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California Senate adopts resolution commemorating Korean War anniversary
Summary
The California State Senate on June 25, 2025 adopted Senate Resolution 49 commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Korean War and honoring U.S. and Korean service members; senators recounted personal and regional ties to the conflict and noted ongoing security and humanitarian consequences on the peninsula.
Senator Choi introduced Senate Resolution 49 on June 25, 2025 to mark the anniversary of the Korean War; the Senate adopted the resolution by recorded vote, 36-0.
SR 49 commemorates the anniversary of the 1950-53 conflict, honors veterans and families who lost loved ones, and recognizes the long-standing ties between the United States and the Republic of Korea. On the floor, senators described the war's human costs, California's Korean-American community contributions, and historical moments linking the state to the conflict.
Senator Choi, identifying as a Korean American and a veteran of service in Korea, said, "On 06/25/1950, the Korean War began... More than 36,000 never came home." Choi described family histories of loss and resilience and urged colleagues to vote in favor of the resolution.
Other senators spoke in support and offered personal testimony. Senator Strickland recalled his father's service and the role of nearly 1.8 million Americans who served in the Korean War; he said the conflict is often called "the forgotten war" despite its long-term consequences. Senator McNerney also noted the continuing U.S. military presence in Korea and cited figures mentioned on the floor, saying 1,800,000 Americans served and more than 36,000 died.
Speakers emphasized the ongoing division on the Korean Peninsula and the war's continuing human impacts, including separated families and Korean adoptees who were sent overseas in the decades after the war. Several senators highlighted local landmarks and organizations that connect California to Korean War history, such as the Korean Friendship Bell in San Pedro and contributions from California's National Guard units.
The Senate adopted SR 49 on a recorded vote; the resolution is a formal state commemoration that does not create legal obligations. Members indicated plans for a larger commemoration event on Korean Independence Day and for outreach to Korean War veterans in the community.
Vote: SR 49 adopted (Ayes: 36; Noes: 0).
