Expressing sympathy to the families of those killed by North Korea in the sinking of the Republic of Korea Ship Cheonan, and solidarity with the Republic of Korea in the aftermath of this tragic incident.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the Chair regarding the votes that I missed on the following dates:

May 12, due to the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson, I missed the following votes:

Rollcall vote No. 259, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 260, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 261, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 262, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 263, I would have voted no;

Rollcall vote 264, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 265, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 266, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 259-266 on Wednesday, May 12, 2010.

I was not able to cast my votes during roll call 259-266 because I was in bereavement of the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson. Had I been present, for rollcall vote 259, on agreeing to the resolution, H. Res. 1344, ``Providing for consideration of the bill H.R. 5116, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for rollcall vote 260, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 5014, `` To clarify the health care provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that constitutes minimum essential coverage,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for rollcall vote 261, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended, H. Con. Res. 268, ``Supporting the goals and ideals of National Women's Health Week, and for other purposes,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for rollcall vote 262, on agreeing to the amendment to H.R. 5116, ``Gordon Amendment No. 1,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for rollcall vote 263, on agreeing to the amendment to H.R. 5116, ``Hall of Texas Amendment No. 6,'' I would have voted ``no''; for rollcall vote 264, on agreeing to the amendment to H.R. 5116, ``Markey of Massachusetts Amendment No. 10,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for rollcall vote 265, on agreeing to the amendment to H.R. 5116, ``George Miller of California, Amendment No. 12,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for roll call vote 266, on agreeing to the amendment to H.R. 5116, ``Reyes of Texas Amendment No. 13,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

Tuesday, May 18, due similarly to the passing of my mother:

Rollcall votes 273 to 275, motion to suspend the rules, rollcall vote 273, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 274, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 275, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 273-275 on Tuesday, May 18, 2010.

I was not able to cast my votes during roll-call 273-275 because I was in bereavement of the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson. I would like to state for the record how I would have voted had I been present.

For rollcall vote 273, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 2288, ``Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Improvement Act of 2009,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 274, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 4614, ``Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act of 2010,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 275, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, H. Res. 1327, ``Honoring the life achievements, and contributions of Floyd Dominy,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

On the 20th of May, due to the passing of my mother, I missed the following votes:

Rollcall vote 284, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 285, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 286, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 287, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 288, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 289, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 290, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 284-290 on Thursday, May 20, 2010.

I was not able to cast my votes during rollcall 284-290 because I was in bereavement of the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson. I would like to state for the Record how I would have voted had I been present.

For rollcall vote 284, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 5327, ``To authorize assistance to Israel for the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system,'' I would have voted ``aye''.

For rollcall vote 285, on motion to suspend the rules agree to, H. Res. 1256, ``Congratulating Phil Mickelson on winning the 2010 Masters golf tournament,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 286, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to, H. Res. 1336, `` Congratulating the University of Texas men's swimming and diving team for winning the NCAA Division I national championship,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 287, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 1361, ``Recognizing North Carolina Central on its 100th anniversary,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 288, on ordering the previous question, H. Res. 1363, ``Granting the authority provided under clause 4(c)(3) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to the Committee on Education and Labor for purposes of its investigation into underground coal mining safety,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 289, on agreeing to resolution, H. Res. 163, ``Granting the authority provided under clause 4(c)(3) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to the Committee on Education and Labor for purposes of its investigation into underground coal mining safety,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 290, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 5128, ``To designate the Department of the Interior Building in Washington, District of Columbia, as the Stewart Lee Udall Department of the Interior Building,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

Accordingly, I continued to miss time on the passing of my mother on May 24, and I missed rollcall votes 291 to 293.

I would have voted, on rollcall vote 291, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 292, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 293, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 291-293 on Monday, May 24, 2010.

I was not able to cast my votes during rollcall 291-293 because I was in bereavement of the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson. I would like to state for the Record how I would have voted had I been present.

For rollcall vote 291, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 278, ``Expressing the sense of Congress that a grateful Nation supports and salutes Sons and Daughters in Touch on its 20th Anniversary that is being held on Fathers Day, 2010, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, the District of Columbia,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 292, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 1017, ``Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 293, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 5330, ``To amend the Anti-trust Penalty Enhancement and Reform Act of 2004 to extend the operation of such Act for a 5-year period ending June 22, 2015, and for other purposes,'' I would have voted ``aye''.

On Tuesday, May 25, accordingly, I missed the following votes pursuant to the earlier statement:

Rollcall vote 294, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 295, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 296, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 297, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 298, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 299, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 300, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 301, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 294-301 on Tuesday, May 25, 2010.

I was not able to cast my votes during rollcall 294-301 because I was in bereavement of the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson. I would like to state for the Record how I would have voted had I been present.

For rollcall vote 294, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 5145, ``Assuring Quality Care for Veterans Act,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 295, on motion to suspend the rule and agree to H. Res. 437, ``Expressing support for designation of May 2010 as Mental Health Month,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 296, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res. 1382, ``Expressing sympathy to the families of those killed by North Korea in the sinking of the Republic of Korea Ship Cheonan, and solidarity with the Republic of Korea in the aftermath of this tragic incident,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 297, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res. 584, ``Recognizing the importance of manufactured and modular housing in the United States,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 298, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H.Res. 3885, ``Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 299, on motion to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendments to H.R. 2711, ``Special Agent Samuel Hicks Families of Fallen Heroes Act,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 300, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res.

1189, ``Commending Lance Mackey on winning a record 4th straight Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 301, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res. 1172, ``Recognizing the life and achievements of Will Keith Kellogg,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

May 26, I was unavoidably detained on official business. I missed rollcall vote 302. I would have voted aye;

Rollcall vote 303, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 304, I would have voted ``aye''; and

Rollcall vote 305, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 302-305 on Wednesday, May 26, 2010.

Mr. Speaker, I was not able to cast my votes during rollcall on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, because I was away from the office on official business. I would like to state for the Record how I would have voted, had I been present.

For rollcall vote, 302, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1347, ``Honoring the workers who perished on the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana, extending condolences to their families, and recognizing the valiant efforts of emergency response workers at the disaster site,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 303, on motion to suspend the rule and agree to H. Res. 1385, ``recognizing and honoring the courage and sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and for other purposes,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 304, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res 1316, ``Celebrating Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 305, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res. 1169, ``Honoring the 125th anniversary of Rollins College,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1382) expressing sympathy to the families of those killed by North Korea in the sinking of the Republic of Korea Ship Cheonan, and solidarity with the Republic of Korea in the aftermath of this tragic incident.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the resolution under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, on March 26, 2010, a South Korean naval ship, the Cheonan, was on a routine mission in waters off the west coast of South Korea. At 9:22 p.m., an explosion ripped through the Cheonan's hull. The ship tilted 90 degrees to starboard and it sank. Of the 104 members of the crew on board, 46 sailors died that evening.

Madam Speaker, our hearts go out for the 46 brave Korean soldiers who lost their lives in this tragedy. Again, we express our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families and loved ones of these 46 brave sailors, and may their families be comforted with the fact that my colleagues here in this Chamber share their pain and sorrow. And we remember well what the Lord said in his Sermon on the Mount: ``Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.''

Madam Speaker, despite the immediate suspicion that North Korea was responsible for the attack and the shocking loss of life, the Republic of South Korea reacted calmly and deliberately. As the country mourned its dead, the government formed a Joint Civilian-Military Investigation Group to assess the cause of the explosion. The 74-member team, which included 24 experts from the United States, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Australia, spent several weeks examining the evidence as objectively and scientifically as possible.

On May 20, 2010, Madam Speaker, the group released its final report, concluding unanimously that ``the Cheonan was attacked and sunk by a torpedo that was launched from a small North Korean submarine.'' On the day of the report's release, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Howard Berman; and the committee's ranking member, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen; chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, Congressman Gary Ackerman; and the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, Congressman Don Manzullo; and I introduced House Resolution 1382, the legislation which is now before us.

We did so to demonstrate America's strong solidarity with the Republic of Korea and to call for an appropriate and coordinated international response to North Korea's unprovoked and deadly attack. We also sought to express our condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed, to reaffirm our enduring commitment to the U.S.- Republic of Korea alliance, and to the security of all good people of the Republic of Korea.

In addition, Madam Speaker, our resolution calls for an apology from North Korea for its actions and a commitment by Pyongyang never to violate the Korean War Armistice Agreement again. It urges the international community to fully implement all United Nations Security Council resolutions pertaining to security on the Korean Peninsula, including Resolutions 1695, 1718, and 1874. Finally, the resolution calls for the United States, in coordination with its allies and partners, to take appropriate steps in response to other hostile acts perpetrated by North Korea.

The sinking of the Cheonan was one of the worst violations of the Korean war armistice since the end of the Korean war. It took place in the wake of other recent North Korean provocations, such as an attempted sale of weapons to Hamas and Hezbollah late last year. Fortunately, our close friend and strong ally, Thailand, seized the plane containing the arms shipment to the Middle East. Last month, South Korea also arrested two North Korean agents sent to Seoul to assassinate Hwang Jang-yop, the highest ranking North Korean official who defected to South Korea.

Today, South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak said in an address to his nation that in responding to the sinking of the Cheonan: ``The overriding goal of the Republic of Korea is not military confrontation. Our goal has always been the attainment of real peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.'' The President went on to say that ``North Korea will pay a price corresponding to its provocative acts.'' That price will include stopping all trade and most investments with North Korea, as well as closing South Korea's sea lanes to North Korean ships.

Madam Speaker, House Resolution 1382 shares President Lee's goals and his call for a calibrated response to North Korea's provocations. No one wants tensions to escalate to the point where another Korean war breaks out, but North Korea must understand that its actions have consequences, that it cannot violate the armistice, break international law, and kill innocent people with impunity. That is why my colleagues and I introduced the resolution, and why we now call on all Members of this body to join us in supporting it.

Madam Speaker, I strongly support this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I do want to compliment my good friend from California for his most eloquent statement, most insightful. And I could not agree better with the gentleman's suggestion that we should take this matter directly to the Security Council of the United Nations with such evidence to show--not to embarrass anybody, but to bear the facts out that, I think, this is an act--it's an act of war, Madam Speaker. There's no other way that you can look at this. And I want to commend my good friend from California for making this suggestion.

It should be brought before the Security Council. There should be full deliberations, and let the nations of the world see and witness for themselves what this conduct has become. The killing of 46 sailors, just unbelievable.

I gladly yield to my good friend from California.

Madam Speaker, I just want to note also that over the years it has been my privilege in dealing and working with the good people and the leaders of South Korea, and I, for one, over the years have always said that the principles underlying the Sunshine Policy, as it was enunciated and tried, I believe, thankfully, by the late President Kim Dae Jung in his efforts to see about bettering relationships between North and South Korea.

I know that there were flaws and shortcomings of the Sunshine Policy. And it's to the point now, how much further do we need to show our friendship and goodwill to the people and to the leaders of North Korea? This act of conduct on the part of North Korea is, no question, without excuse.

I gladly thank my good friend from California for his statement.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1382) expressing sympathy to the families of those killed by North Korea in the sinking of the Republic of Korea Ship Cheonan, and solidarity with the Republic of Korea in the aftermath of this tragic incident.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the resolution under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, on March 26, 2010, a South Korean naval ship, the Cheonan, was on a routine mission in waters off the west coast of South Korea. At 9:22 p.m., an explosion ripped through the Cheonan's hull. The ship tilted 90 degrees to starboard and it sank. Of the 104 members of the crew on board, 46 sailors died that evening.

Madam Speaker, our hearts go out for the 46 brave Korean soldiers who lost their lives in this tragedy. Again, we express our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families and loved ones of these 46 brave sailors, and may their families be comforted with the fact that my colleagues here in this Chamber share their pain and sorrow. And we remember well what the Lord said in his Sermon on the Mount: ``Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.''

Madam Speaker, despite the immediate suspicion that North Korea was responsible for the attack and the shocking loss of life, the Republic of South Korea reacted calmly and deliberately. As the country mourned its dead, the government formed a Joint Civilian-Military Investigation Group to assess the cause of the explosion. The 74-member team, which included 24 experts from the United States, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Australia, spent several weeks examining the evidence as objectively and scientifically as possible.

On May 20, 2010, Madam Speaker, the group released its final report, concluding unanimously that ``the Cheonan was attacked and sunk by a torpedo that was launched from a small North Korean submarine.'' On the day of the report's release, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Howard Berman; and the committee's ranking member, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen; chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, Congressman Gary Ackerman; and the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, Congressman Don Manzullo; and I introduced House Resolution 1382, the legislation which is now before us.

We did so to demonstrate America's strong solidarity with the Republic of Korea and to call for an appropriate and coordinated international response to North Korea's unprovoked and deadly attack. We also sought to express our condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed, to reaffirm our enduring commitment to the U.S.- Republic of Korea alliance, and to the security of all good people of the Republic of Korea.

In addition, Madam Speaker, our resolution calls for an apology from North Korea for its actions and a commitment by Pyongyang never to violate the Korean War Armistice Agreement again. It urges the international community to fully implement all United Nations Security Council resolutions pertaining to security on the Korean Peninsula, including Resolutions 1695, 1718, and 1874. Finally, the resolution calls for the United States, in coordination with its allies and partners, to take appropriate steps in response to other hostile acts perpetrated by North Korea.

The sinking of the Cheonan was one of the worst violations of the Korean war armistice since the end of the Korean war. It took place in the wake of other recent North Korean provocations, such as an attempted sale of weapons to Hamas and Hezbollah late last year. Fortunately, our close friend and strong ally, Thailand, seized the plane containing the arms shipment to the Middle East. Last month, South Korea also arrested two North Korean agents sent to Seoul to assassinate Hwang Jang-yop, the highest ranking North Korean official who defected to South Korea.

Today, South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak said in an address to his nation that in responding to the sinking of the Cheonan: ``The overriding goal of the Republic of Korea is not military confrontation. Our goal has always been the attainment of real peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.'' The President went on to say that ``North Korea will pay a price corresponding to its provocative acts.'' That price will include stopping all trade and most investments with North Korea, as well as closing South Korea's sea lanes to North Korean ships.

Madam Speaker, House Resolution 1382 shares President Lee's goals and his call for a calibrated response to North Korea's provocations. No one wants tensions to escalate to the point where another Korean war breaks out, but North Korea must understand that its actions have consequences, that it cannot violate the armistice, break international law, and kill innocent people with impunity. That is why my colleagues and I introduced the resolution, and why we now call on all Members of this body to join us in supporting it.

Madam Speaker, I strongly support this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I do want to compliment my good friend from California for his most eloquent statement, most insightful. And I could not agree better with the gentleman's suggestion that we should take this matter directly to the Security Council of the United Nations with such evidence to show--not to embarrass anybody, but to bear the facts out that, I think, this is an act--it's an act of war, Madam Speaker. There's no other way that you can look at this. And I want to commend my good friend from California for making this suggestion.

It should be brought before the Security Council. There should be full deliberations, and let the nations of the world see and witness for themselves what this conduct has become. The killing of 46 sailors, just unbelievable.

I gladly yield to my good friend from California.

Madam Speaker, I just want to note also that over the years it has been my privilege in dealing and working with the good people and the leaders of South Korea, and I, for one, over the years have always said that the principles underlying the Sunshine Policy, as it was enunciated and tried, I believe, thankfully, by the late President Kim Dae Jung in his efforts to see about bettering relationships between North and South Korea.

I know that there were flaws and shortcomings of the Sunshine Policy. And it's to the point now, how much further do we need to show our friendship and goodwill to the people and to the leaders of North Korea? This act of conduct on the part of North Korea is, no question, without excuse.

I gladly thank my good friend from California for his statement.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, which expresses condolences to the families of the 46 South Korean sailors who recently lost their lives to a North Korea torpedo attack. And this resolution appropriately stands in solidarity with our South Korean ally in the wake of this assault.

Last week, South Korea unveiled the results of an international investigation, a quite methodical one, into the cause of the sinking of this South Korean naval vessel; and the evidence overwhelmingly showed what many were all but certain occurred on March 26. It showed that the ship was indeed sunk by a North Korean torpedo attack, in clear violation of the Korean war armistice.

Madam Speaker, this incident is offering at long last clarity across Asia, after years of delusions about North Korea. Reality is now setting in. In Seoul, it is offering clarity about the brutal nature of the Stalinist regime that operates in the north. Earlier today, South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak addressed the nation, and he announced that North Korean vessels will be blocked from South Korean waters. He announced also the resumption of radio broadcasts into the north, and he announced that cooperative activity with North Korea is meaningless.

Importantly, he recognized that now is the time for the North Korean regime to change. Seoul is coming to grips with a failed sunshine policy of previous administrations that hoped against hope that North Korea could be dealt with as a normal state. In Tokyo, the attack is offering clarity about the role of U.S. forces in the region. Largely because of North Korea's provocation, Japan's new government seems poised to accept a relocation of U.S. forces on Okinawa.

This isn't just an issue for the U.S. and Japan but has regional implications as U.S. forces there provide breathing space for others in the region, including South Korea, which has been alarmed by the dispute.

This crisis is also offering clarity about Beijing's role in northeast Asia and beyond because, despite an international investigation which included cooperation from Australian and British and Swedish and U.S. investigators working with their South Korean counterparts, China has now announced that it will complete its own assessment of the sinking of the ship.

Beijing merely called the murder of these 46 sailors ``unfortunate.'' Beijing's meek reply came days after it rolled out the red carpet for Kim Jung Il and reportedly showered him with 100,000 tons of food and 100 million in other aid. Today, with senior U.S. officials in China for talks, there are reports that China and the U.S. still are not on the same page with respect to U.N. sanctions on Iran. So much for a responsible China.

The U.S. should support the efforts of South Korea to take their evidence to the U.N. Security Council. That should be the next step.

I had the opportunity to read accounts in which some have said, well, this might be futile, given the fact that Beijing could veto such an act. Well, why not press and make them show the world where Beijing stands? Does Beijing stand with Kim Jung Il and his recklessness or with order and peace, not to mention standing with the grieving families of the victims of Kim Jung Il in this case?

This House is right to stand in solidarity with our South Korean ally. This torpedo attack should offer clarity for U.S. policy toward North Korea as well. It should wake us up to the nature of the North Korean regime and the possibility of dealing diplomatically with that government in North Korea.

This morning, Secretary of State Clinton offered a statement that ``we ask North Korea to stop its provocative behavior . . . take irreversible steps to fulfill its denuclearization commitments and comply with international law.'' Well, Madam Speaker, anyone who has been watching North Korea over the last 2 months, or the last 2 years, knows that statement has no bearing on reality.

U.S. officials have said that it can no longer be business as usual with respect to North Korea, but that statement is business as usual. North Korea won't take such steps until there is a fundamental change in the government there. And those who have pushed fruitless nuclear negotiations with North Korea in this administration and in the last administration and ignored the type of regime we're dealing with have to ask themselves why North Korea's only definitive response to that engagement has come on top of a torpedo.

Madam Speaker, today we rightly condemn this attack and show solidarity with our South Korean allies, but we can and should be doing more in the days and weeks ahead to show resolve in the face of North Korean aggression. There is a long list of steps that Washington and Seoul can and

should take in lockstep to strengthen deterrence in the region and to show that 46 deaths will not go unanswered. We could be relisting North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism. We could be speeding defense sales and targeting North Korea's illicit activities, like counterfeiting of hundred-dollar U.S. bills and drug running. Congress could also pass the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, demonstrating that there will be no retreat by the U.S. from northeast Asia.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to strengthen the U.S.- South Korean alliance, which has been a vital anchor for security in Asia for more than 50 years, and I look forward to hopefully doing that in the immediate weeks to come.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Will the gentleman yield?

I concur, and with Adlai Stevenson, we took that tack with our Ambassador to the United Nations during the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was able to show the hard evidence. South Korea can take these same steps, show that hard evidence. I'm in agreement. I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, which expresses condolences to the families of the 46 South Korean sailors who recently lost their lives to a North Korea torpedo attack. And this resolution appropriately stands in solidarity with our South Korean ally in the wake of this assault.

Last week, South Korea unveiled the results of an international investigation, a quite methodical one, into the cause of the sinking of this South Korean naval vessel; and the evidence overwhelmingly showed what many were all but certain occurred on March 26. It showed that the ship was indeed sunk by a North Korean torpedo attack, in clear violation of the Korean war armistice.

Madam Speaker, this incident is offering at long last clarity across Asia, after years of delusions about North Korea. Reality is now setting in. In Seoul, it is offering clarity about the brutal nature of the Stalinist regime that operates in the north. Earlier today, South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak addressed the nation, and he announced that North Korean vessels will be blocked from South Korean waters. He announced also the resumption of radio broadcasts into the north, and he announced that cooperative activity with North Korea is meaningless.

Importantly, he recognized that now is the time for the North Korean regime to change. Seoul is coming to grips with a failed sunshine policy of previous administrations that hoped against hope that North Korea could be dealt with as a normal state. In Tokyo, the attack is offering clarity about the role of U.S. forces in the region. Largely because of North Korea's provocation, Japan's new government seems poised to accept a relocation of U.S. forces on Okinawa.

This isn't just an issue for the U.S. and Japan but has regional implications as U.S. forces there provide breathing space for others in the region, including South Korea, which has been alarmed by the dispute.

This crisis is also offering clarity about Beijing's role in northeast Asia and beyond because, despite an international investigation which included cooperation from Australian and British and Swedish and U.S. investigators working with their South Korean counterparts, China has now announced that it will complete its own assessment of the sinking of the ship.

Beijing merely called the murder of these 46 sailors ``unfortunate.'' Beijing's meek reply came days after it rolled out the red carpet for Kim Jung Il and reportedly showered him with 100,000 tons of food and 100 million in other aid. Today, with senior U.S. officials in China for talks, there are reports that China and the U.S. still are not on the same page with respect to U.N. sanctions on Iran. So much for a responsible China.

The U.S. should support the efforts of South Korea to take their evidence to the U.N. Security Council. That should be the next step.

I had the opportunity to read accounts in which some have said, well, this might be futile, given the fact that Beijing could veto such an act. Well, why not press and make them show the world where Beijing stands? Does Beijing stand with Kim Jung Il and his recklessness or with order and peace, not to mention standing with the grieving families of the victims of Kim Jung Il in this case?

This House is right to stand in solidarity with our South Korean ally. This torpedo attack should offer clarity for U.S. policy toward North Korea as well. It should wake us up to the nature of the North Korean regime and the possibility of dealing diplomatically with that government in North Korea.

This morning, Secretary of State Clinton offered a statement that ``we ask North Korea to stop its provocative behavior . . . take irreversible steps to fulfill its denuclearization commitments and comply with international law.'' Well, Madam Speaker, anyone who has been watching North Korea over the last 2 months, or the last 2 years, knows that statement has no bearing on reality.

U.S. officials have said that it can no longer be business as usual with respect to North Korea, but that statement is business as usual. North Korea won't take such steps until there is a fundamental change in the government there. And those who have pushed fruitless nuclear negotiations with North Korea in this administration and in the last administration and ignored the type of regime we're dealing with have to ask themselves why North Korea's only definitive response to that engagement has come on top of a torpedo.

Madam Speaker, today we rightly condemn this attack and show solidarity with our South Korean allies, but we can and should be doing more in the days and weeks ahead to show resolve in the face of North Korean aggression. There is a long list of steps that Washington and Seoul can and

should take in lockstep to strengthen deterrence in the region and to show that 46 deaths will not go unanswered. We could be relisting North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism. We could be speeding defense sales and targeting North Korea's illicit activities, like counterfeiting of hundred-dollar U.S. bills and drug running. Congress could also pass the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, demonstrating that there will be no retreat by the U.S. from northeast Asia.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to strengthen the U.S.- South Korean alliance, which has been a vital anchor for security in Asia for more than 50 years, and I look forward to hopefully doing that in the immediate weeks to come.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Will the gentleman yield?

I concur, and with Adlai Stevenson, we took that tack with our Ambassador to the United Nations during the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was able to show the hard evidence. South Korea can take these same steps, show that hard evidence. I'm in agreement. I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I yield back the balance of my time.