; Whereas since the armistice agreement, more than 40,000 members of the Armed Forces of the United States have served in the Republic of Korea or the surrounding waters; Whereas some veterans of the Armed Forces suffer from exposure to Agent Orange, which was used during a period that began in 1968 and ended in 1971 in and around the demilitarized zone; Whereas members of the Armed Forces who served in the demilitarized zone were exposed to Agent Orange long after the Armed Forces stopped using it; Whereas members of the Armed Forces who served in the Korean War during the period that began in 1966 and ended in 1974 received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Whereas few of the soldiers who fought and died in the Korean War have been nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor or awarded the Silver Star or Bronze Star or the Combat Infantry Badge for valor in combat or the Purple Heart for being wounded in combat; and Whereas members of the Armed Forces who served or are serving in the Republic of Korea since July 28, 1954, have received the Korean Defense Service Medal: Now, therefore, be it