[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12668]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KOREAN WAR ARMISTICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BETO O'ROURKE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 30, 2013

  Mr. O'ROURKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 60th Anniversary 
of the armistice that ended the Korean War on July 27, 1953 and honor 
the Korean War Veterans and their families, who have taught us about 
strength, duty, service, and resolve. I am proud to represent hundreds 
of Korean War Veterans. Their service has been selfless and their 
accomplishments have been extraordinary.
  The 60th Anniversary of the end of the Korean War calls us to reflect 
on the immeasurable burdens of war that have been borne by our veterans 
and their families. We pay tribute to our wounded, our missing, our 
fallen, and their families. They know the true costs of conflict and 
deserve our deepest respect.
  On June 25, 1950, the Korean War began when approximately 75,000 
soldiers from the North Korean People's Army poured across the 38th 
parallel, the boundary between the Soviet-backed Democratic People's 
Republic of Korea to the north and the pro-Western Republic of Korea to 
the south. This invasion was the first military action of the Cold War. 
By July, American troops had entered the war on South Korea's behalf.
  Nearly 5 million people died as a result of the Korean War. More than 
half of these--about 10 percent of Korea's prewar population--were 
civilians, a rate higher than either World War II or Vietnam. Nearly 
40,000 Americans died in action in Korea, and more than 100,000 were 
wounded.
  289,000 Texans served in the Korean War. 1,916 were killed in action 
and 440 are still missing in action. 169 El Pasoans gave their lives in 
Korean War and 23 are missing in action. The President of the United 
States awarded the highest of military honors to 11 Texans, including 
one El Pasoan Modesto Cartagena, for their acts of valor during the 
war.
  Today we remember our commitments to those who served in Korea. As we 
do so, let us reaffirm our promise that when our troops finish their 
tours of duty, they come home to an America that gives them the 
benefits they have earned, the care they deserve, and the fullest 
opportunity to keep their families strong and our country moving 
forward.

                          ____________________