[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 196 (Thursday, November 20, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1107-E1108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING 15 YEARS OF THE KOREAN BELL GARDEN

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. JAMES R. WALKINSHAW

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 20, 2025

  Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 
fifteenth anniversary of the Korean Bell Garden, a symbol of peace, 
cultural heritage, and enduring friendship between the Republic of 
Korea and the United States.
  Fifteen years ago, through the visionary leadership of the Korean 
American Cultural Committee and NOVA Parks, an unused hillside was 
transformed into a remarkable landscape of beauty and meaning.

[[Page E1108]]

  Their joint effort brought forth a lasting tribute to the values we 
hold dear: freedom, opportunity, and harmony. Central to this garden 
stands the Bell of Peace and Harmony, cast in Korea and installed to 
honor the spirit of unity and the shared commitment to democratic 
ideals that bind our two nations.
  Situated within Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia, the 
Korean Bell Garden has become a treasured landmark in the Commonwealth 
and throughout the Nation. It remains the only Korean Bell Garden of 
its kind in the Western Hemisphere, distinguished by its intricate 
engravings of flora and fauna native to both Korea and Virginia, 
symbols of the deep and natural connection between our cultures. The 
garden's traditional architecture, totem poles, and statuary further 
embody centuries of Korean artistry and philosophical reflection, 
offering visitors an enduring space for contemplation, appreciation, 
and peace.
  As we mark this milestone, we recognize that the Korean Bell Garden 
represents far more than a place of beauty, it is a living testament to 
the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Korea and the United 
States, and to the shared values that continue to strengthen our 
partnership.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the fifteenth 
anniversary of the Korean Bell Garden and in expressing our deep 
appreciation for the Korean American community of Virginia's 11th 
Congressional District. May this garden continue to serve as a beacon 
of peace, hope, and harmony for generations to come.

                          ____________________