[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12220-12221]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



            HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KOREAN WAR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 23, 2000

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, this Sunday, June 25 will be the 50th 
anniversary of the commencement of the Korean War. I join my 
colleagues, veterans, their families and all Americans in forever 
memorializing those who fought and died in the quest for freedom in 
South Asia.
  Millions today live in freedom and thrive in economic prosperity as a 
direct result of the U.S. and our U.N. allies intervening in Korea and 
taking a stand on the 38th parallel. For that sacrifice, I applaud the 
thousands of veterans who risked and sacrificed their lives so others 
could be free. Your service will stand as a permanent reminder of our 
nation's commitment to securing freedom and liberty for all.
  Last week we saw a historic meeting which many regard as the first 
step towards reuniting North and South Korea. While eventual 
reunification would still take many years of patient diplomacy, such an 
event looks more and more like a reality. I am hopeful that we can 
close this chapter and bring home our troops who continue to face 
danger along the de-militarized zone (DMZ).
  All across the country, Americans have been and will be commemorating 
the Korean War. I commend all those who take time out from their 
everyday lives to pay homage to those who served and sacrificed in 
Korea. I express my hope that across San Antonio, in South Texas, all 
over the U.S. and around the world, Americans will make every effort to 
remember the price we paid in that conflict.
  Earlier this session, the House unanimously passed H.J. Res. 86, 
recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.

[[Page 12221]]

The bill was subsequently enacted into law. It expresses congressional 
recognition of the significance of the 50th Anniversary of the Korean 
War. The resolution expresses gratitude for members of the Armed Forces 
who served in the Korean War, especially those who died in action or 
remain unaccounted for. Finally, the resolution calls upon the 
President to issue a proclamation recognizing the Korean War and those 
who fought in it, and to call on the country to observe the anniversary 
with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
  I look forward to this and future opportunities that we have to 
remember those who fought and sacrificed so that the U.S. and her 
allies could live in peace.

                          ____________________