LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION recognizing the 60th Anniversary of the end of
the Korean War, and paying tribute to the valiant service displayed by
the members of the United States Armed Forces

WHEREAS, Thousands of military personnel from the great State of New
York have served their country faithfully and courageously, with dedi-
cation and sacrifice, and are due the praise and just recognition of
this Legislative Body for their role in defense of our nation's liberty
and freedom; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to recognize the
60th Anniversary of the signing of the armistice to end the Korean War,
and to pay tribute to the valiant service displayed by the members of
the United States Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, On July 27, 1953, the United States, North Korea and China
signed an armistice to end the Korean War; and
WHEREAS, In response to a June 27, 1950, United Nations resolution
calling for assistance for the Republic of Korea (South Korea), Presi-
dent Harry S. Truman ordered American air and naval forces activated
and, on June 30, 1950, committed United States ground forces to the
Korean battle zone; and
WHEREAS, The fighting lasted three years; during the 37-month period,
more than 54,000 Americans died; 33,651 were killed in action; there
were 103,000 Americans wounded; 8,177 missing in action; and 7,000 pris-
oners of war; and
WHEREAS, The death toll included 2,249 New Yorkers, with another 6,530
wounded; and
WHEREAS, The Korean War was the first direct conflict of the Cold War
between United States and communist forces; and
WHEREAS, The Korean War was the first deployment of United States
troops to a combat zone to contain communist aggression; stemming the
spread of communism was a foreign policy goal during the Cold War; and
WHEREAS, Korea was the first war that saw a United Nations coalition;
and
WHEREAS, The Korean War is referred to as the "forgotten war" because
it came on the heels of World War II and was overshadowed by the Vietnam
War; and
WHEREAS, The term "Freedom is not free" is part of the National Korean
War Memorial in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Korean War Veterans Memorial was dedicated
on June 25, 1990, the 40th Anniversary of the start of the war; four New
Yorkers were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, our nation's
highest military medal; and
WHEREAS, The memorial is located at the Empire State Plaza, Albany,
New York; it features a pool surrounded by bronze plaques of flags
representing the 16 nations that sent combat troops to Korea; adjacent
to the pool is a semi-circular wall with three plaques offering a narra-
tive of the war and statistical information on state residents who
served, including casualties; a map of North and South Korea shows the
38th parallel and the location of the key battles; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense and presence of this Legislative Body, acting
on behalf of the citizens of this Empire State, to act now, with great
respect and reverent esteem, in honoring the members of the United
States Armed Service who have served their State and Nation so valiantly
and honorably in the defense of freedom and democracy during the Korean
conflict; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the armistice to end

the Korean War, and to pay tribute to the valiant service displayed by
the members of the United States Armed Forces, renewing its tribute to
the men and women of New York State who served so faithfully and coura-
geously on behalf of their State and Nation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Mr. Salvatore Scalato Department of New York Korean War
Veterans Association, and The Korean War Veterans National Museum (KWNM)
Library and Cultural Center, Springfield, Illinois.