Korean War Veterans Recognition Act of 2003

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 292) to amend title 4, United States Code, to add National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day to the list of days on which the flag should especially be displayed.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 292.

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

Mr. Speaker, this bill adds the National Korean War Veterans Armistice

Day to the list of days upon which the American flag should especially be displayed. Currently, title 4 of the U.S. Code provides that the flag should be displayed on all days, but specifically mentions 10 permanent Federal holidays on which the flag should be displayed. This bill would amend title 4 to include July 27, the National Korean War Armistice Day.

Nearly 1.8 million American soldiers fought bravely in harsh weather and foreign terrain over the course of 3 years to defend democratic South Korea from an offensive invasion launched by communist North Korea when its armed forces crossed the 38th parallel. On July 27, 1953, an armistice was signed and North Korea withdrew to its side allowing South Korea to remain an independent democratic nation. At the war's conclusion, over 103,000 American soldiers had been wounded, and 36,577 were killed.

The 10 permanent Federal holidays that are currently listed in law serve to recognize the people and events that have shaped the character of our Nation. By adding this day to this list, the bill will ensure that those who fought and died so bravely in the Korean War are recognized for their contribution to our Nation. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Kelly).

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

Mr. Speaker, our Korean war commemoration, which began on June 25, 2000, on the 50th anniversary of the invasion of South Korea, continues through Veteran's Day this year.

This past July 27th held special significance because it marked the 50th anniversary of the Korean war armistice.

Begun only 5 years after the end of World War II, the Korean war was, in many ways, the first reminder that America must remain the world's leading force for peace, prosperity and freedom--a responsibility we still hold today.

Called to fight back the brutal forces of communism, 1.8 million Americans courageously participated in the Korean war. The United States suffered over 36,000 dead and over 100,000 wounded in some of the most horrific conditions in the history of warfare. And even today there are still over 8,000 unaccounted for.

The service and sacrifices of our Korean war veterans 50 years ago saved a nation from Communist enslavement and gave South Korea the opportunity to develop and flourish under freedom and democracy.

Sadly, the Korean war is sometimes referred to as the ``forgotten war.''

Perhaps it was the mood of a nation wanting to return to peace after the Second World War. But for the U.S. men and women who served, and for the families and friends of those who paid the ultimate price, the Korean war can never be forgotten.

By adding the Korean war veterans Armistice Day, July 27, to the list of days on which the United States Flag should be displayed, this Congress is sending a message, loud and clear, that ``we will never forget.''

All Americans must know, as the words etched on the Korean War Memorial reminds us, that ``freedom is not free.'' It cannot be taken for granted.

Should this great country wish to preserve its freedom, we must pay tribute to those who paid the price for it.

Korean war veterans, I salute you.

Mr. Speaker, the bill before the House today makes certain that the heroes of America's forgotten war are not forgotten. It is important because if we look at the Korean War Veterans Memorial here in Washington, D.C., we will see the words ``Freedom is not free.'' We need to remind ourselves that over 36,000 Americans lost their lives in a war that has been essentially simply forgotten by many, many people.

Flying the flag on this day makes a difference because people will look at it, young people will look at it, and they will say why is the flag flying especially today. The flag is flying because it is a reminder and a recognition of the Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. It is a day when we all should stop and remember a tremendously difficult hard-fought war. We had an armistice there, and 1.8 million members of the United States Armed Forces fought bravely to preserve freedom and democracy in Korea; and we need to take time out to honor them.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Chairman Sensenbrenner) for his leadership and his assistance in bringing this measure to the floor this morning, and I urge all Members to support H.R. 292.