[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14154-14155]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCTION OF THE KOREAN WAR COMMEMORATION RESOLUTION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 9, 2003

  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on June 9, 2003, I, along with 
Mr. Rangel and cosponsors Messrs. Coble and Conyers, all Korean War 
veterans, submitted a resolution recognizing and supporting the goals 
and ideals of the Year of the Korean War Veteran. I am pleased today to 
introduce this bill and honor those who fought courageously and 
fearlessly for our country and our cause.
  This year marks the final year of the United States' 50th Anniversary 
of the Korean War Commemoration and the 50th year of the Armistice. The 
commemoration period began on June 25, 2000, marking the 50th 
anniversary of the invasion of South Korea, and will continue through 
Veteran's Day 2003. Efforts are currently under way to designate 2003 
as the Year of the Korean War Veteran.

[[Page 14155]]

  Just a few years after the war to end all wars, Korea was, in many 
ways, the first reminder that America must remain the world's leading 
force for peace, prosperity and freedom.
  Called to defend freedom and fight back forces of communism, 
1,800,000 Americans gallantly participated in the Korean War. The 
United States suffered 36,577 dead and 103,284 wounded in some of the 
most horrific conditions in the history of warfare. The service and 
sacrifices of our Korean War veterans 50 years ago saved a nation from 
communist enslavement and gave South Korea the opportunity to develop 
and flourish under freedom and democracy.
  This resolution: declares to the Nation and the world that the 
American people will never forget our veterans or those who served our 
Nation on the home front during the Korean War; recognizes and supports 
the goals and ideals of 2003 as the Year of the Korean War Veteran; 
requests the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of 
the United States to observe the Year of the Korean War Veteran with 
appropriate ceremonies and activities to thank, honor, remember and 
welcome home our Korean War veterans; and urges the chief executive 
officers of the States, and the chief executive officers of the 
political subdivisions of the States, to each issue a proclamation 
calling upon their citizens to ``Pause to Remember'' our Korean War 
veterans, their families and next of kin with appropriate activities.
  Sadly, the Korean War is sometimes referred to as the ``Forgotten 
War.'' May this resolution, along with the Korean War commemoration 
activities taking place this year, send a clear message to the world 
that the United States will never forget. Freedom is not free . . . 
should this great country wish to preserve its freedom, we must 
remember those who have paid the ultimate price.

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