Washington, D.C. - December 3, 2016 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) praised the passage of H.Con.Res.40, a resolution that encourages North Korea to allow Korean Americans to meet with their family members from North Korea and calls on North Korea to take concrete steps to build goodwill that is conducive to peace on the Korean Peninsula. Introduced by Rep. Rangel with House Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA), the bill passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, by a voice vote.
“More than anything else, Congress is saying today that let the people God created of the same blood, same background, same culture – let them meet. Rangel said. “This resolution lays the foundation for divided family members to meet their loved ones whom they have not been able to see for over six decades,” I could never imagine being unable to see my brother or daughter for that length of time. These Americans have every right to see their loved ones and it is our duty to help them by encouraging reunions.”
Rangel first introduced this resolution as H.Con.Res.91 in February 2014. To further raise awareness on the issue, he hosted a screening of the documentary “The Divided Families Film” at the Capitol Visitors Center about Korean Americans' search for lost relatives in North Korea.
The Korean War, which broke out on June 25, 1950, separated more than 10 million families, including some 100,000 Korean Americans. Since the first historic Korean summit in 2000, around 20 rounds of brief reunions between South and North Korean family members have taken place along the border. Unfortunately, Korean Americans impacted by the war have never been provided the same opportunity and their numbers are declining significantly.
“Despite North Korea’s provocations, the United States must remain firmly committed to the humanitarian aspects of family reunions. I am pleased to see this resolution pass before I leave office. I would also like to thank my dear friend and colleague, Chairman Ed Royce, who championed this resolution with me, as well as Divided Families USA, Council of Korean Americans, Korean American Coalition, and KAAGNY among many Korean American organizations and leaders who advocated for its passage,” Rangel added.
The resolution will now go to the Senate for approval, where it has bipartisan support from Senators Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Mark Warner (D-VA. Once passed, separated Korean American families will be one step closer to meeting their long-lost relatives in North Korea. H.Con.Res.40 is one of the final pieces of legislation sponsored by Rangel to pass the House during his 46-year career.
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