[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 185 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







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

   Mr. Allen (for himself, Mr. Helms, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Warner, Mr. 
Allard, Mr. Inouye, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Biden, Mr. Smith of Oregon, Mr. 
 Grassley, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Fitzgerald, and Mr. Gramm) submitted the 
   following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
                               Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               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 
        medalist, 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 undergird 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.
                                 <all>