SR0783 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0783 LRB096 22027 KXB 40365 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Korean War began on June 25, 1950 and raged for three bloody years; one and a half million United States soldiers, including thousands from Illinois, answered the call to arms during the war; and

WHEREAS, 54,246 United States citizens, including 1,754 Illinois residents, lost their lives while fighting in Korea; and

WHEREAS, A total of 103,284 United States soldiers were wounded during the fighting in Korea, 7,140 taken prisoner, and 8,177 were listed as missing in action; and

WHEREAS, A total of 131 Medals of Honor were received for exceptional bravery and courage by United States soldiers fighting in Korea, 93 posthumously, including eight Medals of Honor received by soldiers from Illinois, six posthumously; and

WHEREAS, The service and sacrifice of United States soldiers during the Korean War is equal to the service and sacrifice of United States soldiers in any of our nation's wars throughout our history; and

WHEREAS, The number of living Korean War veterans continues to dwindle each year, depriving those deceased warriors the opportunity to share their experiences and to accept the thanks for their service from a grateful nation; and

WHEREAS, The Korean War is often referred to as "The Forgotten War" because it fell between the conclusion of World War II and the beginning of the Vietnam War, and because the shaky truce that ended open hostilities in 1953 left the conflict without official closure; and

WHEREAS, The 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War occurs on June 25, 2010; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Korean War by supplying information each month about the State's involvement in the conflict, starting in June 2010 and running through July 2013, to the State's newspapers, radio and TV stations; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, the Illinois Korean Memorial Association, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum are sponsoring "Illinois Remembers the Forgotten War" along with media partners the Illinois Press Association and the Illinois Broadcasters Association, to ensure that "The Forgotten War" is forgotten no more in Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate June 25, 2010 to be Korean War Remembrance Day in the State of Illinois, and hereby encourage all Illinois residents to remember and appreciate the brave men and women who served honorably and paid the ultimate price defending our freedom during the Korean War, to ensure that this generation, and those to follow, never forget these heroes and the values for which they fought.