[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 12623-12627]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    GRANTING A FEDERAL CHARTER TO KOREAN WAR VETERANS ASSOCIATION, 
                              INCORPORATED

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the Senate bill (S. 1692) to grant a Federal charter to Korean 
War Veterans Association, Incorporated.
  The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
  The text of the Senate bill is as follows:

                                S. 1692

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. GRANT OF FEDERAL CHARTER TO KOREAN WAR VETERANS 
                   ASSOCIATION, INCORPORATED.

       (a) Grant of Charter.--Part B of subtitle II of title 36, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking the following:

                     ``CHAPTER 1201--[RESERVED]'';

       and
       (2) by inserting after chapter 1103 the following new 
     chapter:

     ``CHAPTER 1201--KOREAN WAR VETERANS ASSOCIATION, INCORPORATED

``Sec.
``120101. Organization.
``120102. Purposes.
``120103. Membership.
``120104. Governing body.
``120105. Powers.
``120106. Restrictions.
``120107. Tax-exempt status required as condition of charter.
``120108. Records and inspection.
``120109. Service of process.
``120110. Liability for acts of officers and agents.
``120111. Annual report.
``120112. Definition.

     ``Sec. 120101. Organization

       ``(a) Federal Charter.--Korean War Veterans Association, 
     Incorporated (in this chapter, the `corporation'), a 
     nonprofit organization that meets the requirements for a 
     veterans service organization under section 501(c)(19) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and that is organized under the 
     laws of the State of New York, is a federally chartered 
     corporation.
       ``(b) Expiration of Charter.--If the corporation does not 
     comply with the provisions of this chapter, the charter 
     granted by subsection (a) shall expire.

     ``Sec. 120102. Purposes

       ``The purposes of the corporation are those provided in the 
     articles of incorporation of the corporation and shall 
     include the following:
       ``(1) To organize as a veterans service organization in 
     order to maintain a continuing interest in the welfare of 
     veterans of the Korean War, and rehabilitation of the 
     disabled veterans of the Korean War to include all that 
     served during active hostilities and subsequently in defense 
     of the Republic of Korea, and their families.
       ``(2) To establish facilities for the assistance of all 
     veterans and to represent them in their claims before the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs and other organizations 
     without charge.
       ``(3) To perpetuate and preserve the comradeship and 
     friendships born on the field of battle and nurtured by the 
     common experience of service to the United States during the 
     time of war and peace.
       ``(4) To honor the memory of the men and women who gave 
     their lives so that the United States and the world might be 
     free and live by the creation of living memorial, monuments, 
     and other forms of additional educational, cultural, and 
     recreational facilities.
       ``(5) To preserve for the people of the United States and 
     posterity of such people the great and basic truths and 
     enduring principles upon which the United States was founded.

     ``Sec. 120103. Membership

       ``Eligibility for membership in the corporation, and the 
     rights and privileges of members of the corporation, are as 
     provided in the bylaws of the corporation.

     ``Sec. 120104. Governing body

       ``(a) Board of Directors.--The composition of the board of 
     directors of the corporation, and the responsibilities of the 
     board, are as provided in the articles of incorporation of 
     the corporation.
       ``(b) Officers.--The positions of officers of the 
     corporation, and the election of the officers, are as 
     provided in the articles of incorporation.

     ``Sec. 120105. Powers

       ``The corporation has only those powers provided in its 
     bylaws and articles of incorporation filed in each State in 
     which it is incorporated.

     ``Sec. 120106. Restrictions

       ``(a) Stock and Dividends.--The corporation may not issue 
     stock or declare or pay a dividend.
       ``(b) Political Activities.--The corporation, or a director 
     or officer of the corporation as such, may not contribute to, 
     support, or participate in any political activity or in any 
     manner attempt to influence legislation.
       ``(c) Loan.--The corporation may not make a loan to a 
     director, officer, or employee of the corporation.
       ``(d) Claim of Governmental Approval or Authority.--The 
     corporation may not claim congressional approval, or the 
     authority of the United States, for any activity of the 
     corporation.
       ``(e) Corporate Status.--The corporation shall maintain its 
     status as a corporation incorporated under the laws of the 
     State of New York.

     ``Sec. 120107. Tax-exempt status required as condition of 
       charter

       ``If the corporation fails to maintain its status as an 
     organization exempt from taxation under the Internal Revenue 
     Code of 1986, the charter granted under this chapter shall 
     terminate.

     ``Sec. 120108. Records and inspection

       ``(a) Records.--The corporation shall keep--
       ``(1) correct and complete records of account;
       ``(2) minutes of the proceedings of the members, board of 
     directors, and committees of the corporation having any of 
     the authority of the board of directors of the corporation; 
     and
       ``(3) at the principal office of the corporation, a record 
     of the names and addresses of the members of the corporation 
     entitled to vote on matters relating to the corporation.
       ``(b) Inspection.--A member entitled to vote on any matter 
     relating to the corporation, or an agent or attorney of the 
     member, may inspect the records of the corporation for any 
     proper purpose, at any reasonable time.

     ``Sec. 120109. Service of process

       ``The corporation shall have a designated agent in the 
     District of Columbia to receive service of process for the 
     corporation. Notice to or service on the agent is notice to 
     or service on the corporation.

     ``Sec. 120110. Liability for acts of officers and agents

       ``The corporation is liable for any act of any officer or 
     agent of the corporation acting within the scope of the 
     authority of the corporation.

     ``Sec. 120111. Annual report

       ``The corporation shall submit to Congress an annual report 
     on the activities of the corporation during the preceding 
     fiscal year. The report shall be submitted at the same time 
     as the report of the audit required by section 10101(b) of 
     this title. The report may not be printed as a public 
     document.

     ``Sec. 120112. Definition

       ``For purposes of this chapter, the term `State' includes 
     the District of Columbia and the territories and possessions 
     of the United States.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The item relating to chapter 1201 
     in the table of chapters at the beginning of subtitle II of 
     title 36, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

``1201. Korean War Veterans Association, Incorporated.........120101''.


  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) 
each will control 20 minutes.

[[Page 12624]]

  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I would now like to yield 1 
minute to our distinguished majority leader, Mr. Steny Hoyer, the 
author of this legislation.
  Mr. HOYER. I thank my friend, the distinguished representative from 
the State of Texas and a leader in our caucus and in our Congress.
  I want to say how very proud I am to be associated with my good 
friend, Sam Johnson, an American hero not only to this body, but to 
veterans who have served in every one of our wars, and certainly the 
Korean War in particular. I thank him for his cosponsorship of this 
resolution with me.
  Madam Speaker, I strongly support this legislation granting the 
Korean War Veterans Association a Federal charter. It will enable them 
to expand its mission and further its charitable and benevolent causes.
  The Association, comprised exclusively of Korean War members, has 
more than 23,000 members and is one of the few such organizations of 
its size without a Federal charter.
  More than 50 years have passed since the war-weary men and women who 
served in Korea returned home. History has revealed that the sacrifices 
made by these brave soldiers was instrumental in stopping the expansion 
of communism, and that their sacrifice effectively contributed to a 
more peaceful world. Can one imagine if North Korea were in charge of 
all of Korea, what a dangerous world this would be? Granting this 
Federal charter is a small expression of our appreciation for the 
extraordinary courage of our forces who were deployed to the Korean 
Peninsula.
  This bipartisan legislation is an opportunity to express our 
gratitude and respect for our military, past and present, and to give 
Korean War veterans the long-awaited recognition that they so deserve 
so that the so-called ``forgotten war'' is and should be forgotten no 
more.
  I want to thank, as I have done earlier, my colleague, Representative 
Sam Johnson, a decorated Korean and Vietnam veteran, for cosponsoring 
this legislation with me in the House. He honors our House by his 
service, as he honored this House and this country by his service in 
Korea and in Vietnam. I know that the Korean War veterans, his 
colleagues who stood the battle in Korea, are extraordinarily honored 
by his cosponsorship of this resolution.
  I want to thank my good friend, Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland, for 
his work on this issue in the Senate.
  This is an appropriate step for us to take. This recognition for our 
Nation's Korean War veterans is long overdue, but it is never too late 
to do the right thing. And I am pleased, Madam Speaker, to rise and 
urge my colleagues to unanimously support this resolution, and again 
thank the distinguished soldier who serves with us and served his 
country so well in battle.
  Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I would like to express my support for S. 
1692, legislation that grants a Federal charter to the Korean War 
Veterans Association.
  Many Americans are only familiar with the Korean War through the 
television series M*A*S*H. Yet, it was one of the defining conflicts of 
the 20th Century. Because of the courageous service of millions of 
American servicemen and women, the global spread of Communism was 
halted on the Korean peninsula. More than 36,000 Americans lost their 
lives to preserve the liberty of the South Korean people. The fall of 
the Iron Curtain. would have been inconceivable without their 
sacrifice.
  The Korean War Veterans Association was established in 1985 as the 
only veteran's organization comprised solely of Korean War Veterans. It 
now has over 25,000 members. The Association was founded in order to 
maintain a continuing interest in the welfare of veterans of the Korean 
War, to rehabilitate disabled veterans of the War, to establish 
facilities for the assistance of War veterans and to represent them in 
claims before the Department of Veterans Affairs without charge, and 
finally to perpetuate and preserve the comradeship and friendships born 
on the field of battle and to honor the memory of the men and women who 
gave their lives in the Korean War.
  Now, on June 6 of last year, the Immigration Subcommittee adopted the 
following policy concerning the granting of new federal charters: The 
Subcommittee will not consider any legislation to grant new federal 
charters because such charters are unnecessary for the operations of 
any charitable, non-profit organization and falsely imply to the public 
that a chartered organization and its activities carry a congressional 
``seal of approval,'' or that the Federal Government is in some way 
responsible for its operations. The Subcommittee believes that the 
significant resources required to properly investigate prospective 
chartered organizations and monitor them after their charters are 
granted could and should be spent instead on the Subcommittee's large 
range of legislative and other substantive policy matters. This policy 
is not based on any decision that the organizations seeking federal 
charters are not worthwhile, but rather on the fact that federal 
charters serve no valid purpose and therefore ought to be discontinued.
  This policy represented the continuation of a policy the Subcommittee 
put in place at the start of the 101st Congress and has been continued 
every Congress since, against granting new federal charters to private, 
non-profit organizations. However, if the majority seeks to jettison 
the policy adopted by its own Judiciary Committee just last year, so be 
it. If we are to grant any organizations federal charters, then the 
Korean War Veterans Association should be at the top of the list. I 
urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Plano, Texas, a man of personal 
experience on what it's all about to be a Korean War veteran, a man who 
I believe brings to the House the kind of insight necessary to bring 
this bill to the floor.
  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to the 5 million valiant men and women who served in the Korean War. 
Some may know the names Buzz Aldrin or John Glenn. You know, we all 
flew F-86s in the 51st Fighter Wing back then together. They were 
household names then. I flew 62 combat missions in the Korean War and 
got a chance to fly with Buzz many times.
  On Capitol Hill, there are three of us who served in Korea in this 
Congress--Charlie Rangel of New York, John Conyers of Michigan, and I. 
The Congress is better off because Korean War veterans are represented.
  They call the Korean War the ``forgotten war'' as Steny Hoyer said. 
Nowhere is this more evident than the fact that the Korean War Veterans 
Association has not received a national charter.
  A little known fact is that American prisoners of war in Korea 
endured even more severe treatment than those of us in Vietnam. In 
fact, they didn't even want to talk about it for years. Giving the 
Veterans of the Korean War a national charter will put them in the same 
echelon as the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, truly a 
mark of distinction.
  There is a Sam Johnson Korean War Veterans Group, chapter 270, in 
north Texas. The founder, Ed Buckman, a great patriot, did not talk 
about his history or his story for decades. It wasn't until a couple of 
years ago that he started sharing his experience and became a Korean 
War veteran champion.
  Ed Buckman is the one who helped bring the need for a national 
charter to my attention. Mr. Buckman arrived home in Fort Worth after 
serving from 1950 to 1951 as a Navy electrical engineer aboard the USS 
Princeton. The Veterans of Foreign Wars advised him that because 
President Truman dubbed the conflict in Korea a ``police action'' and 
not a war, Mr. Buckman and other military personnel were not considered 
veterans.
  He once said he did not say the word ``Korea'' out loud for more than 
40 years. He confided to the Dallas Morning News that he was bitter. 
``We were treated like dirt when we got home.''

[[Page 12625]]

Then, in 2000, he heard about a parade in New York City honoring 
veterans, including those from the Korean War. ``When I went to this 
parade,'' he said, ``with 25,000 marchers, they put me on the front 
float and there were a million people saying thank you. No one had ever 
thanked me for my service in Korea before,'' and he said ``it made me 
feel proud.'' He tirelessly advocated a national charter for the Korean 
War veterans, and it brings me great pleasure to know that his hard 
work paid off.
  Ed Buckman, your country and your Congress are saying thank you for 
your sincere devotion to the cause by creating this long overdue 
national charter for all Korean War veterans.
  I want to thank Steny Hoyer and the others in this Congress for 
helping do this. It's about time our Nation thanked the Korean War 
veterans for their service and sacrifice with national recognition and 
premier status.
  This July, we mark the 55th anniversary of the Korean War armistice. 
To the remaining one million plus Korean War veterans we will say, God 
bless you and God bless America. Your war and your efforts will not be 
forgotten. This is for you. America salutes you.

                              {time}  1745

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I would like to now yield 2 
minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes) who 
also desires to rise to thank the Korean War veterans.
  Mr. SARBANES. I thank my colleague very much.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of Senate bill 1692 which 
will grant this Federal charter to the Korean War Veterans Association. 
This day, as has been said already, is long, long overdue. Later this 
summer will mark the 55th anniversary of the armistice that ended the 
full-scale fighting in Korea.
  I am very pleased the House will today pass legislation to finally 
grant the Korean War Veterans Association a Federal charter. My father, 
Senator Paul Sarbanes, introduced this legislation over several 
Congresses in an effort to get these veterans the recognition that they 
deserved. And although this legislation had been a priority of his and 
Leader Hoyer's for many years, we had been unable to get certain 
opponents to move out of the way and allow it to pass.
  Now, thanks to the majority leader and to Senator Ben Cardin and to 
others who stepped forward with their support, we will finally send 
this legislation to the President for his signature, and it will become 
law.
  Madam Speaker, this is about recognizing the 5.7 million veterans who 
fought in the Korean War and more than 36,000 Americans who made the 
ultimate sacrifice in service to their country in that conflict.
  This is also about fairness. A Federal charter will give the Korean 
War Veterans Association the same status as other major veteran 
services organizations and allow them to more efficiently assist their 
membership.
  The Korean War is often called the ``forgotten war.'' By passing this 
legislation, we take a modest step to reassure the Korean War veterans 
that we will never forget them and their tremendous sacrifice to our 
Nation.
  Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I might consume.
  Madam Speaker, let me rise in appreciation to the chairman of the 
House Judiciary Committee, Mr. Conyers, and the ranking member, Mr. 
Smith, in working with the Senate and working with the staff on this 
very important initiative. And I would like to acknowledge both former 
Senator Sarbanes, Senator Cardin, and of course our very, very able and 
distinguished and dedicated Majority Leader Hoyer in collaboration with 
Congressman Sarbanes to have this legislation, S. 1692, move, which is 
to create the Korean War Veterans Association to become a Federally 
tax-exempt organization. It was a Federally tax-exempt corporation that 
was incorporated in the State of New York on June 25, 1985. And now 
this bill will grant a Federal charter to the Korean War Veterans 
Association.
  The veterans association is an association of persons who have seen 
honorable service during the Korean War at any time between June 25, 
1950 and January 31, 1955, both dates inclusive, and of certain other 
persons, the particular qualifications for membership to be set forth 
in the bylaws of the Korean War Veterans Association.
  Over the years, the organization has established a strong record of 
service and commitment to fellow Korean War veterans ranging from the 
efforts on behalf of Project Freedom to a successful effort to 
construct a national Korean War veterans memorial on the National Mall.
  I certainly personally want to thank my friend and colleague from 
Texas, Congressman Sam Johnson, who has never wavered from his 
commitment and dedication to the men and women of the United States 
military, to his love of Texas, and certainly to his particular love of 
those who served in the Korean War as he did, along with his service in 
the Vietnam War.
  He made mention of our friends and colleagues, Congressman John 
Conyers and Congressman Charlie Rangel. So today we honor them as we 
honor many, many of those who served. The Korean War, often overlooked 
in American history, is anything but forgotten by the nearly 1.2 
million American veterans of the Korean War still alive today. And 
during the 3-year course of the war, some 5.7 million Americans were 
called to serve.
  And by the time the Korean War Armistice Agreement was signed in July 
1953, more than 36,000 Americans sacrificed their lives, 103,284 were 
wounded, 7,140 were captured and 664 were missing. And so we know it 
was, in fact, a war that saw a painful time in American history but yet 
saw the valiant effort of our American soldiers.
  American troops fought to protect our freedom as we know it today and 
paved the way for the United States to vanguard the movement for global 
democracy and liberty, a movement that afforded many countries the 
opportunity to shift to democratic regimes.
  And so it is a special honor to me to able to stand today and join my 
colleagues, to be able to support this legislation, S. 1692. I would 
ask my colleagues to support this legislation and be reminded that no 
war should ever be forgotten. We stand here today to acknowledge that 
the Korean War is not forgotten, and as well, that we will have the 
opportunity to celebrate in the passing of this legislation.
  With that, Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to vote for S. 1692.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S.1692, a bill to grant a 
Federal charter to the Korean War Veterans Association. This 
legislation honors the sacrifice and courage of our soldiers who served 
in the Korean War. My distinguished colleague from Maryland, Senator 
Benjamin L. Cardin and the Majority Leader Steny Hoyer seek to 
recognize the heroic deeds of Korean War veterans by granting the 
Korean War Veterans Association Incorporated a Federal Charter.
  The Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) is a federally-tax exempt 
organization that was incorporated in the State of New York on June 25, 
1985. Its original founder was Mr. William T. Norris, of New York, a 
member of F Company, 27th Infantry Regiment (Wolfhounds), 25th Infantry 
Division, when he served as a sergeant in the Korean War.
  This legislation provides an opportunity for each of us, regardless 
of political views, religion, ethnicity, gender, or background to come 
together, and to recognize and honor our nation's heroes. We gather 
here today, in the midst of ongoing conflict and warfare, honoring the 
dedication of our men and women in uniform. Though we may be divided by 
our positions on the war in Iraq, we stand together to support all of 
our veterans, highlighting in this particular legislation those who 
fought in the Korean War.
  Our nation has a proud legacy of appreciation and commitment to the 
men and women who have worn the uniform in defense of this country. We 
must be united in seeing to it that every soldier, sailor, airman, and 
marine is welcomed back with all the care and compassion this grateful 
nation can bestow. S.1692 assists us in these endeavors by extending a 
small gesture of gratitude that grants a federal charter to an 
organization that promotes and maintains benevolent and charitable 
endeavors. The Korean War Veterans Association is

[[Page 12626]]

an association of persons who have seen honorable service during the 
Korean War at any time between June 25, 1950 and 31 January 1955, both 
dates inclusive, and of certain other persons, the particular 
qualifications for membership to be set forth in the by-laws of the 
Korean War Veterans Association. Over the years, the organization has 
established a strong record of service and commitment to fellow Korean 
War veterans, ranging from efforts on behalf of Project Freedom to its 
successful effort to construct a national Korean War Veterans Memorial 
on the National Mall.
  The Korean War, often overlooked in American history, is anything but 
forgotten by the nearly 1.2 million American veterans of the Korean War 
still alive today. During the three year course of the war, some 5.7 
million Americans were called to serve, and by the time the Korean 
Armistice Agreement was signed in July 1953, more than 36,000 Americans 
sacrificed their lives, 103,284 were wounded, 7,140 were captured and 
664 were missing.
  American troops fought to protect our freedom as we know it today and 
paved the way for the United States to vanguard the movement for global 
democracy and liberty; a movement that afforded many countries the 
opportunity to shift to democratic regimes.
  Sadly, all too many of our veterans are left without the help and 
support they need to transition from the horrors they bravely faced on 
the front lines of battle to a successful civilian life. According to 
the Veteran's Affairs Department, as of 2006, on any given night, 
196,000 veterans of all ages were homeless. As we work to curb this 
formidable reality, let us demonstrate our support for the veterans of 
the Korean War by supporting this legislation. This should encourage us 
to continue to honor this nation's troops who are fighting and who have 
fought for the rights of all of us in places we do not dare to go, 
under environments we cannot fully appreciate from this comfortable 
position.
  I firmly believe that we should celebrate our veterans after every 
conflict, and I remain committed, as a Member of Congress, to both 
meeting the needs of veterans of previous wars, and to provide a 
fitting welcome home to those who are now serving. Veterans have kept 
their promise to serve our nation; they have willingly risked their 
lives to protect the country we all love.
  I have always been a strong supporter of our country's troops, male 
and female. That is why I introduced the House Concurrent Resolution 
320 which celebrates one of our heroic daughters of Texas, Specialist 
Monica L. Brown of the United States Army with for her efforts earlier 
this year.
  Spec. Brown was the first woman in Afghanistan and only the second 
female soldier since World War II to receive the Silver Star, the 
nation's third-highest medal for valor. This soldier from Lake Jackson, 
Texas was only 20-years-old.
  On April 25, 2007, Specialist Brown was part of a four-vehicle convoy 
patrolling near Jani Kheil in the eastern province of Paktia on April 
25, 2007, when a bomb struck one of the Humvees.
  When Spec. Brown saw her fellow soldiers were injured, she grabbed 
her aid bag and started running toward the burning vehicle as 
insurgents opened fire. All five wounded soldiers from her platoon 
scrambled out. Under this commotion, she assessed her patients and 
moved them to a safer location because they were still receiving 
incoming fire.
  Other veteran's legislation that I am pursuing entails guaranteeing 
that our VA hospitals have the capacity to efficiently and effectively 
meet the needs of our troops. The Riverside Hospital in Houston, Texas 
is a historic medical center that has served the needs of veterans in 
the Houston area for a long time. However, currently, the hospital is 
lacking the tools necessary to treat the augmenting number of troops 
who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other common 
problems associated with fighting in battle. Today, at this very second 
let us take a united stand for the well being of our veterans; to say 
the very least, they deserve it and to say the most; we've promised it.
  This attests to the fact that we must now ensure that we keep our 
promises to our veterans by extending our gratitude and appreciation. 
Currently, there are over 25 million veterans in the United States. 
There are more than 1,633,000 veterans living in Texas and more than 
32,000 veterans living in my Congressional district alone. I hope we 
will all take the time to show appreciation to those who have answered 
the call to duty. As the Winston Churchill famously stated, ``Never in 
the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.'' 
This recognition for our nation's Korean War Veterans is long overdue, 
and it is a small expression of appreciation our nation can offer to 
these men and women, and it will enable them to ensure that the 
``Forgotten War'' is forgotten no more.
  Madam Speaker, as we approach the 55th anniversary of the Korean War 
Armistice, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting and 
serving those who have served this nation.
  Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1692, a measure to 
grant a Federal charter to the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA).
  Though the Korean War is sometimes referred to as the ``Forgotten 
War,'' it is among the most significant events of the 20th century. 
Communist military aggression was defeated and the United States and 
its allies sent a signal to the world that militaristic expansion of 
communism would be countered with force.
  Nearly 6 million Americans served during the Korean War, and tens of 
thousands of them faced some of history's most adverse circumstances 
and challenges for the cause of freedom--by the time the Korean 
Armistice Agreement was signed in July 1953, more than 36,000 Americans 
had died, 103,284 had been wounded, 7,140 were captured, and 664 were 
missing.
  The heroism displayed by Korean War veterans should never be 
forgotten. We can help honor the 1.2 million American veterans of the 
Korean War who are still alive today by granting a Federal charter to 
America's oldest and largest association of Korea veterans. KWVA is a 
20,000-member veterans' service organization devoted exclusively to 
Korean War veterans.
  That is why we should approve S. 1692 calling on Congress to grant a 
Federal charter to KWVA. This recognition is well deserved, and I am 
hopeful that Congress will act swiftly to approve this measure. I urge 
my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.
  Additionally, I would encourage my colleagues to join me in 
supporting H.R. 5854, a bill to grant a Federal charter to the Military 
Officers Association of America (MOAA).
  MOAA is the largest professional association for military officers 
and the fourth largest veterans group in the Nation. With 370,000 
members, MOAA has a distinguished 79-year history of service to the 
military community, veterans, and their families.
  Like KWVA, MOAA is among the veterans' service organizations without 
a Federal charter. In addition to the deserved recognition it would 
accord MOAA, a Federal charter would enable some state-level MOAA 
affiliates to participate on governor-appointed advisory councils to 
which they are presently excluded.
  Again, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to grant a 
Federal charter for KWVA, and I would also encourage my colleagues to 
cosponsor H.R. 5854 to grant a Federal charter to MOAA.
  Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 
1692, a bill to grant a Federal charter to the Korean War Veterans 
Association.
  Just a few short years after World War II, our government again 
called on hundreds of thousands of Americans to serve their country in 
a distant conflict. Over 1,700,000 American soldiers were sent halfway 
around the world to fight a Communist threat in Korea. Over 40,000 
would never return--giving their lives on the battlefield or going 
missing to this day. Another 100,000 were wounded. Today, my state of 
Vermont alone is home to almost 10,000 Korean War veterans.
  The Korean War Veterans Association exists to remember those lost, to 
honor the service of the thousands of living veterans, and to support 
Korean freedom. For over six years, the organization has fought for 
Federal recognition. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and 
the Vietnam Veterans of America have received a Federal charter, but up 
until this point veterans of the Korean War could not claim this honor. 
H.R. 1692 finally remedies this.
  Under the charter provided in this bill, the Korean War Veterans 
Association will provide assistance to veterans of the Korean War and 
to all those who have subsequently served there, including helping 
those men and women receive the veterans benefits they have earned. The 
organization will also preserve the camaraderie forged between those 
who served, and honor the memory of those fallen. It is my great 
pleasure to support this well-deserved charter.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. With that, I yield back my time.
  Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I would also yield back at this time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 1692.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the

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rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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