[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9296]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT PARK GEUN-HYE AND U.S.-KOREAN 
                                ALLIANCE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 10, 2015

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I am disheartened to hear that South Korean 
President Park Geun-Hye's visit to Washington, D.C. was postponed due 
to the growing threat of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome 
coronavirus (MERS) outbreak in the Republic of Korea. I know this is a 
very difficult time for the South Korean people and would like to send 
my deepest sympathy to the victims of this deadly virus. I express my 
utmost confidence in President Park's ability to lead the people of her 
beautiful country out of this crisis.
  As always, the success and future of the Peninsula remain a priority 
for me. As a Korean War veteran, I have a very personal tie to Korea 
and its people. Since returning home from my service in the Korean War 
over six decades ago, I have proudly witnessed South Korea's rise as a 
war-torn nation to becoming an international giant, which is a 
testament to the resilience and industriousness of the Korean people. 
All across America, Koreans have inspired us with their 
entrepreneurialism and perseverance toward strengthening the fabric of 
our nation.
  I commend President Park and Ambassador Ahn Ho-Young for further 
strengthening U.S.-Korean ties. As you know, the relationship between 
our country and the Republic of Korea is deeply rooted in our 
unbreakable bloodshed alliance. As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of 
the liberation of Korea from Imperial Japan, I will continue working to 
help promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula--in hopes that 
the two Koreas will be reunified in my lifetime.

                          ____________________