TO
THE HONORABLE WILLIAM J. CLINTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT
OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE
SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS
ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE:
We,
your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of
Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and
petition as follows:
WHEREAS,
On Sunday, June 25, 1950, seven North Korean Army Divisions supported by tanks
and aircraft, conducted an attack and invaded the Southern Republic of Korea;
and
WHEREAS,
Three years and over five million casualties later, a cease fire was secured
ending the fighting only miles from where it began; and
WHEREAS,
The Korean War has only become a footnote in history to most Americans, but was
no less of a war to the one and one-half million fighting men and women from
this nation who served in that short "Police Action" and struggled to
contain Communist aggression; and
WHEREAS,
The memories of endless hostile hills, gritty pudding-like mud, snow, choking
dust, frozen reservoirs, long periods of boredom, and the violent death of
friends will forever linger in the minds of those who fought under these
inhospitable conditions; and
WHEREAS,
Twenty-two nations joined forces with the courageous people of South Korea,
cherishing freedom and democracy under the United Nations Command, and
eventually secured a cease fire for the preservation of peace and a democratic
way of life for the citizens of South Korea; and
WHEREAS,
More than five hundred sons and daughters of Washington state stood in the
unbroken line of patriots who dared to die in order that freedom might live and
grow. Freedom lives and through it, these courageous men and women live in a
way that would humble the undertakings of most people; and
WHEREAS,
The families and loved ones of these men and women sacrificed just as much, by
enduring the pain of their absence, the uncertainty of their whereabouts, and
the agony of their deaths; and
WHEREAS,
This millennium commemorates the 50th anniversary of that holocaust, known as
"the Forgotten War" and veterans' service organizations are involved
in honoring those gallant veterans who fought the battles for the preservation
of freedom, and the members of the armed forces who even to this day guard the
gates of freedom in Korea; and
WHEREAS,
As a nation, we should educate every generation of Americans on the history of
the Korean War in preserving our nation's liberty, freedom, and prosperity, and
commemorating this event will provide Americans with a clear understanding of,
and appreciation for, the sacrifices of these veterans and their families;
NOW,
THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully encourage communities nation-wide to
hold public recognition programs commemorating the 50th anniversary of the
Korean War;
BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately
transmitted to the Honorable William J. Clinton, President of the United
States, the Secretary of the United States Department of Defense, the President
of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and
each member of Congress from the State of Washington.
