Kankakee Times

State Representative Jackie Haas acknowledged the anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement signing, stating, "Today be sure to remember and honor those who served during this war while also remembering the importance of peace across the globe." She made the statement in a July 27 Facebook post.

"On this day in 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed, which officially ended the Korean War," said Haas, according to Facebook. "Today be sure to remember and honor those who served during this war while also remembering the importance of peace across the globe."

The Korean War started on June 25, 1950, and ended on July 27, 1953, after North Korea, South Korea, the United States, and the People’s Republic of China agreed to an armistice. According to History.com, this agreement not only stopped the war but also established the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea. It arranged for the release and repatriation of prisoners of war and displaced persons and prevented both countries from entering areas under control of the other by air, ground, or sea.

Screenshot of Rep. Jackie Hass' July 27 Facebook post. | State Representative Jackie Haas Facebook page

In a July 2024 proclamation on National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, President Joe Biden explained the significance of the day. "On National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, we honor the service and sacrifice of the American and Korean service members who fought valiantly in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. We hold in our hearts the memories of the 36,000 Americans and more than 7,000 Korean Augmentation to the United States Army soldiers who laid down their lives for the sacred cause of freedom. We recommit to upholding their legacy through our alliance with the Republic of Korea and by securing the future they gave everything for — one of peace, stability, and prosperity," Biden wrote in a proclamation dated July 25, 2024. He declared July 27, 2024 as "National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day" and encouraged Americans to reflect on the "strength, sacrifices, and sense of duty" of veterans of the Korean War.

Rep. Haas was elected to represent Illinois’ 79th House District in December 2020. She is CEO of the Helen Wheeler Center for Community Health; she was a social worker at Riverside Medical Center and holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Valparaiso University as well as a Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois-Chicago.