[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E91]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNITION OF KOREAN-AMERICAN DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT GARRETT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 14, 2009

  Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition 
of Korean-American Day, which was celebrated yesterday. Korean 
Americans have played an essential part in shaping our country into its 
current form. Ever since the signing of the first treaty between the 
United States and Korea, the Jemulpo Treaty in 1882, our two countries 
have engaged in an important relationship. In addition, Korean 
Americans have helped shape the United States into a powerful and 
influential Nation.
  The history of Koreans in America is a proud one. When Koreans first 
started immigrating to the United States, they worked in places such as 
farms and railroads. These were hard workers who came to this country 
to seek new opportunities and a better life for their children. At that 
time, they could not have imagined the amount of success Korean 
Americans would enjoy over time--nor how large their community would 
become. After years of steady immigration, which blossomed in the 
1960's, Korean Americans became one of the top 5 immigrant groups to 
the United States. Today, there are about 1.5 million Korean Americans 
living across the country.
  In the past Congress, we passed several pieces of legislation to 
strengthen the U.S.-Korean relationship. The first was H.R. 5443, the 
U.S.-Republic of Korea Defense Cooperation Improvement Act, which 
granted South Korea the same preferential treatment enjoyed by members 
of NATO. Another important bill passed in the 110th Congress was H. 
Res. 295. This legislation expressed appreciation to the Republic of 
Korea for its contributions to international efforts to combat 
terrorism. A final, integral bill was H.R. 1, which supported efforts 
to include South Korea in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program.
  As we move forward in the 111th Congress, I trust that we will keep 
the Korean-American community in mind. Korean Americans play an 
important role in shaping American culture and Korean-American Day is a 
celebration that I am proud to recognize.

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