That year marked the 
international recognition of the Republic of Korea's maturation as a 
leading economic power and the emergence of the country as a liberal 
democracy. In the 3 decades since, South Korea has grown and matured at 
a remarkable speed so that it now has the world's 11th largest economy 
and is one of the top trading partners of the United States.
  No doubt many Korean immigrants to the United States and their 
descendants are celebrating as a result of this announcement, and 
justifiably so. The Olympic Games provide any country the opportunity 
to shine, and I expect that Korea will shine brightly in 2018.
  As co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Korea, I wish to add my 
voice to the many Americans--both friends of Korea and sports 
enthusiasts--who today are cheering on the excellent choice of 
Pyeongchang as the site of the 2018 Winter Olympics.

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