*EPF304 09/25/2002
Text: House Resolution Honors 100 Years of Korean Immigration to U.S.
(H. Con. Res. 297 passed September 25 in 417-0 vote) (700)

The House of Representatives passed a resolution September 25 honoring 100 years of Korean immigration to the United States.

House Concurrent Resolution 297 (H. Con. Res. 297) passed the House in a 417-0 vote.

Representative Peter Hoekstra (Republican of Michigan) introduced the measure to the House in December of last year. The resolution had 32 co-sponsors.

H. Con. Res. 297 notes that the first group of Korean immigrants left Korea for the United States in December, 1902.

The resolution recognizes the contributions made by Korean immigrants to the United States and recalls the shared effort of South Korea and the United States to oppose communist aggression.

"Korean-Americans, like waves of immigrants that came to the United States before them, have taken root and thrived in the United States through strong family ties, community support, and hard work," the resolution says.

Korean immigrants, it adds, have "invigorated businesses, churches, and academic communities in the United States."

Following is the text of House Concurrent Resolution 297 from the Congressional Record:

(begin text)

Recognizing the historical significance of 100 years of Korean immigration to the United States.

Introduced in House
HCON 297 IH
107th CONGRESS
1st Session

H. CON. RES. 297

Recognizing the historical significance of 100 years of Korean immigration to the United States.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 20, 2001

Mr. HOEKSTRA (for himself and Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing the historical significance of 100 years of Korean immigration to the United States.

Whereas missionaries from the United States played a central role in nurturing the political and religious evolution of modern Korea;

Whereas in December 1902, 56 men, 21 women and 25 children left Korea and traveled across the Pacific Ocean on the S.S. Gaelic and landed in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 13, 1903;

Whereas the early Korean-American community was united around the common goal of obtaining independence from their colonized mother country;

Whereas members of the Korean-American community have served with distinction in the Armed Forces of the United States during World War I, World War II, and the Korean Conflict;

Whereas on June 25, 1950, Communist North Korea invaded South Korea with approximately 135,000 troops, thereby initiating the involvement of approximately 5,720,000 personnel, both military and civilian from South Korea and the United States, who worked to stem the spread of communism in Korea;

Whereas casualties in the United States Armed Forces included 54,260 dead, of whom 33,665 were battle deaths, 92,134 wounded, and 8,176 listed as missing in action or prisoners of war;

Whereas in the early 1950s, thousands of Koreans, fleeing from war, poverty, and desolation, came to the United States seeking opportunities;

Whereas Korean-Americans, like waves of immigrants that came to the United States before them, have taken root and thrived in the United States through strong family ties, community support, and hard work;

Whereas Korean immigration has invigorated businesses, churches, and academic communities in the United States;

Whereas according to the 2000 United States Census, Korean-Americans own and operate 135,571 businesses across the United States that have gross sales of $46,000,000,000 annually, and employ 333,649 individuals;

Whereas the contributions of Korean-Americans to the United States include the development of the first beating heart operation for coronary artery disease, the development of several varieties of the nectarine, and achievements in engineering, architecture, medicine, acting, singing, sculpture, and writing;

Whereas Korean-Americans play a crucial role in maintaining the strength and vitality of the United States-Korean relationship;

Whereas the partnership of the United States and South Korea helps maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and provides economic benefits to the people of both nations and to the rest of the world; and

Whereas beginning in 2003, more than 100 communities throughout the United States will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Korean immigration to the United States: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress--

(1) recognizes the achievements and contributions of Korean-Americans to the United States over the past 100 years; and

(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States and interested organizations to observe the anniversary with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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