US Congressman Praises Korean First Lady

The chairman of the U.S. House Ways and Means Charlie Rangel (Democratic-New York), who is a Korean War veteran and the head of a standing committee on the ratification of the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement, has praised Korean First Lady Kim Yoon-ok at a formal congressional session.

Representing New York’s Harlem district, Rangel asked for the opportunity to speak to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and step on the podium.

“I stand here to show my respect to First Lady Kim Yoon-ok of the Republic of Korea, one of the most valuable and important women who visited the United States,” he said. “Kim not only went to the U.N. General Assembly with her husband, President Lee Myung-bak, but also invited Korean War veterans to lunch.”

Rangel cited Kim’s study of health education at Ewha Womans University in Seoul and for being Korea’s fourth first lady to graduate from this university.

“Kim is building a reputation at home and abroad as a strong advocate of women’s and children’s rights and family values,” he added.

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