1.1A bill for an act1.2relating to veterans; designating July 27 as Korean War Armistice Day;proposing 1.3coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 197.1.4BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:1.5    Section 1. [197.99] KOREAN WAR ARMISTICE DAY.1.6    Subdivision 1.Purpose.When communist North Korean troops invaded South 1.7Korea on June 25, 1950, the United States took immediate action to defend the freedom 1.8of a people unjustly attacked. Leading a coalition of 20 other nations, American and 1.9South Korean troops fought to advance liberty and opportunity, and to overcome cruelty 1.10and repression. More than 1.7 million members of the United States armed forces faced 1.11forbidding terrain, harsh weather, and brutal combat while demonstrating extraordinary 1.12honor, skill, and courage to beat back the invading enemy forces. More than 34,000 1.13American men and women, including over 700 Minnesotans, sacrificed their lives in battle 1.14during that war. Another 92,000 American troops were wounded, and more than 8,000 1.15have been listed as missing in action or taken prisoner.1.16The Military Armistice Agreement of July 27, 1953, ended the three years of bitter 1.17warfare stopping the spread of communism on the Korean Peninsula and signaling to the 1.18world America's resolve to stand against tyrannical and totalitarian regimes. Today, South 1.19Korea stands as a shining example of the economic and social benefits of democracy.1.20The purpose of this act is to perpetually honor the brave men and women, living 1.21and dead, who comprise America's Korean War veterans.1.22    Subd. 2.Designation.July 27 of each year is designated as Korean War Armistice 1.23Day in Minnesota.2.1    Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.2.2Section 1 is effective July 27, 2008.