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[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 200 Introduced in House (IH)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 200

 Reaffirming the United States commitment to the economic and military 
 security of the Republic of Korea and expressing the shared vision of 
the people of the United States and the people of the Republic of Korea 
 for a prosperous and peaceful Asian community on the occasion of the 
60th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States 
                       and the Republic of Korea.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 6, 2013

  Ms. Meng (for herself and Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                                Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Reaffirming the United States commitment to the economic and military 
 security of the Republic of Korea and expressing the shared vision of 
the people of the United States and the people of the Republic of Korea 
 for a prosperous and peaceful Asian community on the occasion of the 
60th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States 
                       and the Republic of Korea.

Whereas the Republic of Korea and the United States enjoy a warm friendship 
        built on a commitment to security, joint economic development, cultural 
        exchange, and the democratic process;
Whereas in the years after the Korean War, the Republic of Korea developed its 
        civil society and built a vibrant democracy that is the basis for 
        regional stability and an engine of global economic growth;
Whereas the Korean American community is a great reminder of the shared bonds of 
        the people of the Republic of Korea and the United States forged by 60 
        years of friendship;
Whereas the success of this vibrant, inclusive democracy is demonstrated by the 
        December 19, 2012, election of Park Geun-Hye to the presidency of the 
        Republic of Korea, marking a historic milestone as the first female head 
        of state ever elected in the Northeast Asia region;
Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea have forged an economic 
        partnership based on the principle of joint prosperity, signified by the 
        United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement which continues to spur growth 
        in United States manufacturing exports, key agricultural exports, and 
        services exports to the Republic of Korea, which all support jobs in the 
        United States;
Whereas October 1, 2013, will mark the 60th anniversary of the signing of the 
        Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Republic of 
        Korea, signed on October 1, 1953, and entered into force November 17, 
        1954;
Whereas since the early 1950s, the United States has committed significant 
        resources, including the lives of its citizens, to the security and 
        integrity of the Republic of Korea and remembers the nearly 40,000 
        members of the United States Armed Forces who lost their lives during 
        the Korean War;
Whereas in H. Res. 65, the House of Representatives condemned North Korea's 
        ongoing nuclear activities and reaffirmed North Korea's obligation to 
        abandon its nuclear weapons program and its ballistic missile program;
Whereas the international community has repeatedly condemned the North Korean 
        nuclear weapons program and ballistic missile tests as harmful to global 
        security and the interests of the entire Korean peninsula, most recently 
        in the March 7, 2013, United Nations Security Council Resolution 2094 
        which implemented a fourth round of international sanctions;
Whereas North Korea has continued to threaten and strike against the Republic of 
        Korea, a valued United States ally, including the March 2010 sinking of 
        the Republic of Korea's navy ship Cheonan and the November 23, 2010, 
        North Korean bombardment of Yeonpyeong Island, resulting in the deaths 
        of 50 South Koreans;
Whereas the United States remains committed to honoring its obligations under 
        the Mutual Defense Treaty and fully supporting the approximately 28,000 
        men and women of the United States Armed Forces deployed on the Korean 
        peninsula, enduring separation from their families and other hardships 
        in solidarity with the armed forces of the Republic of Korea; and
Whereas the United States is working closely with the Republic of Korea to find 
        a peaceful solution to the security concerns brought about by the North 
        Korean nuclear weapons and ballistic missile program, even in the face 
        of threats and provocations from North Korea that only serve to 
        strengthen the bond between the Republic of Korea and the United States: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That--
            (1) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that 
        the relationship between the Republic of Korea and the United 
        States is one of great strength and mutual benefit; and
            (2) the House of Representatives--
                    (A) affirms the unyielding support of the people of 
                the United States for a secure Republic of Korea 
                through its commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty and 
                other measures to deter North Korean aggression and 
                provocation;
                    (B) recommits to strengthening the economic, 
                military, and cultural ties that provide both nations 
                with such a valuable partner in confronting the 
                economic and security challenges of the 21st century;
                    (C) congratulates President Park Geun-Hye on her 
                historic election to the presidency of the Republic of 
                Korea;
                    (D) welcomes President Park's visit to Washington, 
                DC, on May 6, 2013, to May 8, 2013; and
                    (E) wishes President Park well during her tenure of 
                leadership.
                                 <all>
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