GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

H	2 

HOUSE RESOLUTION 1864
Corrected Copy 6/22/00

─────────────────────────────────────── 
Sponsors: Representatives Warner, Barefoot, and C. Wilson (Primary Sponsors).

─────────────────────────────────────── 
Referred to:  Rules, Calendar and Operations of the House.

─────────────────────────────────────── 

June 21, 2000

A HOUSE RESOLUTION HONORING THE MEMORY OF THE AMERICAN MEN AND WOMEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE KOREAN WAR ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR.
Whereas, at 4:00 A. M. on Sunday, June 25, 1950, the North Korean People's Army under Marshal Choc Yong Gun crossed the 38th parallel into the Republic of Korea (South Korea) with an initial invasion force of seven infantry divisions and a tank brigade; and
Whereas, in response to an urgent request of the United Nations Securities Council for member nations to come to the aid of the Republic of Korea, President Harry Truman authorized the use of the air and sea forces of the United States of America on June 27; and
Whereas, as American pilots began their bombing missions against North Korean troops on June 28, the United States of America suffered its first casualties in the Korean War; and
Whereas, American ground troops were ordered into the Republic of Korea on June 30, just two days after its capital, Seoul, fell to the invading North Korean Army; and
Whereas, over the next three years American men and women joined with their comrades from 14 other United Nations countries (Great Britain, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Thailand, France, Greece, New Zealand, Netherlands, Colombia, Belgium, Ethiopia, Luxemborg, and South Africa) to heroically repel the invading forces and to restore the political, civil, and military integrity of the Republic of Korea; and
Whereas, the American military presence in South Korea was the determining factor in the outcome of the first war in which the United Nations had engaged; and
Whereas, courageous Americans fought, bled, and died in every theater of operations in the Korean War; and
Whereas, the sacrifice, the heroism, and the gallantry of Americans at Inchon, Seoul, the Yalu River, the Pusan Perimeter, the Chosin Reservoir, Pork Chop Hill, the Iron Triangle, Heartbreak Ridge, and many other places on Korean soil were in the finest tradition of the Armed Forces of the United States of America; and
Whereas, of the 147,131 combat casualties suffered by United States forces during the Korean War, some 33,629 Americans were killed in action or died of battle wounds; and
Whereas, more than 177,000 North Carolinians served their nation in military service during the Korean War; and
Whereas, 2,272 North Carolinians were wounded in action and 784 North Carolinians made the ultimate sacrifice in the Korean War; and
Whereas, three North Carolinians were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their outstanding valor during the Korean War; and
Whereas, the week of June 25 - July 1 marks the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War; and
Whereas, it is right and fitting that a grateful State and nation should reflect upon and honor the important role that North Carolina and the United States of America played in the Korean War; and
Whereas, as all of America begins to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War, the House of Representatives deems it just and proper to honor the live and memory of the deceased American men and women who served in that war; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
Section 1.  The House of Representatives expresses its gratitude and appreciation for all of the American men and women, who in military and civilian roles, sacrificed for and served their nation in the Korean War.
Section 2.  The House of Representatives mourns the loss of all North Carolinians and all Americans who gave their lives in the Korean War.
Section 3.  The House of Representatives extends its sincere sympathy and gratitude to the families of the deceased North Carolina veterans who served in the Korean War.
Section 4.  The House of Representatives requests that all citizens of North Carolina memoralize the fallen heroes of the Korean War by taking an active part in the many events that are scheduled over the next three years to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the war.
Section 5.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.