[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 1478-1482]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING LEE MYUNG-BAK ON ELECTION TO PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC 
                                OF KOREA

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 947) congratulating Lee Myung-Bak on his election 
to the Presidency of the Republic of Korea and wishing him well during 
his time of transition and his inauguration on February 25, 2008.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 947

       Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea share a 
     longstanding and comprehensive alliance rooted in the common 
     principles of freedom and democracy;
       Whereas on June 11, 2007, the House of Representatives 
     passed H. Res. 295 recognizing ``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'';
       Whereas on December 19, 2007, the Senate passed S. Res. 279 
     recognizing that ``the strength and endurance of the alliance 
     between the United States and the Republic of Korea should be 
     acknowledged and celebrated'';
       Whereas, since 2000, the United States House of 
     Representatives and the Republic of Korea National Assembly 
     have engaged in an interparliamentary exchange to discuss 
     issues central to the U.S.-Republic of Korea relationship;
       Whereas there are deep cultural and personal ties between 
     the peoples of the United States and the Republic of Korea, 
     as exemplified by the large flow of visitors and exchanges 
     each year between the two nations, as well as the nearly two 
     million Korean-Americans;
       Whereas Congress recognizes January 13 as Korean-American 
     Day, honoring the contributions of Korean-Americans in 
     forging stronger bilateral ties between our two countries;
       Whereas the Republic of Korea is the United States seventh 
     largest trading partner and the United States is the third 
     largest trading partner of the Republic of Korea with nearly 
     $80 billion in annual trade volume;
       Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea are 
     working closely together to promote international peace and 
     security, economic prosperity, human rights, and the rule of 
     law; and
       Whereas Lee Myung-Bak, upon winning the election to become 
     the next President of the Republic of Korea, stated that he 
     would seek to further strengthen the relationship with the 
     United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates 
     Lee Myung-Bak on his election to the presidency of the 
     Republic of Korea and wishes him well during his time of 
     transition and on his inauguration on February 25, 2008.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Payne) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which 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 New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, 
and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I would like to first thank my friend Mr. Royce of California for 
introducing this resolution which congratulates President-elect Lee 
Myung-Bak on his victory in the South Korean presidential elections.
  In electing Lee Myung-Bak, the South Korean people have selected a 
man of exceptional accomplishment and proven leadership. During his 27 
years at the helm of Hyundai Group, Mr. Lee transformed the company 
from a successful but relatively small local corporation into South 
Korea's largest industrial conglomerate with a dominant worldwide 
presence.
  Mr. Lee and Hyundai's success helped drive the Republic of Korea's 
dramatic success as an East Asian economic ``tiger'' in the seventies, 
eighties and nineties. The parallel is particularly appropriate since 
in English the Korean word ``hyundai'' means ``modern.'' As Mr. Lee led 
the company to new heights, he played a direct role in the 
spectacularly rapid modernization of the Republic of Korea.
  Mr. Lee's extraordinary professional career is right at home among 
the American Dream stories of our Nation. The son of a cattle rancher 
who fell onto hard times, Mr. Lee was born into poverty and worked his 
way through college as a garbage collector. Relying on his talents and 
work ethic, he eventually rose to the pinnacle of the business world.
  Committing himself to politics, he became the mayor of Seoul and 
applied his leadership skills and his no-nonsense approach to improve 
that important city. Now as South Korea's president, he is uniquely 
able to lead and further strengthen his country, one of the United 
States' closest and most significant allies.
  Mr. Lee's story is a potent reminder that the friendship between the 
United States and the Republic of Korea is based not only on our shared 
interest but also our shared values. For over 50 years, our two 
countries fought together against common threats such as communism, but 
the foundation of our alliance is a common commitment to democracy, 
individual liberties, and human rights.
  The end of the Cold War did not end the critical role of our alliance 
in promoting and protecting political and economic freedoms in Asia and 
around the world. Today, we work side by side to combat international 
terrorism, denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, and promote peace and 
stability in northeast Asia. This work relies on our strong military 
alliance, bolstered by 28,000 military personnel stationed in the 
Republic of Korea.
  We also share a dynamic economic relationship. With two-way trade 
approaching $80 billion, South Korea is the United States' seventh 
largest trading partner, and the United States is the fourth largest 
trading partner of the Republic of Korea. Our shared commitment to 
free, fair, and open political systems is reinforced by our commitment 
to free, fair, and open markets.
  Further strengthening our bilateral relationships and our bonds of 
friendship are the millions of South Korean visitors that come to the 
United States and the millions of visitors from the United States that 
travel to South Korea every year. Many South Koreans who come to the 
United States do so to visit their Korean American family

[[Page 1479]]

members, who make up a vitally important part of the United States' 
social and economic fabric.
  Based on these shared interests and values, the U.S.-Republic of 
Korea relationship is strong and is poised to grow even stronger.
  With this resolution, we in Congress rightly congratulate Mr. Lee 
Myung-Bak on becoming the next president of South Korea, welcome his 
inauguration on February 25, and look forward to the opportunity to 
work with him to further strengthen the relationship between our two 
countries.
  I strongly support this resolution, and I encourage my colleagues to 
do the same.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, House Resolution 
947, which I authored and which has the support of Chairman Lantos and 
Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen and Mr. Payne and Mr. Faleomavaega of the 
Foreign Affairs Committee, among others.
  I serve as a member of the Asia Subcommittee and as the vice chairman 
of the U.S.-Republic of Korea Interparliamentary Exchange. This 
resolution congratulates Lee Myung-Bak on his election as president of 
the Republic of Korea and wishes him well during his time of 
transition.
  In this country, Korean Americans watched the Korean presidential 
campaign with great interest, and their community has played a very 
important role in bringing greater attention to issues of mutual 
importance, and I would like to recognize their efforts.
  The U.S. partnership with Korea dates back to 1882 with the signing 
of the Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce, and Navigation between the 
Kingdom of Chosun and the United States. This treaty contemplates 
everlasting amity and friendship between our two peoples, and for over 
125 years, we have worked to achieve this.
  One of the truest tests of our partnership with South Korea came in 
June of 1950 when Communist North Korea invaded the South. American and 
South Korean forces fought valiantly side by side and they warded off 
that Communist onslaught.
  In the 60 years since, the U.S.-South Korean relationship has 
blossomed in every respect: economic, political, militarily. Nearly 
30,000 U.S. troops stand along with the South Korean Army to preserve 
stability in northeast Asia. South Korea has grown into the seventh 
largest trading partner with the United States.
  And on February 25 of this year, Lee Myung-Bak will assume the 
presidency of the Republic of Korea. He does so at a critical time 
during our partnership. The Republic of Korea and the U.S. once again 
face a great challenge in dealing with a nuclear-armed North Korea, a 
regime that denies its citizens the most basic of human rights. The Six 
Party Talks have stalled, and Kim Jong-Il's regime has continually 
failed to come clean on the extent of its nuclear programs. Yesterday, 
Admiral Michael McConnell, Director of National Intelligence, testified 
that ``while Pyongyang denies a program for uranium enrichment, and 
they deny their proliferation activities, we believe North Korea 
continues to engage in both.''
  I am hopeful that President-elect Lee Myung-Bak will offer a new, 
effective approach to these challenges. To date, Lee Myung-Bak has 
argued that the previous administrations gave too much unconditional 
aid to buy reconciliation with the North. In a recent press conference, 
President-elect Lee said he would like to discuss human rights and the 
whereabouts of abducted South Koreans with Pyongyang. Such 
``controversial'' issues, amazingly, were taboo to previous governments 
which sat out a U.N. condemnation of North Korea's human rights abuses 
just last fall.
  Importantly, President-elect Lee is a strong proponent of the U.S. 
trade agreement. As the South Korean Army continues to strengthen, the 
economic relationship between our two countries will increasingly 
define this overall relationship. That is why I heard so much about the 
trade agreement on my trip to Korea last summer in my role as the vice 
chairman of the U.S.-Republic of Korea Interparliamentary Exchange.
  At a time when many are worried about the future of our economy, it 
is essential that we expand into foreign markets. The Korea-U.S. FTA 
will do just that, opening up Korean markets to U.S. products. If KORUS 
isn't passed, it won't just be our economy that will suffer, but our 
relationship with the Republic of Korea.
  In closing, I would like to congratulate President-elect Lee on his 
victory. In the past 60 years, the U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance has 
helped move both countries forward. I know many of us in Congress 
greatly look forward to the opportunity to work together to further our 
already-strong partnership.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield to the ranking 
member, Mr. Smith, for as much time as he may consume.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I congratulate the gentleman 
on his authorship of this fine resolution. I rise today to express my 
support for the resolution honoring the upcoming inauguration of Mr. 
Lee Myung-Bak as 17th President of the Republic of Korea.
  South Korea's rise from the ashes of war and subsequent evolution as 
a vibrant and prosperous democracy is truly one of the miracles of the 
second half of the 20th century.
  I believe that our Korean war veterans, who sacrificed so much and 
fought so valiantly, and all of the American people, can take great 
pride in the assistance that we provided for that remarkable evolution.
  Today, the bright lights in the night sky on the southern half of the 
Korean peninsula stand in marked contrast to the shadow of darkness 
that enfolds North Korea. North Korea is a tragic failed state and is 
one of the great losers of the Cold War; yet its starving yearn to 
breathe free and share in the prosperity of South Korea.
  The peaceful, democratic reunification of North Koreans with their 
southern brothers is a noble endeavor to which we should give our full 
and unflinching support.
  Mr. Lee's inauguration comes at a time when we have reached a 
crossroads on the Korean peninsula.
  North Korea must decide whether to completely and unconditionally 
renounce its nuclear weapons program and finally join the family of 
nations. Its alternative is to slip slowly into the abyss as a dynamic 
South Korea leaves it farther and farther behind.
  The fact that President Lee has given a firm indication that he 
wishes to work together with the United States and our allies as a team 
to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis is welcome news indeed. Mr. 
Lee has also said that it is his priority to strengthen an alliance 
which was forged in the crucible of the Korean War.
  From the dark days of the Pusan perimeter to the brilliant Inchon 
landing, American, Allied, and South Korean troops all fought together 
in the drive to victory with the liberation of Seoul. This is in part 
the shared history of our two countries which has linked us in a common 
destiny.
  I would especially like to commend President Lee for raising the 
long-forgotten issue of the old soldiers of South Korea, left behind as 
POWs in the North and held against their will for over 50 years since 
the signing of the armistice. I would also like to note with extreme 
sadness that more than 8,000 U.S. servicemen remain missing in action 
from that conflict.
  Finally, the alliance and friendship between the Republic of Korea 
and the United States have been promoted and deepened by the many 
contributions of our own vibrant Korean American community. While ever 
mindful of the old country from which they came, Korean Americans have 
stepped forward in innumerable ways, in science, medicine, religion, 
business, education, music, athletics, and culture, to make invaluable 
contributions to the United States.

[[Page 1480]]

  In saluting President-elect Lee and the strength of our alliance, we 
also honor those Korean Americans who have ensured that the links 
between our two countries are truly the ties that bind.
  So, President-elect Lee, we wish you and your country Godspeed as you 
approach your inauguration on February 25.

                              {time}  1615

  Mr. PAYNE. Let me once again say that I certainly support this very 
timely resolution and urge that our two countries continue to forge 
strong relations.
  We, as has been mentioned, have a very strong Korean American 
community, even in my State of New Jersey. But also, I'd just like to 
mention, now that I'm thinking about it, several years ago I had the 
opportunity to visit a hospital in Ethiopia. A Christian organization 
built a hospital. Much of the funds came from individual businesspeople 
from South Korea. The Myung Sung Christian Hospital in Addis is the 
finest hospital in all of Ethiopia, and it was built by the Koreans who 
wanted to show their appreciation for Ethiopian soldiers who fought 
with them in the Korean War.
  And, as a matter of fact, it's very interesting that the South Korean 
Government still pays veterans a monthly stipend, those who are still 
alive, of course, and who served in that war, they send them a check 
every month to show their appreciation for the Ethiopians who fought. I 
don't know of many countries that have done anything like that.
  So, Mr. Royce, I certainly support your resolution.
  Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I am pleased that the House 
is considering H. Res. 947 today, congratulating Lee Myung-Bak on his 
election to the Presidency of the Republic of Korea. I was proud to 
cosponsor this resolution and I join with my fellow Members in wishing 
him well during his time of transition this month.
  When Lee Myung-Bak is inaugurated on February 25, I am confident that 
he will do much to broaden the longstanding relationship between the 
Republic of Korea and the United States of America. In the past month, 
he has already met with President Bush and Vice President Cheney, as 
well as several members of the President's Cabinet and Members of 
Congress.
  President-elect Myung-Bak is well-qualified to assume his new role. 
He earned a B.A. in Business Administration at the Korea University and 
later served as a Visiting Scholar at George Washington University here 
in Washington, DC before being awarded two Honorary Doctor of Economics 
degrees.
  Additionally, President-elect Myung-Bak's past professional 
experience has honed his vital business, diplomatic, and political 
skills. For 15 years, he was the CEO of 10 Hyundai Group affiliated 
companies. He then served as a National Assemblyman from 1992 to 1998 
before being elected Mayor of Seoul in 2002.
  I applaud President-elect Myung-Bak for expressing his commitment to 
free market policies that encourage both foreign and domestic 
investors. I look forward to the ratification of the United States-
South Korea Free Trade Agreement and I welcome his proposed plans to 
reduce trade restrictions and lower tax rates. Furthermore, as the 
Republic of South Korea assists in negotiating Pyongyang's 
denuclearization, I urge the President-elect to closely integrate U.S. 
and Japanese initiatives related to the Democratic People's Republic of 
Korea.
  Today, I join my colleagues in congratulating President-elect Myung-
Bak, and I wish him, his wife and four children success in the years 
ahead.
  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of House Resolution 947, sponsored by my friend and colleague from 
California, Mr. Royce, which offers the House of Representatives' 
congratulations to Lee Myung-Bak on his election to the presidency of 
the Republic of Korea.
  Additionally, this resolution recognizes the very special and 
longstanding relationship between South Korea and the United States; a 
relationship whose modern day form was first forged in the heat of 
battle as U.S. and South Korean soldiers fought to defend South Korea 
from aggression by Communist North Korea. In fact, our history of 
friendship reaches beyond the past century; and just last year we 
celebrated the 125th anniversary of the Korean American Treaty of 
Peace, Amity, Commerce and Navigation which was signed in 1882.
  In my opinion, it is hard to overestimate the importance of the close 
bond between the United States and South Korea. The United States and 
Korea have a mutual defense treaty that dates back to 1953, and Korea 
has supported U.S. military efforts abroad, as recently as in both Iraq 
and Afghanistan. Korea has been one of only four partners and allies 
that stood with us through all four major conflicts since World War II. 
In addition, South Korea demonstrated her great friendship and 
generosity in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, pledging over $30 
million in aid for relief and recovery efforts--the fourth largest 
amount donated by any foreign country.
  On June 30, 2007, representatives of both governments signed the 
historic United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement. If and when this 
agreement is approved by Congress I believe it will increase trade and 
investment flowing through our agriculture, industrial, consumer 
products, automobile and financial services sectors. I believe this 
agreement will enhance the strong partnership between two great 
democratic nations and will open the door wider to the exchange of 
science and ideas that will cause us both to continue to prosper.
  This agreement is a natural extension of the strong affinity between 
our two countries, marked by extraordinary diplomatic, political, 
military, and economic cooperation. Although the devil is always in the 
details, I understand that this agreement could potentially be the most 
commercially-significant free trade agreement signed by the United 
States in more than a decade.
  As many of my colleagues already know, South Korea is already the 
United States' seventh largest export market and sixth largest market 
for U.S. agricultural products. In fact, according to the latest 
statistics, our annual bilateral trade totals nearly $80 billion. Any 
agreement that can open up more Korean markets to U.S. goods and 
services can only have a positive effect on the American economy by 
creating more and better jobs, enriching consumer choice, and boosting 
U.S. industry and manufacturing.
  Koreans have invested nearly $20 billion in the United States, and 
have created American jobs through companies like Hyundai Motors, 
Samsung Electronics, and Kia Motors. And as the largest investor in 
Korea, the United States already has a leading presence in that 
country.
  As I have said before and will continue to say, I think it is 
important to note that trade relationships do more than just facilitate 
economic growth; this FTA recognizes our special relationship with 
South Korea that I mentioned before and makes the strong statement that 
we will continue to stand with our allies.
  South Korea is the fifth largest tourism-generating country to the 
United States with over 800,000 Koreans visiting the U.S. every single 
year. This number is expected to double (at the minimum) when South 
Korea joins the Visa Waiver Program. According to the Department of 
Homeland Security, South Korea also has the largest foreign student 
population in the U.S. Nearly 2 million Americans of Korean descent 
live in communities all across our Nation, representing all walks of 
life and making innumerable contributions to the enrichment of our 
Nation's culture and economy.
  South Korea is a strong, unwavering ally in the U.S.-led Global War 
on Terror, having dispatched the third largest contingent of troops to 
Iraq, and to Afghanistan (where a South Korean soldier was killed 
during hostile action), and to Lebanon in support of peacekeeping 
operations; and South Korea is a key partner in the Six-Party Talks to 
resolve North Korea's nuclear issue.
  I firmly believe that South Korea may be the premier success story of 
U.S. foreign policy in the post-World War II period. Having assisted 
South Korea in transforming itself from a war-torn, impoverished 
economy into a successful democracy with a free enterprise economy (the 
world's 11th largest), South Korea is now an indispensable partner with 
the United States in promoting democracy, a free market economy and 
respect for the rule of law around the world.
  I believe that President-Elect Myung-Bak understands and appreciates 
the important history behind our bilateral relations. His desire to 
better relations with the United States through an emphasis on free 
market solutions encourages me that the work we have begun will 
continue to grow under his leadership. I look forward to a continuation 
of the United States-South Korean partnership during the President-
Elect's term and for many years beyond.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 947 and join me in 
congratulating President Lee Myung-Bak, and extending to him the very 
best wishes of the House of Representatives as he assumes office later 
this month.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, let me first commend our 
distinguished colleague

[[Page 1481]]

and member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, 
the Pacific and the Global Environment, my good friend and colleague, 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) for being the author of and 
introducing this important resolution.
  The underlying context for this important resolution, which 
congratulates President-elect Lee Myung-Bak and wishes him well as he 
assumes his new duties on February 25, 2008, is that the Republic of 
Korea has, through the industrious will of its people and the 
unyielding leadership of its elected officials, transformed itself into 
a successful democratic nation.
  As the twentieth century taught us all too well, democratic 
governance is a fragile enterprise. That the Republic of Korea, in 
merely six decades, emerged from the ashes of colonial rule and war 
torn poverty to become the eleventh largest economy in the world and 
America's seventh largest trading partner, is a tribute to their strong 
democratic principles and indelible desire to live peacefully and 
prosperously despite the enormous challenges facing the Korean 
Peninsula and the Northeast Asia region.
  Madam Speaker, the strong alliance between the United States and the 
Republic of Korea has proven itself to be a relevant and resilient 
relationship since our involvement when we fought side by side in the 
Korean War nearly 58 years ago. Out of that often ``forgotten'' 
conflict was born one of the most significant dividing lines of the 
Cold War, the demilitarized zone on the 38th parallel but, at the same 
time, one of the most successful alliances in our Nation's history.
  The Republic of Korea has remained a steadfast ally of the United 
States. South Korea has contributed the third largest coalition troop 
contingent in Iraq, pledged $460 million toward postwar reconstruction 
and had previously also committed troops for peacekeeping operations in 
Afghanistan, and Lebanon. As a key member of the Six-Party Talks to 
denuclearize North Korea, the Republic of Korea shares an important 
responsibility for broader security in Northeast Asia. Today, we are 
committed absolutely to compelling the North Korean regime to eliminate 
its nuclear program and to ensuring that promises made by Pyongyang 
are, in fact, followed through with verifiable action.
  The combination of South Korea's efforts to stand alongside the 
United States in meeting the global threats of the 21st century as well 
as the North Korean challenge makes this resolution particularly 
important today. President-elect Lee Myung-Bak has stated that he 
``will do [his] best to resolve the North Korean nuclear problem 
through cooperation and a strengthened relationship with the United 
States.'' I am very encouraged by President-elect Lee's remarks and, as 
Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global 
Environment, I look forward to working with his administration to this 
end.
  What is clear from our longstanding relationship over the past half-
century is that it is reciprocal. As President-elect Lee's Special 
Envoy to the United States, Dr. Chung Mong-Joon, said recently after 
meeting Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte last month, ``We both 
need each other.'' Let me also take this opportunity to once again 
congratulate my good friend, Dr. Han Seung-soo, on his nomination to 
become Prime Minister. I am confident that Dr. Han's nomination will 
serve to further consolidate our alliance partnership under President-
elect Lee's leadership.
  Madam Speaker, many years ago, I served in the U.S. Army during the 
Vietnam War, and I remember vividly the presence of more than 300,000 
soldiers from South Korea who bravely served and fought alongside our 
American forces. Through that particular experience, I learned quickly 
and firsthand, the special friendship and bond that existed between the 
United States and the Republic of Korea.
  I personally will never forget the sacrifices that South Korean 
soldiers made in that terrible conflict in Vietnam. In fact, South 
Korea has the unique distinction of being one of only four allies that 
fought alongside the United States in all four major conflicts since 
World War II and I hope that my other colleagues will join me in 
thanking the leaders and people of the Republic of Korea for the untold 
sacrifices they made to be with us when we needed help.
  This resolution, while focusing on the peaceful, democratic 
transition to the presidency of Lee Myung-Bak, honors our special 
alliance but also welcomes a strengthening and deepening of the 
relationship between our two countries and our two peoples.
  I have had the privilege on several occasions to visit the Republic 
of Korea and I have observed that the South Korean people are among the 
most industrious men and women in the world. However this trait for 
hard work and entrepreneurship developed, it has carried over despite 
geographic distance to the more than two million Americans of Korean 
heritage and descent that live throughout our own country today. The 
vibrant Korean American communities across the United States include 
some of the most prominent individuals that have contributed to every 
facet of American life in every state and territory.
  Madam Speaker, this resolution is very important to show our sense of 
appreciation to all South Koreans, to express how much we care about 
them and how important they are to our strategic and economic interests 
in that important region of the world. Its effect is not just to 
deliver good wishes to President-elect Lee as he assumes office on 
February 25, but to send a message of solidarity to the government and 
people of the Republic of Korea and to the soldiers who have fought 
side by side with the men and women of our own armed forces over the 
past nearly 60 years.
  For all these reasons, this resolution is most fitting, and proper. I 
wish to congratulate President-elect Lee Myung-Bak and commend again my 
good friend, the gentleman from California, for offering and proposing 
this resolution. I strongly encourage my colleagues to offer their own 
expressions of support and urge the House to adopt this resolution 
today.
  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I want to commend Mr. Royce on sponsoring 
H. Res. 947, a resolution congratulating Lee Myung-Bak on his election 
to the Presidency of the Republic of Korea and wishing him well during 
his transition and inauguration on February 25, 2008.
  The United States and Korea share a longstanding and special 
relationship. Our strong alliance is rooted in the common principles of 
freedom and democracy. Today that relationship has blossomed into a 
strong economic partnership in which the Republic of Korea has become 
one of the United States' major trading partners. In my State of 
California, Korea is the State's fifth largest trading partner and the 
Los Angeles Custom District's third largest trading partner, with $18 
billion in two-way trade annually.
  In my congressional district in Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Culver 
City, ethnic Koreans have built a thriving business and cultural area 
known as Koreatown. Many maintain close cultural, business, and family 
ties to their homeland. Accordingly, it is my hope that the Republic of 
Korea will be fully admitted into the Visa Waiver Program in the very 
near future so that we may share even closer people-to-people exchanges 
between our two countries.
  H. Res. 947 is also timely and important due to the ongoing Six-Party 
Talks and current attempts to dismantle North Korea's nuclear weapons 
program. President-elect Lee has pledged to make the denuclearization 
of the Korean Peninsula a priority of his administration. In order to 
achieve the goal of a nuclear free Korean Peninsula, the Republic of 
Korea will need the full support of the United States.
  Madam Speaker, as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus of Korea and 
the U.S.-Korea Inter-Parliamentary Exchange and as a member of the 
House Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and Global Environment, I am 
committed to ensuring that the rock-solid U.S.-Korea alliance remains 
relevant, resilient, and enduring.
  For these reasons, I again congratulate President-elect Lee on his 
electoral victory and am certain that I speak for all of my 
Congressional colleagues in wishing him the best.
  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
947 which welcomes the new President of the Republic of Korea, Lee 
Myung-Bak, and congratulates him on his upcoming inauguration later 
this month. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this important 
resolution.
  Madam Speaker, not a little more than a half century ago--within 
living memory of several Members of this House, most notably our 
distinguished Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, my dear 
friend Mr. Rangel--the Republic of Korea was an impoverished casualty 
of imperialism and war. It has since grown to be affluent and 
productive beyond the wildest dreams of the American and South Korean 
soldiers who fought shoulder-to-shoulder for freedom and democracy 
during the Korean War.
  There are over two million Americans of Korean descent living 
throughout the United States, from Hawaii, where the first Korean 
immigrants landed a little more than a century ago, to New York, which 
is home to one of the largest and most vibrant Korean American 
communities in the Nation. It is important to note that Korean 
Americans have made significant contributions in New York politically, 
economically, culturally and through their various civic and religious 
organizations.
  The newly elected President of the Republic of Korea is a 
distinguished statesman and prominent business leader. President-elect

[[Page 1482]]

Lee Myung-Bak has served as a Member of the South Korean National 
Assembly; he was Mayor of Seoul, South Korea's largest city and 
capital; he has been a visiting scholar at the George Washington 
University; and he has been the chief executive officer of some of the 
Republic of' Korea's most successful business corporations affiliated 
with the Hyundai Group. He has distinguished himself over the years in 
both the public and private sectors.
  Madam Speaker, President-elect Lee has indicated, in several 
statements he has made since his election, a profound desire to 
strengthen the already strong friendship and partnership between the 
Republic of Korea and the United States. I applaud President-elect Lee 
for this commitment and look forward to working with him and 
administration to this end. I join my colleagues in congratulating and 
wishing him and his transition team well as they take up their new 
responsibilities.
  Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I have no more requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time as 
well.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Jones of Ohio). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 947.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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