[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 15293-15296]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE STRONG ALLIANCE BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND THE 
                             UNITED STATES

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 295) recognizing the strong alliance between 
the Republic of Korea and the United States and expressing appreciation 
to the Republic of Korea for its efforts in the global war against 
terrorism, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 295

       Recognizing the strong alliance between the Republic of 
     Korea and the United States and expressing appreciation to 
     the Republic of Korea for its efforts in the global war 
     against terrorism.
       Whereas for more than 50 years since the outbreak of the 
     Korean War, a close relationship has existed between the 
     United States and the Republic of Korea, which has been of 
     enormous economic, cultural, and strategic advantage to both 
     nations;
       Whereas President George W. Bush and President Roh Moo Hyun 
     have demonstrated their mutual willingness to forge a deeper 
     alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea 
     to enhance stability in East Asia;
       Whereas the 29,000 United States armed services personnel 
     who are stationed in the Republic of Korea serve as a 
     testament to the enduring strength of the 1953 U.S.-R.O.K. 
     Mutual Defense Treaty;
       Whereas the foundation of the relationship between the 
     United States and the Republic of Korea rests on a shared 
     interest in and commitment to peace, democracy, and freedom 
     on the Korean Peninsula, in Asia, and throughout the world;
       Whereas the Republic of Korea and the United States are 
     both deeply committed to the Six Party Talks and have a 
     mutual interest in keeping the Korean Peninsula free of 
     nuclear weapons;

[[Page 15294]]

       Whereas the Republic of Korea has more than 1,200 armed 
     services personnel deployed in Iraq, constituting the third 
     largest coalition contingent in Iraq behind the United States 
     and the United Kingdom;
       Whereas the Republic of Korea has more than 200 armed 
     services personnel deployed in Afghanistan; and
       Whereas the Republic of Korea has pledged $460,000,000 
     toward reconstruction and stabilization in postwar Iraq: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives recognizes the 
     strong alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United 
     States and expresses appreciation to the Republic of Korea 
     for its contributions to international efforts to combat 
     terrorism.

                              {time}  1530

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. 
Boozman) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from American Samoa.


                             General Leave

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from American Samoa?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume, and I rise in strong support of the resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, let me first commend our distinguished colleague and 
former member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, my good friend and 
colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. King), for being the author 
of and introducing this important resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, the strong alliance between the United States and the 
Republic of Korea has been a pivotal relationship in world affairs 
since our involvement when we fought side by side in the Korean war 
over half a century ago. Out of that conflict was born one of the most 
significant dividing lines of the Cold War, a demilitarized zone on the 
38th parallel that splits the Korean Peninsula and marked the divide 
between Communist Asia and democratic Asia. The partnership between our 
two countries held this line for decades. Today we help maintain a 
stable peace in Southeast Asia.
  In the post-Cold War period, the Republic of Korea has remained a 
steadfast U.S. ally. It has contributed troops and pledged 
reconstruction funds for Iraq, and its forces are deployed in 
Afghanistan. As a key member of the six-party talks to denuclearize 
North Korea, it shares an important responsibility for broader security 
in Northeast Asia. Today we are committed absolutely to compelling the 
dangerous North Korea regime to eliminate its nuclear program.
  Overall, South Korea is a key partner and an ally in the challenge of 
combating world terrorism. The combination of emerging terrorism 
threats and the North Korean challenge makes this resolution 
particularly important today.
  I certainly want to commend my good friend, Assistant Secretary 
Christopher Hill of the State Department, for his diligence and efforts 
in negotiating with the North Koreans in the six-party talks. I would 
be remiss if I did not also recognize a most significant contribution 
made by the Republic of China and the help that they have contributed 
in bringing the North Koreans to the negotiating table and for which 
the negotiations are now ongoing, hopefully to bring about a resolution 
to this important problem.
  In economic realms, Mr. Speaker, the U.S. relationship with the 
Republic of Korea is one of our strongest in Asia. The Republic of 
Korea was one of the original East Asian Tigers and served as a model 
for other countries in Asia with its booming economic growth in the 
seventies, eighties and nineties. South Korea now is the United States' 
seventh largest trading partner in the world.
  This resolution honors the close alliance between the United States 
and the Republic of Korea and recognizes South Korea's important 
contributions to fighting not only terrorism around the world, but also 
welcomes a strengthening and deepening of the relationship between our 
two countries and our peoples.
  Mr. Speaker, when I was in Vietnam, I remember vividly the presence 
of some 50,000 soldiers from South Korea who served alongside us, the 
U.S. forces. I kind of like to say now you know where your real friends 
are.
  I am reminded of a Chinese proverb: there are many acquaintances, but 
very few friends. South Korea was one of those few friends who was 
willing to put their action where their talk is; and the fact that 
50,000 soldiers were there fighting along U.S. forces and in that 
terrible conflict that we faced in Vietnam, I cannot help but express 
my personal commendation and appreciation to the leaders and to the 
people of South Korea when they were there with us when we needed help.
  I visited South Korea several times and I consider them the most 
industrious people on this planet. There are over 1 million Korean 
Americans living in our country today, some among the most prominent in 
the areas of science and doctors. They have become lawyers, engineers 
and are in all types of businesses. I have a very strong affection for 
the Korean people and those fellow citizens who happen to be of Korean 
ancestry.
  So I think this resolution is most fitting. Again, I commend my good 
friend, the gentleman from New York, for offering and proposing this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution, which 
recognizes the enduring ties of an alliance first forged over half a 
century ago in the crucible of the Korean War. It was heartening to see 
the photographs from Seoul of the thousands of South Korean citizens 
who gathered in a downtown plaza on June 6, Korea's memorial day, to 
express their support of the alliance. They waved South Korean flags 
and the Stars and Stripes together to show enthusiasm for the strong 
bonds that link our two countries.
  Later this month, June 25, marks the 57th anniversary of the North 
Korean invasion across the Demilitarized Zone. This surprise attack in 
the early hours of a Sunday morning sought to snuff the life out of an 
embryonic South Korean democracy. President Harry Truman's immediate 
unflinching decision to come to the aid of an embattled South Korea 
proved that the United States would not retreat from its rendezvous 
with destiny.
  Together with our South Korean and other allies, we turned the tide 
of war at Inchon and preserved the South Korean state, which we honor 
as an ally today.
  South Korea's commitment to the alliance is seen in many ways, as in 
the 1,200 South Korean military personnel deployed to Iraq, which makes 
South Korea's contribution the third largest in the coalition 
contingent. There is also the $460 million which the Republic of Korea 
has pledged toward postwar Iraq reconstruction, and there are the close 
consultations we hold together in the six-party process to resolve the 
North Korean nuclear issue. These are the actions of a true and loyal 
friend, for which we express our gratitude in this resolution.
  Let me also take this opportunity to second the words of the United 
States forces Korea commander, General Bell, that South Korea Sergeant 
Yoon Jang-ho, who was South Korea's first uniformed casualty in the war 
on terror, was a hero. Sergeant Yoon was killed February 27 by a 
suicide bomber in Bagram, Afghanistan.
  This young soldier, although born in Korea, had spent his high school 
and college years in Indiana, graduating from Indiana University. He 
returned to South Korea to complete his military service and 
volunteered for service in Afghanistan. His loss was deeply felt, both 
in his home nation of Korea and his adopted hometown of Bloomington, 
Indiana.
  The shared mourning of the peoples of two nations for this valiant 
soldier is one more concrete indication of the

[[Page 15295]]

ties that bind our two nations. Another, of course, is the talent and 
dynamism of the 2-million-strong ethnic Korean community in the United 
States. Los Angeles represents the largest concentrated urban center of 
Korean culture outside of the Korean Peninsula. For this enriching 
contribution to America's melting pot, we are extremely grateful.
  I therefore urge immediate passage of this resolution which 
recognizes this strong and enduring alliance.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, again I want to commend and thank my good friend for his 
eloquent statement and add that this is not a partisan piece of 
legislation. It is fully bipartisan. I certainly commend not only our 
distinguished chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Lantos, 
but also our senior ranking member, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, for their support 
of this proposed legislation.
  It is ironic that we are dealing with several pieces of legislation, 
earlier on being the Olympics, and now we are dealing with South Korea.
  I remember years ago when I attended the Olympics in 1988 in Korea, I 
ran into a gentleman who is a Korean American by the name of Dr. Sammy 
Lee. I asked him why this Samoan American was so good in the art of 
diving, perhaps one of the greatest Olympic divers ever in the history 
of the Olympics, whose name is none other than Greg Louganis. I asked 
Dr. Sammy Lee, why is it that Greg Louganis was such a great Olympic 
diver? He said, Eni, look at his legs. They are Samoan legs, and the 
reason for this is that it gives him the ability to jump higher than 
any of his Olympic competitors. And because he can jump higher than 
anybody, that is what gives him the opportunity to accomplish more 
difficult flips than any of the other divers. By the way, Dr. Sammy Lee 
was also the trainer for Greg Louganis in the Olympics in 1988.
  Another note of interest is that when I talked to Dr. Sammy Lee when 
he was training for the Olympics, he could not even train together with 
his fellow white Americans while he was training for the Olympics. Can 
you believe that? So he had to invent what high diving boards were 
supposed to look like, whether it be going on cliffs or other high 
platforms to allow him to practice his diving ability. And guess what? 
He got the gold medal for the United States for the Olympics, a Korean 
American, Dr. Sammy Lee.
  I just wanted to make that as a note of interest for my colleagues 
and also in view of the fact that we have talked about the Olympics and 
we have talked about South Korea.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, this resolution is very important to show our 
sense of appreciation, especially to the good leaders and the people of 
South Korea, how much we care about them, how important they are, how 
important they are to our strategic and our economic interests in that 
important region of the world.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
strong support for H.R. 295, and, in doing so, I would first like to 
commend Mr. King for introducing this resolution. The relationship 
between the United States and the Republic of Korea has been a pivotal 
relationship in world affairs since our forces fought side by side in 
Korean War over a half century ago. Out of that conflict marked the 
divide between communist Asia and democratic Asia. The partnership 
between us and the Republic of Korea held the divide for decades, and 
together we helped maintain stable peace in East Asia.
  In the post-Cold War world, the Republic of Korea has remained a 
steadfast U.S. ally. Its forces are deployed in Afghanistan and it has 
contributed troops and pledged reconstruction funds for Iraq. As a key 
member of the Six Party Talks to denuclearize North Korea, it shares an 
important responsibility for broader security in Northeast Asia. 
Together, we are committed absolutely to compelling the dangerous North 
Korean regime to eliminate its nuclear program.
  Overall, South Korea is a key partner an ally in the challenge of 
combating terrorism worldwide. The combination of emerging terrorism 
threats and the North Korean challenge make this resolution 
particularly important today.
  In the economic realm, too, the U.S. relationship with the Republic 
of Korea is one of our strongest in Asia. For example, the Republic of 
Korea was one of the original ``East Asian Tigers,'' and served as a 
model for other Asian countries with a booming economic growth in the 
1970s, 80s and 90s. Currently, South Korea is now the United States' 
7th largest trading partner in the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I am extremely proud to stand as one of cosponsors of 
this legislation. This resolution honors the close alliance between the 
United States and the Republic of Korea, and recognizes South Korea's 
important contributions to fighting against terrorism around the world. 
It also welcomes the strengthening and deepening of the relationship 
between our two countries and our peoples. I thank all of my colleagues 
who have already signed on to this bill, and I urge those who have not 
to support this legislation.
  Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Res. 
295, a resolution recognizing the strong alliance between the Republic 
of Korea and the United States and expressing appreciation to the 
Republic of Korea for its efforts in the Global War on Terror. As the 
sponsor of this resolution, I join with over 35 of my colleagues in 
urging the House to pass this resolution today.
  For almost six decades, the United States and the Republic of Korea 
have maintained a strong alliance that rests on a shared commitment to 
peace, democracy, and freedom not only on the Korean peninsula but 
throughout Asia and the rest of the world. The nearly 30,000 American 
soldiers who remain stationed in the Republic of Korea are a testament 
to this relationship.
  Since September 11, 2001 we have seen this bond further strengthened 
as Korea has joined with the United States and other coalition nations 
in supporting the Global War on Terror both militarily and financially. 
Korean President Roh truly understands this grave threat and the need 
for it to be confronted. Presently, the Republic of Korea has the third 
largest coalition contingent of forces in Iraq. Korea also has troops 
deployed in Afghanistan and has generously pledged $460,000,000 toward 
reconstruction and stabilization efforts in post-war Iraq.
  The U.S. and Korea also both remain deeply committed to the Six Party 
Talks and have a mutual interest in keeping the Korean Peninsula free 
of nuclear weapons.
  Finally, the U.S. and Korea have been working diligently on a free 
trade agreement between our two countries that will deepen economic 
ties and boost trade and investment for both countries. I am pleased 
that these negotiations concluded on April 1, 2007 and it is my hope 
that the agreement will soon be signed and Congress passes the required 
enacting legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to pass this resolution today.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H. Res. 295.
  This resolution recognizes the tremendous alliance that the United 
States shares with the Republic of Korea. Korea has been one of this 
country's strongest allies, both in the international war on terror, as 
well as in expanding free trade. Korea stands as a shining example of 
democracy in action.
  In the 11th Congressional District of Virginia, I represent a growing 
and vigorous Korean American population. Korean Americans thrive in 
areas such as business, medicine, law, art and athletics. According to 
the U.S. Census Bureau, Korean Americans own and operate over 130,000 
businesses and employ over 333,000 individuals. These are prime 
examples of their importance in the United States and to the growth of 
our economy. It is clear to me that the strong alliance between the 
United States and the Republic of Korea can be seen everyday in the 
neighborhoods and workplaces right here in the Washington, D.C. area.
  The Republic of Korea's strong belief in upholding individual rights 
and liberties serves as an example for the entire Korean peninsula, as 
well as beyond. Korea's 2,300 troops deployed in Iraq and 200 troops 
deployed in Afghanistan indicate not only Korea's support of our 
efforts in ending terrorism abroad, but also illustrate Korea's strong 
commitment to spreading democracy throughout the world. Indeed, Korea 
has been one of our most ardent and unfailing allies abroad.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, today we honor an ally who is 
standing with us in the Global War on Terrorism. An ally who knows what 
it is like to fight for peace and freedom, South Korea. Just over 50 
years ago, Korea was the most violent spot on the planet as the North 
Korean government, backed by the Soviets and Chinese, swooped in to 
destroy the fledgling democracy in the south.

[[Page 15296]]

  I am a proud cosponsor of this resolution which recognizes the 
significant contributions that the South Korean military has made in 
Afghanistan and in Iraq. Our South Korean allies maintain the third 
largest contingent of personnel in Iraq, where they are helping each 
day to rebuild that nation and spread the freedom they too earned with 
blood, sweat, and grit.
  While as many as 3,600 personnel have at some time served, currently 
2,300 work in the country to provide medical services, build and repair 
roads, power lines, schools, and other public works.
  The Republic of Korea has contributed both men and money to 
rebuilding Iraq because they know how difficult it is to rise from the 
ashes of war. Since the end of the Korean War, the people of South 
Korea have built one of the world's most modern and dynamic economies.
  We hope that the Iraqi and Afghani people can look to the South 
Korean model to develop into a peaceful and prosperous nation. We thank 
the Republic of Korea and the Korean people for their sacrifice and 
their stand for freedom.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
295, a resolution that recognizes the strong alliance between the 
Republic of Korea and the United States and further expresses 
appreciation to the Republic of Korea for its efforts in the global war 
against terrorism. The dynamic and strong relations that exist between 
the United States and Republic of Korea serve as a model for 
partnerships the United States must continue to seek to establish and 
cultivate with other countries within the Asia-Pacific region and 
throughout the world.
  The contributions made by the government of the Republic of Korea 
toward helping battle terrorism are vital to providing for safety and 
security throughout the world. The efforts on the part of the Republic 
of Korea to help fight terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq and help 
develop democratic governance, strengthen civil society, and establish 
stronger economies in those countries are of particular importance to 
the United States and our allies. These missions are challenging ones. 
Their eventual, positive outcomes are less than certain at this point. 
The commitment to achieving success in Operation Enduring Freedom and 
Operation Iraqi Freedom displayed by the Republic of Korea is 
commendable and an important component of the Coalition force 
structure.
  Efforts on the part of South Korea to encourage the government of 
North Korea to act in a responsible manner with respect to its 
misguided pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile technology 
are also of paramount importance at this time to the United States and 
our allies. I am encouraged by the strong partnership that has been 
formed between the United States and South Korea and other countries 
with respect to this issue.
  I welcome the opportunity to continue to work with our South Korean 
allies toward ensuring a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous Asia-
Pacific region and world. I am confident that the United States and 
South Korea will develop even stronger political, economic, and 
security ties in the years ahead. I urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) that the House suspend 
the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 295, 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 was amended so as to read: ``A resolution recognizing the 
strong alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States and 
expressing appreciation to the Republic of Korea for its contributions 
to international efforts to combat terrorism.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________