[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17393]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      REMEMBERING THE 55TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KOREAN WAR ARMISTICE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. THADDEUS G. McCOTTER

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 29, 2008

  Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge and remember 
the 55th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice and to remember the 
more than 474,000 Allied troops who lost their lives defending our 
freedom and liberty.
  On June 25, 1950, the North Korean People's Army crossed the 38th 
parallel in blatant contravention of international law and aggression 
against South Korean democracy. Under the guise of a counter-attack, 
the North Korean Army struck on the early Sunday morning behind a 
firestorm of artillery. The North Korean army advanced quickly and 
eventually gained control of nearly 90 percent of the peninsula. After 
days of bloodshed, South Korean and Allied troops pushed North Korean 
forces back beyond the 38th parallel. Then on October 8, 1950, Chinese 
forces joined efforts with North Korean troops. Fighting continued for 
the next two years, and both sides struggled until ultimately ended in 
a stalemate. By July 27, 1953, a ceasefire was established at the front 
line which by that time was again the 38th parallel. After three years 
of full scale fighting, tens of thousands of allied troops and South 
Korean civilians had died.
  Today, South Korea and the United States share a deep and abiding 
commitment to uphold the ideals of freedom, democracy, justice, and 
human rights.
  Madam Speaker, today many people refer to the Korean War as the 
``Forgotten War,'' but we cannot forget the sacrifice of our American 
service men and women. I ask my colleagues to rise with me in 
remembering the courage and sacrifice of those lost.

                          ____________________