[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 196 (Wednesday, November 18, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H5884-H5886]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUTBREAK OF KOREAN WAR
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 1012) recognizing the 70th anniversary of the
outbreak of the Korean War and the transformation of the United States-
Korea alliance into a mutually beneficial, global partnership, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1012
Whereas the United Nations Security Council adopted
Resolution 83 on June 27, 1950, recommending ``Members of the
United Nations furnish assistance to the Republic of Korea''
and Resolution 84 on July 7, 1950, recommending members make
military forces and other assistance available ``to a unified
command under the United States of America'';
Whereas, on July 27, 1953, an Armistice Agreement was
signed by United States Army Lieutenant General William
Harrison, Jr., representing the United Nations Command with
the Korean People's Army and the Chinese People's Volunteer
Army to ``ensure a complete cessation of hostilities and of
all acts of armed force in Korea until a final peaceful
settlement is achieved'';
Whereas the Armistice Agreement remains in force today and
that by its terms has neither formally ended the Korean war
nor constituted a permanent settlement of peace on the Korean
Peninsula;
Whereas, on October 1, 1953, the Mutual Defense Treaty
Between the United States and the Republic of Korea (5 UST
2368) was signed in Washington with ratification advised by
the Senate on January 26, 1954, and the shared commitment to
recognize an armed attack on either of the Parties as
dangerous to each's own peace and security and to ``act to
meet the common danger in accordance with [each's]
constitutional processes'' and remains in force today;
Whereas during the Korean war, 1,789,000 United States
soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines served in theater,
36,574 paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives in
defense of freedom in the Republic of Korea, and over 7,500
United States servicemembers remain classified by the
Department of Defense as missing in action;
Whereas, on October 7, 2016, H.R. 1475, entitled the
``Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall of Remembrance Act'', was
introduced in Congress by Representative Sam Johnson of Texas
and became Public Law 114-230;
Whereas according to House Report 114-433 to accompany H.R.
1475, H.R. 1475 authorizes a Wall of Remembrance to be added
to the Korean War Veterans Memorial with the names of those
that died in theater, are listed as missing, or prisoners of
war, and would also list the number of members of the Korean
Augmentation to the United States Army (KATUSA) who were
killed in action, wounded in action, prisoners of war, or are
listed as missing in action;
Whereas the ongoing conflict separated countless Korean
families from one another, and an estimated 3,000 elderly
South Koreans die every year without reuniting with their
loved ones;
Whereas in the 70 years since the outbreak of the Korean
conflict, the United States-Republic of Korea alliance has
transformed itself from a security relationship into a
comprehensive global partnership;
Whereas the Republic of Korea is considered one of the
greatest success stories in the post-World War II era and
constitutes a lynchpin of United States foreign policy in
Northeast Asia;
Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea have
stood shoulder to shoulder in all major military conflicts
the United States has faced since the Korean war while
maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula;
Whereas this partnership has contributed to regional and
global prosperity through the shared values of democracy,
free market economy, human rights, and the rule of law;
Whereas it is in the national interest of the United States
to maintain its forward deployed presence in the Republic of
Korea through United States Forces Korea (USFK), a premier
Joint Force that is ``well led, disciplined, trained and
ready to Fight Tonight and win'';
[[Page H5885]]
Whereas the 70-year transformation of the United States-
Korea alliance into a mutually beneficial partnership has
recently led to important coordination and cooperation in
confronting global pandemics including H1N1 in 2009, and
COVID-19 in 2020;
Whereas the Republic of Korea has made significant
contributions to the global community in combating and
containing COVID-19, including the manufacture and export of
Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test
kits to the United States Government and various States;
Whereas, on May 8, 2020, the Republic of Korea donated
500,000 masks to be distributed to Korean war veterans
throughout the United States, including the Navajo Nation, in
a gesture of gratitude and in commemoration of the 70th
anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean war; and
Whereas, on May 10, 2020, the Republic of Korea donated
2,000,000 masks to the United States to help fill shortages
in hospitals most impacted by COVID-19: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) underscores the continuing and crucial role of the
alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea
in ensuring peace and stability in Asia and the world,
including by providing security from the threat posed by the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea and its repeated
provocations;
(2) reaffirms the importance of close cooperation between
the United States and the Republic of Korea in the Indo-
Pacific, including on issues ranging from infrastructure and
development financing to promoting good governance;
(3) encourages the continued close and continuing ties
between the people and governments of the two nations, as
well as the contributions the near two million Korean-
Americans have made to both societies;
(4) commits to continuing and expanding United States-
Republic of Korea medical and scientific and research
collaboration, particularly since cooperation between the two
countries has saved countless lives during the COVID-19
pandemic;
(5) urges both countries to prioritize ongoing Special
Measures Agreement negotiations and to reach mutually
agreeable terms; and
(6) recommits the United States to ensuring the
relationship between the United States and Republic of Korea
continues to grow and thrive into the foreseeable future.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Engel) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include in the Record extraneous material on H. Res. 1012, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Bera for authoring this resolution
recognizing the historic alliance between the United States and the
Republic of Korea.
In the 70 years since the outbreak of the Korean War, the U.S.-Korea
alliance has grown to become an indispensable partnership for defending
and promoting peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific and
beyond.
With a shared commitment to human rights and democratic values, our
two countries have worked hand in hand as partners on so much of the
challenges facing us today: Security, trade, global health, and more.
When the United States faced crippling shortages in essential
protective gear during this pandemic, South Korea stepped up to help us
in our time of need.
In times of crisis, it is all the more important that we work closely
with our allies and friends. Our security posture in the Korean
Peninsula isn't just beneficial to the Republic of Korea, it is a
benefit for American security as well.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this good measure recognizing
our alliance with the Republic of Korea, and I urge my colleagues to do
the same.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. YOHO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1012, recognizing the
70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War and the
transformation of the U.S.-Korea alliance into a mutual beneficial,
global partnership.
Since that momentous day, our two nations have worked together to
promote and protect democracy and freedom in the Indo-Pacific region
and around the world.
American and South Koreans alike understand the importance of
defending democracy against malign actors who seek to undermine it at
every turn.
I would like to thank the 5.8 million U.S. servicemembers who served
during the Korean War, including 36,574 who paid the ultimate sacrifice
in the defense of the Republic of Korea.
The fight to protect freedom and democracy will continue for years to
come, but we are fortunate to have partners like the Republic of Korea
by our side.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Bera), the author of this important resolution, the
chair of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation.
Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge support of my resolution,
H. Res. 1012, which recognizes the transformation of the U.S.-South
Korea relationship into a strong and enduring partnership that benefits
the entire world.
As the proud co-chair of the Korea Caucus and the co-chair of the
Congressional Study Group on Korea, I know how important this
relationship is to our two countries.
This spring, I introduced this resolution because I wanted to
acknowledge and highlight the shared history and ties between our
nations.
It was over 70 years ago that the United States rushed to the aid of
the Republic of Korea after they were attacked by its neighbor to the
north.
The United States, leading the multinational coalition of the United
Nations Command, successfully defended the Republic of Korea.
But the war devastated South Korea. Forty years ago, South Korea was
one of the poorest countries in the world. Today, they are one of the
most advanced. It is a miracle, and it is hard work.
The Republic of Korea became a democracy in the late 1980s. Today, it
is one of the most widely respected countries in Asia and the world. It
has been incredibly successful against the COVID-19 pandemic and has
helped the United States in our own battle against it.
President-elect Biden has recognized the value of our relationship
with Korea, and his call to President Moon Jae-in was one of the first
calls to a foreign leader.
Our ties with the Republic of Korea are enduring. They are based on
our shared people-to-people values, our vibrant Korean-American
community, American expatriates in South Korea, and our economic ties.
We have shared values and respect for democracy and human rights. We
will work together to confront the challenges of this pandemic, as well
as other challenges, like climate change.
I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who support and
sustain this alliance, as well as Chairman Engel and Ranking Member
McCaul and their staff, like Theresa Lou, who helped bring this
resolution to the floor.
Mr. YOHO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for those
who fought to defend freedom during the Korean War. Because of their
sacrifice, South Koreans can live freely and without fear of
oppression.
Through new and unforeseen challenges, the U.S.-ROK alliance
continues to strengthen and evolve, and we look forward to close
cooperation and friendship in years to come.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for
the purpose of closing.
Mr. Speaker, let me say that, as one of the few Members of Congress
who has been to North Korea twice, I think that when you do that, you
see the profound difference between North Korea and South Korea. That
is why it is so important that the United States continue strongly its
alliance with the Republic of Korea, a vital partnership that has grown
stronger and stronger
[[Page H5886]]
over the past 70 years, and I am sure will continue for many more to
come.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1012, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
The title of the resolution was amended so as to read: ``Resolution
Recognizing the historic transformation of the United States-Republic
of Korea alliance since the Korean War into a mutually beneficial,
global partnership.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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