ICAS Bulletin
Institute for Corean-American Studies, Inc.




May 17, 2004



The Hon Curt Weldon

United States Congressman

to address

The North Korean Issues

ICAS Spring Symposium: Humanity, Peace and Secuirty
May 19, 2004 Wednesday 12:30 PM - 5:30 PM
United States Rayburn House Office Building Room RHOB 2200
Capitol Hill, Washington D C 20515


Dear Friend:

We are pleased to share with you that The Hon Curt Weldon will address "The North Korean Issues" at the ICAS Spring Symposium 2004.
Congressman Curt Weldon represents the Seventh Congressional District of Pennsylvania. Currently serving his ninth term, Weldon is the most senior Republican in the Pennsylvania Delegation. A Member of the House of Representatives since 1987, Curt has taken leadership roles on a wide variety of issues, ranging from national security to the environment.

A senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, Weldon served six years as the Chairman of the Military Research and Development Subcommittee, overseeing the development and testing of key military systems, weapons programs, and technologies that fulfill military needs. Curt has used that position to become the leading House supporter of a national missile defense to protect America's families and communities. He now serves as the Vice Chairman of the full Committee as well as Chairman of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee. Curt's role will ensure that our service men and women are adequately prepared for duty in the high-tech world of the 21st century.

Weldon, a major in Russian Studies, has made improving relations with Russia one of his major efforts in the House. Curt has worked with Russian leaders on a variety of issues, including efforts to improve Russia's energy supply, correct environmental damage, and protect both nations from ballistic missile attack. He is the founder of the Duma-Congress Study Group. This bilateral parliamentary exchange helps coordinate legislative efforts in the Russian Duma and the Congress which fosters a better working relationship between the two nations. Recently, Curt co-authored a comprehensive framework designed to improve the state of relations between the two countries. Titled "A New Time, A New Beginning", his proposal makes recommendation for cooperative efforts in eleven different areas ranging from defense and national security to space exploration and scientific research.

As a member of the Science Committee, Weldon is one of the most outspoken advocates for the environment and protection of our oceans. Weldon's "Oceans Agenda" legislation passed the Congress in 1995, increasing funding for oceanographic research projects. Curt is a champion of environmental concerns as the only House Republican on the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission which approves funding for our wildlife refuges and wetlands preservation. Weldon is a member of Global Legislators for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE) where he serves as Chairman of the Oceans Protection Task Force. Curt also serves as United States Vice-President on the Advisory Committee on the Protection of the Sea (ACOPS).

Born and raised in a blue-collar family, Weldon understands the issues that affect America's working men and women. In Congress, Curt has been a tireless advocate of issues important to working class families. He co-authored the Family Medical Leave Act, pushed for the extension of unemployment benefits, has consistently supported raising the minimum wages, opposed the North American Free Trade Agreement and voted for historic across-the-board tax cuts.

Weldon was born in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania on July 22, 1947, the youngest of nine children. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from West Chester University in 1969.

Prior to becoming a Member of Congress, Curt worked as an educator at local schools in Delaware County and volunteered as a firefighter in Marcus Hook. As mayor of the Marcus Hook Borough, in which he was nominated twice on both Republican and Democratic ballots, he led the fight to revive the small town that was home to the violent and destructive Pagan motorcycle gang. Utilizing his teaching and public safety skills, Weldon moved on to serve as the Director of Training and Manpower Development for a large corporation.

Prior to the terrorist attacks on America, Curt was an outspoken advocate of bolstering defenses, assisting first responders, and improving intelligence gathering capabilities. As a member of the Select Committee on Homeland Security and founder of the Homeland Security Caucus, Weldon is a frequent keynote speaker at various defense and national security conferences across the country. Curt is a regular guest on national news and television programs, is the author of letters and opinion papers for various news sources, and teaches advanced courses at local colleges and universities.

Weldon resides with his wife Mary Gallagher Weldon and their five children in Thornbury Township, Pennsylvania.

Other confirmed speakers, to date, include Michael J Green (Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and Senior Director for Asian Affairs at the National Security Council, The White House); Lawrence R Klein (ICAS Distinguished Fellow; Benjamin Franklin Professor Economics Emeritus University of Pennsylvania; Nobel Laureate), Sook Jong Lee (Senior Research Fellow, Sejong Institute, Seoul; Visiting Fellow, Brookings Institution), David S Maxwell (Colonel, U S Army Special Forces, National War College, National Defense University) and Masaharu Nakagawa (MP, Democratic Party, Japan; Secretary General, Democratic Party Diet Members' Federation on North Korean Refugees and Humanitarian Issue). Thank you.


Regards,
Sang Joo Kim / signed
Sr. Fellow & Executive Vice President
ICAS




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