[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 297 Introduced in House (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.
                                 <all>