[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 152 (Wednesday, October 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1841]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 WELCOMING PRESIDENT LEE MYUNG-BAK OF SOUTH KOREA TO THE UNITED STATES 
                                CONGRESS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 12, 2011

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and pride that I 
welcome President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea to the United 
States and his address to the Joint Session of Congress on October 13, 
2011. His visit to our great nation is another significant step in 
broadening and deepening the friendship and cooperation between our two 
sovereign nations.
  For more than 60 years an enduring friendship has existed between the 
United States and the Republic of Korea which has been of enormous 
economic, cultural, and strategic benefit to both nations. Our 
countries share common ideals and a clear vision for the 21st century, 
where freedom and democracy are the foundations for peace, prosperity, 
and progress.
  During the Korean War the United States and the Republic of Korea 
forged a bloodshed alliance. Approximately 1,789,000 members of the 
United States Armed Forces served in-theater along with the forces of 
the Republic of Korea and 20 other members of the United Nations to 
defend freedom and democracy of the Republic of Korea from 1950 to 
1953. Since 1975, the Republic of Korea has invited thousands of 
American Korean War veterans to revisit Korea in appreciation for their 
sacrifices. Currently more than 28,500 members of the United States 
Armed Forces have served annually in the United States Forces Korea to 
defend the Republic of Korea against external aggression, and to 
promote regional peace.
  The Republic of Korea is among the closest allies of the United 
States, having contributed troops in support of United States 
operations during the Vietnam War, Gulf War, and operations in Iraq and 
Afghanistan, while also supporting numerous United Nations peacekeeping 
missions throughout the world.
  As a Korean War veteran, I am proud to see that in the 60 years since 
the outbreak of the Korean War, the Republic of Korea has emerged from 
a war-torn economy into one of the major economies in the world and one 
of the largest trading partners of the United States.
  The success of Republic of Korea is a shining example of the 
peacekeeping efforts and contribution made by the United States.
  I would like to congratulate President Lee Myung-bak for recently 
being awarded the World Statesman Award for his leadership in 
furthering democracy, freedom, peace and human rights, on September 20, 
2011, by The Appeal of Conscience Foundation, an interfaith 
organization founded and presided by my good friend, Rabbi Arthur 
Schneier.
  I applaud President Lee Myung-bak's many accomplishments, including 
his tenure as the CEO of Hyundai Engineering and Construction, Member 
of the Korean National Assembly, Mayor of Seoul, and as the 10th 
President of the Republic of Korea. Under his presidency since 2008, 
Republic of Korea has emerged as one of the key players on the 
international scene through hosting the 2010 G-20 Seoul Summit. Now 
with the passage of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, I hope that 
the economies of both the United Sates and Republic of Korea would 
continue to prosper as our partnership remains strong.

                          ____________________