[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.

                          ____________________