www.samjohnson.house.gov

Johnson
Contact: McCall Avery (202) 225-4201


SENATOR CARDIN AND CONGRESSMEN HOYER AND JOHNSON INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO HONOR AMERICAN VETERANS WHO SERVED IN KOREAN WAR


Washington, Jun 25 -


On the 57th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD),
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
(D-MD) and U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson
(R-TX)  today introduced bipartisan legislation to grant a federal charter to
the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA), a non-profit fraternal veterans’
organization. 


 


“The Korean War is often referred to as the ‘forgotten’
war.  This legislation would let the nearly 1.2 million American veterans of the
Korean War who are still alive know that we have not forgotten them, and we
honor the sacrifice they made for our nation,” said Senator Cardin.


 


“Korean War veterans
deserve the same official federal recognition for their struggles and sacrifices
on behalf of freedom that other veterans enjoy,” said Congressman Hoyer.
“Granting this Federal Charter is a small expression of appreciation our nation
can offer these brave men and women and represents a critical step in ensuring
that the "Forgotten War' is forgotten no more.” 


 


“It's about time those who served in the Korean War
enjoy the same mark of distinction and national recognition as those who came
home from World War II.  I can't think of a better way to honor our patriots
from Korea,” mentioned Johnson, a 29-year
Air Force veteran.  During the Korean War, Johnson flew 62 combat missions in
his F-86, stationed just 25 miles away from the front lines.  In his plane named
for his wife, Shirley's Texas Tornado, Johnson scored one MiG fighter kill, one
probable and one damaged.


 


Louis Dechert, President of the Korean War Veterans
Association, said, “We strongly support this legislation and are grateful to
Senator Cardin and Congressmen Hoyer and Johnson for all their efforts on behalf
of the Korean War Veterans Association.”


 


The KWVA is the only fraternal veterans’ organization in
the Unites States devoted exclusively to Korean War veterans and the only
U.S. member of the International
Federation of Korean War Veterans Association.  Incorporated in 1985, the
20,000-member charitable association also is one of the few veterans’ service
organizations in America that has not been recognized
with a federal charter.


 


“Recognition of our Korean War veterans is long
overdue.  It’s time to acknowledge and commemorate their service,” said Senator
Cardin.