Rep. Charles Rangel's H Res. 376 - Calling for Repatriation of POW/MIAs from the Korean War

Washington, DC -- Congressman Charles Rangel's resolution, H. Res 376 - Calling for Repatriation of POW/MIAs and Abductees in North Korea, was passed unanimously by Congress on Tuesday evening, December 13, 2011.

Despite a gridlocked House, Rangel's resolution achieved overwhelming bipartisan support from both sides of the aisle. The resolution calls upon the U.S. government to resume and continue search and recovery operations for remains of 8,000 American soldiers in North Korea. It also calls for repatriation of the 100,000 South Korean civilians abducted during the Korean War.

Of the approximately 83,000 Americans missing from all conflicts, more than 7,900 are from the Korean War. 5,500 of these Americans are believed to be missing in North Korea. The U.S. halted operations to search for POW/MIA Americans missing in North Korea in 2005 due to increased tensions on the Korean Peninsula, but recently reached an arrangement in October to resume recovering the remains of American servicemen missing from the Korean War beginning spring of 2012.

The resolution also calls for the repatriation of South Korean civilians who were forcibly taken into North Korea during the Korean War. The Korean War Abductees' Family Union continues to fight for repatriation of the tens of thousands of South Koreans missing in North Korea. The New York Times recently reported on the union, whose represents over 700 families, and its struggle to recover their loved ones.

A Korean War veteran himself, who has earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Medal for his service in Korea in 1950 (Kunuri battle), Rangel has also sponsored H.R. 2632 Korean War Veterans Recognition Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-41), and H.J.Res.86: Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War and Reaffirming U.S.-Korea Alliance, which passed in 2010. Rangel is often quoted to say "And I Haven't Had A Bad Day Since" November 30, 1950, when he was left for dead in the North Korea. In Congress, he is one of the strongest supporters of the Korean people and the Republic of Korea.

H. Res 376 was introduced by Rangel on July 27, 2011, National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. It was supported by more than 60 bipartisan co-sponsors.

Many organizations have publicly supported the passing of Rangel's resolution, including: the Korean War Veterans Association, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Coalition of Families of Korean & Cold War POW/MIA's, Korean War POW Affairs, the International Korean War Memorial Foundation, South Korean NGO's and the Korean War Abductees' Family union.

Often referenced as the 'Forgotten War,' the Korean War involved a total of 26 countries: Allies - Republic of Korea, United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Ethiopia, France, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, Naval Support and Military Servicing/Repairs: Japan, Medical staff: Denmark, Italy, Norway, India, Sweden; Communist - Democratic People's Republic of Korea, People's Republic of China, Soviet Union

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Resolution (law)
• Korea
• Korean War
• War
• North Korea
• South Korea
• veterans
• POW
• MIA
• Rep. Charles Rangel
• Congressman Charles Rangel
• Charlie Rangel

[tumimasemolas]

good shot soldier

[deadspace123ful]

FIRST COMMENT!!!!!