[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 131 (Friday, September 11, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1268]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF OPERATION CHROMITE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM REED

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 11, 2015

  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, next Tuesday, September 15, will mark the 65th 
anniversary of Operation Chromite, better known as the Incheon Landing. 
This decisive invasion and the battle which ensued marked a key turning 
point at the outset of the Korean War in 1950.
  My father, Thomas W. Reed, was a veteran of the Korean War, serving 
as an ammunition officer with the U.S. Army's 45th and 25th Infantry 
Divisions. He fought alongside brave South Korean soldiers who were 
struggling to save their homeland from the onslaught of communism.
  For 65 years since, the United States and the Republic of Korea have 
continued to stand shoulder to shoulder in strength and solidarity to 
defend freedom, democracy, market capitalism, human rights and the rule 
of law on the Korean Peninsula. Indeed, our alliance, which was forged 
on the battlefield, has become a ``blood alliance.''
  I had the privilege of visiting South Korea in April 2011 and the 
trip left a lasting impression. It was particularly meaningful for me 
to have been able to visit the Korean War Memorial and Exhibition in 
Seoul, to lay a wreath and to pray and reflect. My visit served as a 
humbling and sobering reminder of the cost of freedom that was paid 65 
years ago through the service and sacrifice of all Korean War veterans.
  I also witnessed firsthand economic prosperity and industrial prowess 
in Korea that never could have been imagined when my father was there 
in the 1950's.
  Today, Korea ranks as the world's thirteenth-largest economy, the 
sixth-largest trading partner of the United States, the fifth-largest 
market for agricultural goods, and the third-largest destination for 
U.S. foreign direct investment in the Asia-Pacific region. Bilateral 
trade between our two nations averages about $80 billion each year, 
further cemented by the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement.
  In the 23rd congressional district of New York, which I am privileged 
to represent, farmers, small business owners, and larger firms are 
already benefiting from the KORUS FTA. Of note, there are more than 140 
family-owned wineries in the area around my hometown, and several of 
them are enjoying increased exports due to tariff eliminations.
  My district is also home to Corning Incorporated, which launched a 
joint venture with Samsung in 1995 to form Samsung Corning Precision 
Materials. SCPM is now a global leader in the development and supply of 
LCD glass substrates.
  For so many reasons, Korea constitutes one of America's greatest 
foreign policy success stories in the post-World War II era. Korea is 
not only an indispensable ally and friend but serves as the linchpin of 
regional peace and stability in Northeast Asia.
  To this end, Korean President Park Geun-hye will be visiting 
Washington in mid-October. Her visit is a timely and meaningful one, 
and I offer my expression of welcome and support for a productive and 
successful trip.
  I recall President Park's Address to a Joint Meeting of the Congress 
on May 8, 2013 when she eloquently stated that ``our chorus of freedom 
and peace, of future and hope, has not ceased to resonate over the last 
60 years and will not cease to go on.''
  I further applaud and support President Park's vision and goals as 
articulated in her Dresden Address in March of last year on South-North 
reunification, including a proposal to create an International Peace 
Park at the DMZ. In addition, the Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation 
Initiative (NAPCI) will be an important means to promoting regional 
peace and prosperity through a trust-building process.
  In the post-KORUS FTA implementation era, there are several ways we 
can continue to enhance our bilateral economic relationship. First, I 
have supported the Partner with Korea Act, authored by my friend and 
colleague, Peter Roskam, to provide up to 15,000 temporary professional 
visas for Korean nationals. Second, I support the renewal of the U.S.-
Korea Civilian Nuclear Energy Agreement which was signed on June 15, 
2015. Third, I support Korea's Creative Economy action plan to enhance 
mutual competitiveness in the global marketplace.
  Mr. Speaker, the U.S.-Korea alliance is at its strongest ever and yet 
our alliance will continue to be tested as was evidenced in light of 
recent North Korean provocations. It is important we remain ever 
vigilant and resolute in our alliance to counter any and all threats 
that could lead to instability on the Korean Peninsula. In the 
Congress, I will do all I can to support and defend our great ally and 
friend--the Republic of Korea--and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

                          ____________________