Encouraging Reunions of Divided Korean American Families

Floor Speech

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

I rise to support H. Con. Res. 40. I am pleased to support this measure that was introduced by Congressman Charlie Rangel of New York, and I associate myself with the chairman's remarks in the praise of Charlie's service not only during the Korean war, but after that war, to focus on families that are both here and in Korea who were affected by that conflict.

A decorated veteran of the Korean war, Representative Rangel has been a tireless advocate for peace and security on the peninsula and for the Korean American community here in the United States. His achievements are many, and as he retires after 40 decades of service here in Congress, he will, of course, be missed.

What Congressman Rangel and the many cosponsors of H. Con. Res. 40 bring forth today--154 bipartisan cosponsors, including the chair and ranking member of the committee, myself, and so many others--is a reminder not just of the complex security situation on the peninsula, but of the human dimension of a war that has not been formally ended.

As this resolution reminds us, there are 10 million people on the Korean Peninsula and around the world who are victims of this family division, and there are some 100,000 American citizens who are still waiting to see--perhaps for one last time--family members that they have not seen for 60 years, who have remained north of the 38th parallel in the aftermath of the Korean war. There are approximately 1.7 million Korean Americans here in the United States. As I mentioned, over 100,000 of them have relatives who are north of the DMZ, and I am pleased to say that over half of those Korean Americans reside in the State of California.

The Korean Americans who have been divided from their families in North Korea are now in their senior years. Time is running out for these separated families to reunite--perhaps for just one last time-- with parents, siblings, children. For many, reunification will be the only contact they will have had in so many decades. As of yet, Korean Americans have not been permitted to participate in family reunions. North Korea should encourage reunions for the sake of their own citizens who are divided family members, for Korean Americans, and for those affected by the war no matter where in the world they live.

H. Con. Res. 40 urges the North Korea regime to resume family reunification visits, which have been suspended for over a year, and to allow families that chance to get together. It also calls on North Korea to take concrete steps to build goodwill that is conducive to peace on the Korean Peninsula. This is particularly important given the nuclear weapons tests and missile tests that we have seen from the north.

The reunification of families is a goodwill gesture that can help put the world and northeast Asia on the road to peace. That is why I support this resolution and urge all of my colleagues to do the same.

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

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