[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 7 (Thursday, January 21, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E72]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        KOREAN AMERICAN DAY 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 21, 2010

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, last week, on January 13, we marked 
the 107th anniversary of the first Korean immigrants to the United 
States. From those few Korean individuals who came in 1903 to Hawai'i, 
then a U.S. territory, the Korean American community has grown to 
nearly two million people.
  For the first few decades of the 20th century, Korean immigration was 
impeded by U.S. law. Regrettably, until the 1960s, U.S. law refused to 
admit immigrants from East Asia. Fortunately, as attitudes about race 
and ethnicity changed and matured in the wake of the civil rights 
movement, these shameful barriers were removed. America became a land 
of opportunity not just for Europeans seeking refuge and comfort, but 
for people from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as well.
  Korean Americans have contributed immeasurably to our society and 
culture. They have raised families and built successful businesses, 
strong neighborhoods, active civic associations, churches, and 
charities. Korean Americans have served in the armed forces, been 
elected to public office, and been appointed to positions of authority 
in President Obama's administration.
  In my capacity as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, 
and the Global Environment, I have paid close attention to issues of 
concern to the Korean American community. With many Korean Americans 
still having family ties to the Korean Peninsula, they care deeply 
about the continuing resilience of the U.S.-Korea alliance. When I 
served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam in the 1960s, I met many Korean 
soldiers who fought side by side with Americans, just as Americans had 
fought side-by-side with Koreans in the Korean War a decade and a half 
earlier.
  The close alliance between the United States and the Republic of 
Korea has included South Korea's important contributions to fighting 
terrorism around the world and promoting democracy and liberal values. 
The Republic of Korea has remained a steadfast ally of the United 
States and ought be considered America's greatest foreign policy 
success in the post-World War II era.
  It is worth noting today that, later this year, we will be 
commemorating the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War. 
Veterans of that conflict, both Korean and American, have strong 
feelings about the U.S.-Korea alliance. I have attended many ceremonies 
at which Korean War veterans pay tribute to their fallen comrades and 
share their memories of the battlefield. Many of them have returned to 
Korea in peacetime to visit the friends they made and--in some cases--
the families of their spouses.
  Korean War veterans and members of the Korean American community are 
significant stakeholders in the maturation of the U.S.-Korea alliance, 
whether that means a security alliance in our mutual effort to 
denuclearize North Korea, whether it means growth in the number of 
Korean students who attend American colleges and universities, or 
whether it means broader and deeper business and trade ties.
  The U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), which was signed in 
June 2007 and awaits ratification and implementation, will bring 
substantial benefits to both of our countries. The U.S. International 
Trade Commission has forecast that the elimination of tariffs on U.S. 
goods under the KORUS FTA would increase the GDP of the United States 
by over $10 billion annually. The agreement will also eliminate 
regulatory and other non-tariff barriers that have historically 
restricted access by American farmers, manufacturers, and service 
providers to the South Korean market.
  Korea's economy is beginning to recover from the worldwide recession, 
with a special emphasis on creating ``green jobs'' and encouraging 
growth in 21st century industries that look to the future. At the same 
time, Korea remains a major market for American goods and services, for 
agricultural products, raw materials, and finished goods.
  With growing uncertainty about our economy, it is critically 
important that we make every effort to spur U.S. economic growth and 
create new American jobs through securing access to markets in which 
U.S. farmers and businesses can compete and succeed. The KORUS FTA 
stands to further increase U.S. exports to Korea and will generate new 
jobs for Americans. This agreement will be a triple-win--a win for 
workers, a win for businesses, and a win for consumers.
  Beyond trade, the United States and Korea share similar values and 
goals. Both countries are democratic republics, both desire peace on 
the Korean Peninsula and work to assure that nuclear weapons do not 
proliferate in Northeast Asia, and both want to see economic growth and 
opportunity throughout the world.
  It is in this context that Korea will host and chair a meeting of the 
G-20 in November 2010. It is a remarkable achievement and one that is 
emblematic of how far Korea has come considering that 60 years ago, it 
was a war torn nation. I am confident that Korea will set an ambitious 
agenda for the G-20 to include how nations can turn to ``Low Carbon, 
Green Growth'' sectors to spur economic growth in the aftermath of the 
global financial crisis.
  Last August, I had the privilege of visiting Korea to receive an 
Honorary Doctorate from Chonbuk National University. I had numerous 
opportunities to engage in meaningful dialogue with our Korean friends 
on a host of issues. But above all, I was struck by the kind generosity 
and hospitality of the Korean people. The same has always been true of 
our Korean American friends as well.
  Madam Speaker, this is why it is my honor to recognize January 13 as 
Korean American Day pursuant to House Resolution 487, which was passed 
in 2005 and introduced by my good friend Representative Tom Davis of 
Virginia. I urge my colleagues to offer their own expressions of 
support in recognizing the Korean American community and their 
achievements and the importance of a comprehensive U.S.-Korea alliance 
in diplomacy, business, and culture.

                          ____________________