Recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of the Year of the Korean War Veteran, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 212, offered by my friend and colleague, Representative Sam Johnson.

This resolution properly recognizes the service sacrifice of the 22 nations, thousands of American service members, and millions of South Korean citizens who stood together half a century ago in defense of the principle of freedom.

The Korean Conflict is often referred to as the Forgotten War. Yet, this war is only ``forgotten'' by those who have not been blessed with the teachings of history--not by the millions of Americans, whose lives have been touched in so many ways by those committed to opposing tyranny and injustice, regardless of the sacrifices required.

America entered the Korean War with a military made up of a mix of war-scarred servicemen and women toughened by the hard lessons of Guadalcanal, Okinawa and Normandy, as well as a new generation of soldiers and sailors who had only seen war on the silver screen, and a newly created Air Force.

After three long, bloody years, the fighting ended. We had rebuilt a military that became, even by today's standards, one of the most coherent fighting forces in the world. The alliance, consisting of units from 22 nations, supported an armistice that prevented the potential death of millions more in a savage, spreading war, and permitted South Korea to flourish into a miracle of freedom that we witness today.

Tragically, nearly 37,000 American soldiers fell on the fields of battle and lost their lives in the Korean War.

There were also far too many who were taken prisoner or met an unknown fate, whose ranks of over 8,000 remain today unaccounted for, but never forgotten. Indeed today, this nation continues to search for every missing warrior who fought to preserve the freedom we cherish; we seek and demand the fullest possible accounting of America's fallen heroes.

It is our solemn promise that we will never forget or forsake them.

Nor will we forget the veterans who returned home to help reshape this nation and the world. And while some returned to parades and fanfare, many returned quietly without public recognition and the ``thanks'' they deserved.

On July 27, 2003, our nation will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the armistice with North Korea--giving us the opportunity to reaffirm our appreciation and extend the gratitude some soldiers never received. Many Americans, including the thousands of veterans and their families from that war, will take a moment to remember the meaning of their service: whether they rest in Korea, remain unaccounted for, or have returned home to their families and the freedom they fought to defend.

More than 1.5 million Americans served during the Korean War. Today, Americans are still there on-point, still defending freedom in Korea. Soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines serve alongside their South Korean counterparts, astride what has been called the world's most dangerous border.

We pause today to recall with gratitude the sacrifices of all veterans who have served the causes of democracy and freedom. To the veterans of the Korean War and their families, we especially offer our thanks. The world could be a significantly less friendly place if you had not stepped forward selflessly when you were needed. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, from Korea to Iraq, let's not forget the sacrifices our men and women in uniform, and indeed their families have made on behalf of this great country.

Remember too, that on any given day, there are Americans on guard, demonstrating and defending democracy and freedom in over 100 countries around the world.

God bless our service members, our veterans and their families.

God bless America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in wholehearted support of H. Con. Res. 212. I commend Congressman Sam Johnson, a true patriot, for introducing this legislation. I cannot think of a more appropriate individual to lead this commemorative charge to honor those who fought courageously and fearlessly for our country than this veteran who himself flew 62 combat missions in the Korean Conflict.

The Korean War marked the first time in history that the United Nations sent armed forces into combat to stop aggression. Armed forces and medical support units from 20 allied United Nations member states, along with the Republic of Korea and Italy, teamed together to halt the attempted communist takeover of the Republic of Korea. The services and sacrifices of our Korean War veterans a half-century ago saved a nation from enslavement and a world from communist domination. Our troops gave the emerging country of South Korea the opportunity to develop and flourish under freedom and democracy into the successful, modern nation it is today.

1.8 million heroic Americans answered the call to defend freedom and fight back the forces of communism. America suffered 36,577 dead and 103,284 wounded in some of the most horrific conditions ever known in history of warfare. Louie Kerr wrote of spending Christmas Day, 1950, on the Inchon River:

December 25, 1950: I was a young sailor just out of boot

camp when our ship, the U.S.S. Graffias AF28 was sent to

Korea in support of our counterparts. After spending eighteen

months there we had many adventures and stories to tell. But

my most memorable one was the time we went up the Inchon

River while taking small arms fire from the beach on

Christmas Day to take food and supplies up to the First

Marine Division who was tied down and unable to get supplies

into them. I have talked to a few of them since the war, and

believe me, they remember that day when they ate their turkey

and ham and fresh fruit and nuts. We ate our Christmas Dinner

the next day, but I don't think there was a single man on

board who resented it.

On the heels of World War II, Korea was in many ways, the first reminder that America must remain the world's leading force for peace, prosperity, and freedom. The Korean War is often referred to as the ``Forgotten War,'' but this resolution will help to see that Louie Kerr's service and that of so many, many others must never be forgotten.

Fifty years ago this Sunday, the armistice was signed, ending the fighting in Korea and halting the spread of communism. American forces and those of her allies had thwarted the rise of communist power and North Korea's invasion into South Korea.

In May, I had the opportunity to visit North Korea. In Pyongyang, I saw firsthand the fate from which America rescued the people of South Korea in its commitment to freedom around the world. I saw a large city, trapped in time, oppressed by a bully regime intent on holding its people hostage for spoils their people will never know.

Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 212 recognizes and supports the goals and ideals of designating 2003 the Year of the Korean Veteran and to commend the sacrifices made by all Korean War veterans. This resolution will engage committed communities, school, civic organizations, businesses, media and social agencies and organizations nationwide in the quest to honor and remember those who have paid the ultimate price, and who remind this great nation that Freedom Is Not Free.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 212) recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of the Year of the Korean War Veteran, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 212, a concurrent resolution introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson).

This resolution recognizes and supports the goals and ideals of the Year of the Korean War Veteran. This year marks the final year of the United States' 50th anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration and the 50th year of the armistice. While actual hostilities occurred from June 27, 1950, through July 7, 1953, Congress extended the war period from January 31, 1955, for veterans benefits eligibility because of the uneasy period following the end of hostilities.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to share some facts about the Korean War. Between the period of June 27, 1950, and January 31, 1955, the Korean War period, 6.8 million American men and women served in the Armed Forces of the United States. Between June 28 of

1950 and July 27, 1953, 54,200 Americans died in service. Of these, 36,576 were deaths due directly to the war. Mr. Speaker, 131 Korean War veterans received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest military declaration our Nation bestows. Today, there are approximately 3.7 million Korean War veterans still living.

This period in our Nation's history, Mr. Speaker, has often been referred to as the Forgotten War. But that is being remedied, and Congress is doing its part. On July 25 of 1995, the Korean War Memorial was dedicated on the Mall.

The sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson), served 29 years in the U.S. Air Force and flew combat missions in both the Korean and the Vietnam wars. He was a prisoner of war in Hanoi, North Vietnam, for almost 7 years. The gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson) is a very modest man. I do not want to embarrass him when he reads about this, but he is truly an American hero. I can think of no more appropriate person to introduce the resolution on the observance of the Year of the Korean War Veteran. I salute the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson). I believe that every Member of this body on both sides of the aisle salutes him. We also thank the other cosponsors, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble), and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers), all veterans of Korea, for their military service to our country.

Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 212 would serve to remind all Americans of the first war America fought to stop the spread of Communist tyranny and would encourage activities honoring Korean War veterans for their courageous sacrifice on behalf of all of us. America will not forget the veterans of the Korean War. I am pleased we are considering this resolution at this appropriate time. I want to again thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert), the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), the majority leader, for scheduling this resolution the week of the 50th year of the armistice.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House concurrent resolution 212 and commend the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), our chairman, and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), our ranking Democratic member, for bringing this important measure directly to this body for consideration on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War armistice. The bill calls on American citizens to thank those who served in uniform during that difficult time a half century ago.

Often called the Forgotten Veterans, it was a generation that served in a war wedged in time between the jubilation from resounding victories over tyranny in Europe and the Pacific, and a war in Southeast Asia whose unpopularity and length seized the subsequent 2 decades. Having served, they silently, without fanfare or formality, slipped back into civilian clothes and resumed their lives.

The courageous individuals who stepped forward into the Korean War left their jobs, schools, homes, and families to respond to an especially daunting threat to freedom on the other side of the world. While all wars are horrific, their battlefield brought forth a particularly ruthless enemy and a unique brutality, including an unyieldingly harsh climate.

I am proud and privileged to serve with several colleagues who emerged from that unimaginable experience, including the distinguished author and original cosponsors of this bill, as well as those who served in uniform elsewhere in that era.

I wholeheartedly endorse the measure, and I urge its swift passage, not only in recognition of the Korean War heroes who stand among us, but also for those who are with us in memory only.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.

Smith) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 212, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor those who served in the Korean War and their families. Today, we are on the floor of the House of Representatives to consider House Concurrent Resolution 212 to pay tribute to the veterans of the Korean War and to support the goals of the Year of the Korean War Veteran. I fully support this legislation and ask my colleagues to do the same.

Fifty-three years ago, this country asked its citizens to defend the freedom of the South Korean people from an invading army and 1,800,000 Americans answered that call. Joined by twenty-one allied nations, under the banner of the United Nations, these brave Americans fought through some of the most terrible and horrific conditions in the history of warfare to protect the freedom of people in need.

Fifty years ago a cease fire brought the fighting in the Korean War to an end and allowed our brave soldiers to be reunited with their waiting and anxious families. Sadly, not everyone made it back home. Over 36,000 Americans died during three years of fighting and we honor their memory today.

Those that did return home were not greeted with the proper `welcome home' that had been given to veterans of previous wars. Korean War veterans were not shown the recognition, gratitude and honor they deserved. For their willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice defending freedom and liberty, the brave men and women who served in the Korean War became veterans of the `forgotten' war.

There are over 22,000 veterans from the era of the `forgotten' war living in Maine, and I rise today to let them know that their bravery and sacrifice, and the bravery and sacrifice of their families will never be forgotten. I am pleased that the House is considering this important legislation. I fully support House Concurrent Resolution 212 to honor the veterans of the Korean War and their families and to recognize and support the goals and ideals of the Year of the Korean War Veteran.