[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 31, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H5254-H5256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ENCOURAGING PEACE AND REUNIFICATION ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 41) encouraging peace and
reunification on the Korean Peninsula, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:
H. Con. Res. 41
Whereas the Republic of Korea (in this resolution referred
to as ``South Korea'') and the Democratic People's Republic
of Korea (in this resolution referred to as ``North Korea'')
have never formally ended hostilities and have been
technically in a state of war since the Armistice Agreement
was signed on July 27, 1953;
Whereas the United States, representing the United Nations
Forces Command which was a signatory to the Armistice
Agreement, and with 28,500 of its troops currently stationed
in South Korea, has a stake in the progress towards peace and
reunification on the Korean Peninsula;
Whereas progress towards peace and reunification on the
Korean Peninsula would mean greater security and prosperity
for the region and the world;
Whereas, at the end of World War II, Korea officially
gained independence from Japanese rule, as agreed to at the
Cairo Conference on November 22, 1943, through November 26,
1943;
Whereas, on August 10, 1945, the Korean Peninsula was
temporarily divided along the 38th parallel into two military
occupation zones commanded by the United States and the
Soviet Union;
Whereas, on June 25, 1950, communist North Korea attacked
the South, thereby initiating the Korean War and diminishing
prospects for a peaceful unification of Korea;
Whereas, during the Korean War, more than 36,000 members of
the United States Armed Forces were killed and approximately
1,789,000 members of the United States Armed Forces served
in-theater along with the South Korean forces and 20 other
members of the United Nations to secure peace on the Korean
Peninsula and in the Asia-Pacific region;
Whereas, since the end of the Korean War era, the United
States Armed Forces have remained in South Korea to promote
regional peace;
Whereas provocations by the Government of North Korea in
recent years have escalated tension and instability in the
Asia-Pacific region;
Whereas North Korea's human rights abuses, suppression of
dissent, and hostility to South Korea remain significant
obstacles to peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula;
Whereas North Korea's economic policies have led to extreme
economic privation for its citizens, whose quality of life
ranks among the world's lowest;
Whereas North Korea's proliferation of nuclear and missile
technology threatens international peace and stability;
Whereas North Korea has systematically violated numerous
International Atomic Energy Agency and United Nations
Security Council Resolutions with respect to its nuclear
weapons and ballistic missile programs;
Whereas the refusal of the Government of North Korea to
denuclearize disrupts peace and security on the Korean
Peninsula;
Whereas, beginning in 2003, the United States, along with
the two Koreas, Japan, the People's Republic of China, and
the Russian Federation, have engaged in six rounds of Six-
Party Talks aimed at the verifiable and irreversible
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and finding a
peaceful resolution to the security concerns resulting from
North Korea's nuclear development;
Whereas the three-mile wide buffer zone between the two
Koreas, known as the Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ, is the most
heavily armed border in the world;
Whereas the Korean War separated more than 10,000,000
Korean family members, including 100,000 Korean Americans
who, after 60 years of separation, are still waiting to see
their families in North Korea;
Whereas reunification remains a long-term goal of South
Korea;
Whereas South Korea and North Korea are both full members
of the United Nations, whose stated purpose includes
maintaining international peace and security, and to that end
``take effective collective measures for the prevention and
removal of threats to the peace'';
Whereas the Governments and people of the United States and
South Korea have continuously stood shoulder-to-shoulder to
promote and defend international peace and security, economic
prosperity, human rights, and the rule of law both on the
Korean Peninsula and beyond, and the denuclearization of
North Korea; and
Whereas July 27, 2013, marks the 60th anniversary of the
Armistice Agreement of the Korean War: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress--
(1) recognizes the historical importance of the Korean War,
which began on June 25, 1950;
(2) honors the noble service and sacrifice of members of
the United States Armed Forces and the armed forces of allied
countries that have served in Korea since 1950;
(3) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to its
alliance with South Korea for the betterment of peace and
prosperity on the Korean Peninsula; and
(4) calls on North Korea to respect the fundamental human
rights of its citizens, abandon and dismantle its nuclear
weapons program, and end its nuclear and missile
proliferation as integral steps toward peace and eventual
reunification.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), the author of this bill and a
hero of the Korean War, who served his country with valor during that
tough campaign. After surviving an onslaught by waves of Chinese
troops, he led his surviving comrades, while wounded, to safety from
behind enemy lines, for which he was awarded a Purple Heart and also a
Bronze Star for Valor.
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I was prepared to respond to the chairman
and ranking member for their legislative courtesies they had extended
to me. I appreciate the tribute being paid to me which, unusually, I
was awkwardly unprepared for. But I do want to thank the gentleman for
his friendship in more ways than just this resolution, as well as Tom
Sheehy, who worked with your staff, and, of course, my friend from New
York, J.J., on the committee staff. He guided to make certain that this
almost-legislatively impossible resolution was so expediently brought
up to be considered by this august House.
On Saturday last, the President of the United States, along with our
congressional colleague, who is now the Secretary of the Department of
Defense, and the Secretaries of all of the Armed Forces groups, got
together to honor the veterans of the Korean War. It was a sight to see
so many Korean veterans from so many different parts of the country.
They were reminded by the President that we had been labeled--those
that participated--as what was referred to as ``the forgotten war.''
Because most all of the world knew about the importance of America
being involved in saving democracy in World War II. And Vietnam, for
good or bad, everyone knew people that went there. But somehow, in the
middle of that, no one really missed us or knew where Korea was--or it
didn't appear there was too much concern. When we did return, unlike
the Vietnam veterans, who really had unfairly been treated, but
fortunately for us, we were never missed, except by our families and
friends. People never knew where we were. The Congress was not as kind
to us as they had been to the veterans.
Having said all of that, it was a wonderful tribute. Veterans turned
out from all over. Certainly, there were comrades that were part of the
20 countries that were part of the United Nations. And when the North
Koreans invaded South Korea, those of us that were called to go to
South Korea to defend them were going to a country that we never knew
to fight for a people that we never met and for causes that were not
well known.
And the war has never really been called a war. It's never been
called a truce. It still is a division between these people. But as a
result of the United States and the United Nations' efforts, millions
of lives lost--54,000
[[Page H5255]]
Americans killed, 100,000 Americans wounded, and close to 9,000 either
captured or missing in action--one would say, With all of the blood and
money, what did we get out of this?
And that's what we discussed Saturday with the Korean War veterans.
What we got out of this was the integrity of the United States of
America. That any commitment that we had made to the United Nations not
only would we be participating but we would lead, as we did under the
direction of General MacArthur.
And today, as we look back and see that, out of the rubble of a
country that had been reduced by war, and we take a look at what exists
in the northern part, as this division still exists today, in Communist
North Korea, we have seen a people that had no jobs, no homes, no
resources, but they did have hope.
{time} 2015
Out of the South Korean hope and dream came a nation, a new nation, a
nation that demonstrated what democratic people can do; an economy was
built, and a friendship and a partnership with the United States and
freedom-loving people all over the world.
So today, we don't just say as Korean veterans that we know where
Korea is. We say that no matter how little a part we played, that we
can look back and be proud as Americans that we have, in a small part,
been possible to see this small nation become a world power, not only
in terms of its military, but its friendship in terms of America's
national defense; not only in terms of friendship, but being one of our
wonderful trading partners that provides jobs for Koreans and
Americans.
So it only makes sense, as a great country of ours that still has the
scars of the Civil War, that we should want Koreans, North and South,
to find some way to seek unity, to find some way to understand the
values of democracy, to find some way that the thing that democracies
are willing to fight and die for exists in that peninsula.
I want to specifically thank Hannah Kim of my office for doing what
staff does for all of us in getting people even from the other body to
understand how important this was to the President and to the Congress;
and, of course, to the Speaker's staff, who worked closely with
Chairman Royce--that's Mike Sommers and Dave Schnittger. And on the
other side of the Capitol, Todd Womack, chief of staff of Senator
Corker, and Mike Henry and his gang, as chief of staff of Senator Tim
Kaine.
And on behalf of all of the veterans, I can tell you, as I yield my
time back to the chairman, that we all have felt that America really
did love us; they just needed an opportunity to express it.
So we thank you for this resolution. It's not just for me and
Koreans, but it's also for Korean Americans. So many Asians, and
especially Korean Americans, they love Korea, but they love our country
best.
Mr. ROYCE. I thank Mr. Rangel, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent
Resolution 41, as amended, and I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Let me say, first of all, that I want to thank my colleague and
friend from New York, Congressman Rangel, for his service to our
country in the Korean War; also, for his long service in the House of
Representatives and for offering this important resolution.
If you grew up in New York, as I did, and you grew up in politics,
everyone knows who Charlie Rangel is, anyplace in New York--New York
City or New York State. And now we actually have adjoining districts,
back-to-back districts. He obviously means so much to so many people,
and I'm proud to call him my colleague and even more proud to call him
my friend. So I want to thank Congressman Rangel, who sponsored this
legislation. I want to thank our chairman, Ed Royce, for his leadership
as well on this resolution.
What this does is H.Con.Res 41 recognizes the historical importance
of the Korean War, which ended 60 years ago this past weekend. The
resolution also affirms the strong bonds between the United States and
the Republic of Korea which were forged in blood during the Korean War.
During that conflict, nearly 1.8 million American soldiers served in
the theater to defend freedom and democracy. Sadly, almost 55,000 were
killed, over 100,000 were wounded, and about 8,000 were listed as
missing in action or prisoners of war.
Just as I thank Congressman Rangel, my good friend, I want to also
say that the House has other Korean War veterans in the House--
Representative John Conyers, Representative Sam Johnson, and
Representative Howard Coble. Charlie Rangel and all the other Korean
War veterans in the House I just mentioned all deserve our recognition
and sincere thanks.
From the ruins of that conflict 60 years ago, we've seen the rise of
a strong alliance between the United States and South Korea, the
emergence of South Korea as one of the major economies of the world and
a leading trading partner of the United States.
This past January, I visited South Korea with Chairman Royce, where
we had an opportunity to meet South Korea's new President--and we also
met her when she came here and spoke before the joint session of
Congress a few months ago--and we also met with other senior officials
when we were in Seoul. Based on these conversations, I can tell you
that the U.S.-South Korea relationship has never been stronger. With
the continued threat posed by North Korea, the U.S.-Korea alliance is
needed more than ever to safeguard peace and stability in that region
of the world.
More than 28,000 American armed services personnel serve in Korea
today, and Chairman Royce and I met many of those people when we were
over in Korea. And just as Korean War veterans fought for freedom, so,
too, do these current-day defenders stand ready to help protect freedom
on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the region.
So I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE. Well, Mr. Speaker, I would close my remarks by saying that
I rise in strong support of this resolution.
I'd like to add my voice to others grateful for the sacrifices so
many Americans made to protect the freedom of South Korea. And I again
acknowledge the four Members of this House--Congressman Charlie Rangel,
John Conyers, Sam Johnson, and Howard Coble--the veterans of that war,
to thank them for their service in the Armed Forces.
I commend Congressman Rangel for offering this resolution here on the
60th anniversary of this special relationship that we have with South
Korea. We recall that 22 nations came together to defend the Republic
of Korea, and fighting stopped 3 years later with an armistice that
still remains in place. 5.7 million Americans served during that
conflict. As noted, the casualties were 56,000, if you count those
missing and presumed dead. Over 100,000 Americans were wounded in that
war. And 140,000 South Koreas were killed in action, many of whom
fought side by side with American forces for the cause of freedom. But
when you calculate the more than 3 million Korean civilians killed in
that conflict, you begin to appreciate the enormity of the human loss.
The heroic deeds of these servicemen, both Korean and American, laid
the foundation for that alliance that we speak of here that has lasted
some 60 years, but also brought relative stability, as Mr. Rangel
pointed out, to northeast Asia, and certainly laid that foundation for
the prosperity that we see in Seoul and around the country today.
Yet Korea remains a divided peninsula. This is a calamity for the
Korean people. The United States and South Korea have spent much of the
last 20 years offering to engage North Korea with aid, with trade, and
with diplomacy. All of these initiatives, unfortunately, have failed.
And the North Korean response? Besides its aggressive behavior towards
South Korea, the regime there continues to develop nuclear weapons, to
test missiles, and to supply weapons to countries like Iran and Syria.
Mr. Chairman, we have tried many strategies. I think only one has
worked, really, and that was financial pressure. I recall in 2005 when
an Under Secretary of the Treasury caught North Korea counterfeiting
$100 bills, so what he did was used the power of the U.S. financial
system to cut off
[[Page H5256]]
Kim Jong Il's access to his vast offshore wealth. And while the North
Korean people were starving at the time, as you know, the country's
dictator had billions of dollars stashed away in foreign banks that
suddenly he did not have access anymore to that money when the
sanctions were put on the Banco Delta Asia. Blocking those accounts
denied Kim Jong Il the cash he needed to sustain that vast police
state, to sustain that million-man army, to pay for his nuclear weapons
and his luxurious lifestyle.
For a while, the world had his attention. For a while, he wanted to
come back to the table. I think that approach worked. I suspect North
Korea will only change when it's forced to change, and I think we must
resurrect a successful strategy of financial pressure.
But, Mr. Speaker, today what we do, what we dedicate ourselves to is
recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Armistice Agreement of the
Korean War. Importantly, this resolution not only honors the service
and sacrifices of the members of the Armed Forces, but it also
reaffirms our commitment to the U.S.-Korea alliance. And this
resolution sends a message that the U.S. goal remains that which
thousands of Americans, including four of our Members, fought for; that
goal remains peace on the Korean Peninsula.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Before I yield back, I want to thoroughly embarrass my
colleague and friend from New York because we found, in our cloakroom,
this wonderful picture. This good-looking guy is Charlie Rangel when he
was a soldier in Korea. And now you know why he was elected to
Congress. Anyone who looks that good, everyone votes for. It's nice to
hold a picture of a hero.
Mr. RANGEL. If the gentleman would yield, I thank you so much, my
dear colleague from New York.
Mr. ENGEL. I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I fully support H. Con. Res 41--
Encouraging peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula. I would
like to thank Congressman Rangel for bringing this bill forward and
thank him for his service as a Korean War Veteran.
This past week marked the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War
Armistice and I want to thank all of our service men and women who
served and continue to serve in Korea. This timely resolution
recognizes the historical importance of the Korean War and honors the
service and sacrifice of the U.S. Armed Forces and the armed forces of
allied countries that served, and continue to serve, in Korea. It
reaffirms the commitment of the United States to our alliance with
South Korea, and calls on North Korea to abide by international law and
cease its nuclear proliferation in order to resume talks that could
lead to peace and reunification.
As one of our strongest allies in that region, South Korea stands
firmly for the ideals of democracy and freedom. This bill sends a
strong message to the people of South Korea that we stand with them on
their struggle against North Korean oppression. Our policy should be
clear: the oppressive Pyongyang regime will face continued sanctions
and isolation unless it ceases its illicit activities and its
persistent threats against us and our allies.
I hope that one day Koreans will be able to reunite, and this bill
helps promote this noble cause.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 41, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as amended, was
agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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