[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 164 (Friday, November 30, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12263-S12264]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

 SENATE RESOLUTION 185--RECOGNIZING THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 
      100TH ANNIVERSARY OF KOREAN IMMIGRATION TO THE UNITED STATES

  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.

                              S. Res. 185

       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.

  Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I am pleased to submit today, along with 
the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Biden, the 
Vice Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Mr. Warner, and the Vice 
Chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee, Mr. Campbell, and many of our 
colleagues, a Senate resolution recognizing the historical significance 
of the 100th anniversary of Korean-Americans' immigration to the United 
States in 2003.
  In December of 1902, 56 men, 21 women and 25 children traveled from 
Korea across the Pacific Ocean on the S.S. Gaelic and landed in 
Honolulu, HI, on January 13, 1903, marking the first entry of Korean 
immigrants to the U.S. territories. The year 2003 will be the 100th 
Anniversary of that immigration. With that anniversary looming, 
interest in this historic centennial celebration is growing in Korean 
communities in the United States and worldwide, including events within 
the vibrant Korean-American communities in the Commonwealth of 
Virginia.
  A century is more than a convenient marker for Korean-Americans: It 
celebrates Koreans' prominent place in the broad narrative of America. 
Judging by their achievements over these past 100 years, theirs is an 
American story that confirms the opportunity for individual initiative, 
creativity, hard work and success in these free United States.
  Both individually and as a community, Korean-Americans have much to 
celebrate in 2003. In such diverse areas as commerce and finance, 
technology, medicine, education, and the arts, Korean-American 
contributions are being widely acknowledged and recognized. Even the 
Korean culture, uniquely shaped, inspired, and nurtured by life in 
America, is becoming part of the vernacular. From Hawaii to California 
to New York, and in Annandale in Fairfax County, VA, Korean-American 
communities are vibrant and vital leaders throughout the United States.
  It is worth noting that apart from the many achievements by Korean-
Americans, unique among all immigrant communities in the United States, 
the early Korean-American community was united around the common goal 
of attaining freedom and independence for their colonized mother 
country. Like many immigrant groups, Korean-Americans embraced the 
basic principles of democracy in our Constitution. It is a goal that 
continues to this day, when one considers

[[Page S12264]]

that one out of four Korean-Americans still has relatives and other 
loved ones trapped in North Korea.
  Starting in the early 1950s, thousands of immigrants, fleeing from 
war, poverty and desolation came to the United States seeking 
opportunities. Without knowing the language and without great wealth, 
but with strong family ties, caring community support and many hours of 
hard work, Korean-Americans, like waves of immigrants before them, have 
taken root and thrived in our free American soil.
  Crucial to Korean-Americans' success was their ability to organize 
themselves for mutual support and assistance through associations, 
churches and other organizations. This success has translated itself, 
according to the 2000 U.S. Census, into 135,571 businesses owned and 
operated by Korean-Americans across the country with gross sales and 
receipts of $46 billion. These businesses employ 333,649 men and women 
with an annual payroll of $5.8 billion.
  The contributions to this country by early Korean-Americans include 
the invention of the first beating heart operation for coronary heart 
disease, the development of the nectarine and a four-time Olympic gold 
medallist. In the modern era, there have been notable achievements by 
engineers, architects, doctors, actors, singers, sculptors and 
novelists, among others. With more than 100 communities throughout the 
United States preparing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Korean-
American immigration to the United States, it is appropriate and 
deserving to recognize the historical significance of this milestone.
  It is my hope that this resolution will encourage appreciation, 
pride, and self-awareness among Korean Americans, and I encourage 
schools, organizations, and Federal, State, and local governments to 
plan activities and programs together with the many Korean-American 
organizations that are currently preparing for this wonderful 
anniversary of the living American Dream.
  I respectfully ask for the support of my colleagues on both sides of 
the aisle for this resolution, and urge the Senate to pass this 
historic resolution.

                          ____________________