Senate Resolution No. 2057

BY: Senator SCARCELLA-SPANTON

CELEBRATING the courage and bravery of New York
State's Korean War Veterans and recognizing the men
and women who served with dignity and honor during
this historic time period at the Senate's Korean War
Veteran Celebration on April 4, 2024

WHEREAS, Members of the United States Armed Forces, who served so
faithfully and courageously in wars in which our Nation's freedom was at
stake, as well as in the preservation of peace during peacetime, deserve
the highest commendation of this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, this Legislative Body is proud
to welcome veterans of the Korean War to the Senate Chamber on Thursday,
April 4, 2024, for its annual celebration in recognition of the brave
men and women who served our country with dignity and honor; and

WHEREAS, On June 25, 1950, communist North Korea invaded the
Republic of Korea with approximately 135,000 troops, thereby initiating
the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, On June 27, 1950, President Harry Truman ordered the United
States Armed Forces to help the Republic of Korea defend itself against
the North Korean invasion; and

WHEREAS, Hostilities ended in a cease-fire marked by the signing of
the armistice at Panmunjom on July 27, 1953, although the peninsula
still technically remains in a state of war; and

WHEREAS, During the Korean War, approximately 1,789,000 members of
the United States Armed Forces served in theater along with the forces
of the Republic of Korea and 20 other members of the United Nations to
defend freedom and democracy; and

WHEREAS, Casualties in the United States Armed Forces during the
Korean War included 54,246 dead (of whom 33,739 were battle deaths),
more than 103,284 wounded, and approximately 8,055 listed as missing in
action or prisoners of war; and

WHEREAS, The Korean War Veterans Recognition Act was enacted on July
27, 2009, so that the honorable service and noble sacrifice by members
of the United States Armed Forces in the Korean War will never be
forgotten; and

WHEREAS, President Barack Obama issued a proclamation to designate
July 27, 2009, as the National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day and
called upon Americans to display flags at half-staff in memory of the
Korean War veterans; and

WHEREAS, Since 1975, the Republic of Korea has invited thousands of
American Korean War veterans, including members of the Korean War
Veterans Association, to revisit Korea in appreciation for their
sacrifices; and

WHEREAS, In the 74 years since the outbreak of the Korean War, the
Republic of Korea has emerged from a war-torn economy into one of the
major economies in the world and one of the largest trading partners of
the United States; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Republic of Korea is among the closest allies of
the United States, having contributed troops in support of United States
operations during the Vietnam War, Gulf War, and operations in Iraq and
Afghanistan, while also supporting numerous United Nations peacekeeping
missions throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, From the ashes of war and the sharing of spilled blood on
the battlefield, the United States and the Republic of Korea have
continuously stood shoulder-to-shoulder to promote and defend
international peace and security, economic prosperity, human rights, and
the rule of law both on the Korean Peninsula and beyond; now, therefore,
be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize and celebrate Korean War Veterans in the State of New York on
April 4, 2024.