[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 124 (Thursday, September 26, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1672-E1673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF 100 YEARS OF KOREAN IMMIGRATION 
                            TO UNITED STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 24, 2002

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, as a co-sponsor of this resolution, I am 
pleased to see it being considered by the House today and I urge my 
colleagues to support this bill.
  In 2003, communities throughout the United States will celebrate the 
100th anniversary of Korean immigration to the United States. Many 
Korean immigrants came to the United States in the early 1950's, 
fleeing from war, poverty and the threat of communism. As the hope to 
return to a united and democratic Korea diminished, Korean immigrants 
were left

[[Page E1673]]

to build new communities and opportunities for themselves in the United 
States.
  It was through sheer determination and hard work that many Korean 
Americans have been able to thrive in America, invigorating businesses, 
churches and academic communities throughout the United States. 
According to the United States Census, Korean Americans own and operate 
135,571 businesses across the nation that have gross sales of 
$46,000,000,000 annually and employ 333,649 individuals.
  Korean Americans have also left an indelible mark in our communities 
and government. Korean American community activists such as Angela Oh 
and Bong Hwan Kim worked tirelessly to bridge the racial tensions 
during the Los Angeles riots of 1992.
  The Korean-American population of the U.S. has greatly added to the 
rich fabric of our Nation. I want to take this opportunity to commend 
Korean Americans for their historical and cultural contributions to 
this Nation, and again urge a YES vote on this resolution.

                          ____________________