Expressing the importance of the United States alliance with the Republic of Korea and the contributions of Korean Americans in the United States.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 301 Expressing the importance of the United States alliance with the Republic of Korea and the contributions of Korean Americans in the United States. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APRIL 9, 2019 Mr. SUOZZI (for himself, Ms. MENG, Mr. MEEKS, Mr. KING of New York, and Mr. WILSON of South Carolina) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Expressing the importance of the United States alliance with the Republic of Korea and the contributions of Korean Americans in the United States. Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea enjoy a comprehensive alliance partnership, founded in shared strategic interests and cemented by a commitment to democratic values; Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea work closely together to promote international peace and secu- rity, economic prosperity, human rights, and the rule of law; Whereas the relationship between the United States and the Republic of Korea goes as far back as Korea’s Chosun Dynasty, when the United States and Korea established VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:37 Apr 10, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR301.IH HR301 pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 301 IH diplomatic relations under the 1882 Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce, and Navigation; Whereas, on August 15, 1948, the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, established on April 11, 1919, was dissolved and transitioned to the First Republic of Korea, the country’s first independent government; Whereas United States military personnel have maintained a continuous presence on the Korean Peninsula since the Mutual Defense Treaty was signed at Washington on Oc- tober 1, 1953 (5 UST 2368), between the United States and the Republic of Korea; Whereas, on May 7, 2013, the United States and the Repub- lic of Korea signed a Joint Declaration in Commemora- tion of the 60th Anniversary of the Alliance Between the Republic of Korea and the United States; Whereas, 63 years ago, the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation, with Protocol, was signed at Seoul on November 28, 1956 (8 UST 2217), between the United States and the Republic of Korea; Whereas the economic relationship between the United States and the Republic of Korea is deep and mutually bene- ficial to both countries; Whereas the Republic of Korea is the United States seventh- largest trading partner; Whereas the Republic of Korea is the fifth fastest growing source of foreign direct investment in the United States; Whereas the United States is the largest source of foreign di- rect investment in the Republic of Korea; VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:37 Apr 10, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR301.IH HR301 pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 301 IH Whereas, on January 13, 1903, 102 pioneer Korean immi- grants arrived in the United States, initiating the first chapter of Korean immigration to America; Whereas the over 2,000,000 Korean Americans living in the United States contribute to the diversity and prosperity of our Nation, participate in all facets of American life, and have made significant contributions to the economic vitality of the United States; Whereas members of the Korean American community serve with distinction in the Armed Forces of the United States; Whereas Korean Americans continue to build and strengthen the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea; and Whereas the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (Public Law 115–409), signed into law on December 31, 2018, states that the United States Government— (1) is committed to the Mutual Defense Treaty Be- tween the United States and the Republic of Korea, done at Washington on October 1, 1953, and all related and subsequent bilateral security agreements and arrange- ments concluded on or before the date of the enactment of this Act; (2) recognizes the vital role of the alliance between the United States and South Korea in promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region; and (3) calls for the strengthening and broadening of diplomatic, economic, and security ties between the United States and the Republic of Korea: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:37 Apr 10, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR301.IH HR301 pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS 4 •HRES 301 IH (1) recognizes the vital role the alliance of the 1 United States and the Republic of Korea plays in 2 promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific re- 3 gion; 4 (2) calls for the strengthening and broadening 5 of diplomatic, economic, and security ties between 6 the United States and the Republic of Korea; 7 (3) reaffirms the United States alliance with 8 the Republic of Korea is central to advancing Amer- 9 ican interests and engagement in the region, based 10 on shared commitments of democracy, free market 11 economy, human rights, and the rule of law; and 12 (4) recognizes the formation of the Provisional 13 Government 100 years ago as fundamental to the vi- 14 brancy, success, and prosperity of the Republic of 15 Korea’s democracy today. 16 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:37 Apr 10, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR301.IH HR301 pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS