[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16558]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



          COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KOREAN WAR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SAM GEJDENSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 2000

  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, it is with great appreciation today, on 
the fiftieth anniversary of the Korean War, to celebrate those who 
fought for this country and its ideals.
  I respect those who served in the Korean War and for the more than 
54,000 who didn't return. I commend the men and women who served 
valiantly and with little recognition. These brave veterans returned 
home and went back to work to make our country the greatest nation on 
Earth.
  Because of this lack of attention, the Korean War has frequently been 
called ``The Forgotten War.'' Today I say that we have not forgotten. 
To this day, American and South Korean troops stand watch on the Korean 
peninsula, living testaments to this critical episode in the annals of 
the Cold War. Millions of citizens in South Korea remember the 
sacrifices Americans made and cherish the freedom that we fought to 
preserve for them.
  Let me also pay special tribute to those who have made it their 
mission to ensure we do not forget those who fought there and did not 
return. Bob Dumas, a constituent of mine, continues his untiring search 
for his brother, Roger, who remains MIA in North Korea. Remains of 
another twelve American servicemen were returned to the U.S. by North 
Korea on Saturday. I believe we must continue to press until we have 
accounted for all lost in the conflict.
  Finally, let me challenge my colleagues to take this opportunity, 
while we are remembering this ``Forgotten War,'' to renew our 
commitment to those who served with honor, those who fought bravely, 
and those who died with valor in the service of our country--our 
veterans. Whether they served at Chosin Reservoir, Bunker Hill, Bloody 
Ridge, or Heartbreak Ridge, let us respect their service and sacrifice 
through fully supporting those programs which they truly deserve: 
adequate funding of medical facilities including mental health 
programs; more Community Based Outreach Clinics to bring health care 
closer to our aging veterans; more coordination among federal agencies 
for our homeless veterans; and continued support of education and 
rehabilitation. Given the sacrifices of our veterans, we owe them much 
more than just a debt of gratitude--we owe them the care that they 
earned.

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