National Association of Korean Americans

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107th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 185

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

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
November 30, 2001

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the historical significance of the 100th anniversary 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, and directly influenced the early Korean immigration to the United States;

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 attaining freedom and independence for their colonized mother country;

Whereas members of the early Korean-American community 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 of the United States Armed Forces who served during the Korean Conflict to defeat the spread of communism in Korea and throughout the world;

Whereas casualties in the United States Armed Forces during the Korean Conflict 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 to the United States before them, have taken root and thrived in the United States through strong family ties, robust community support, and countless hours of hard work;

Whereas Korean immigration to the United States has invigorated business, church, 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 and receipts of $46,000,000,000 and employ 333,649 individuals with an annual payroll of $5,800,000,000;

Whereas the contributions of Korean-Americans to the United States include, the invention of the first beating heart operation for coronary artery heart disease, the development of the nectarine, a 4-time Olympic gold medallist, 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 partnership;

Whereas the United States-Korean partnership helps under-gird peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and provides economic benefits to the people of the United States and Korea 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, That the Senate--
(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.