[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 9, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H1201-H1203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING CONTRIBUTIONS OF KOREAN AMERICANS

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1036) recognizing the contributions of Korean 
Americans to the United States.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1036

       Whereas, on January 13, 1903, the arrival of 102 pioneer 
     Korean immigrants to the United States marked the first 
     chapter of Korean immigration in this country;
       Whereas the Korean War began 60 years ago this June and 
     impacted the lives of millions of Koreans;
       Whereas thousands of Koreans, fleeing from war and poverty, 
     came to the United States seeking opportunities;
       Whereas Korean Americans, like thousands of immigrants to 
     the United States before them, have built strong families and 
     contributed to dynamic communities;
       Whereas more than a million people in the United States can 
     trace their roots to Korea;
       Whereas the Centennial Committees of Korean Immigration and 
     Korean Americans have designated January 13 of each year as 
     ``Korean American Day'' to commemorate the first step of the 
     long and prosperous journey of Korean Americans in the United 
     States; and
       Whereas Korean Americans have contributed significantly to 
     the development of the arts, sciences, engineering, medicine, 
     government, military, education, and the economy in the 
     United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives urges all 
     people in the United States to recognize the invaluable 
     contributions Korean Americans have made to this Nation.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Clay) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Garrett) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H. Res. 1036, a resolution that will recognize 
the contributions of Korean Americans to the United States. Korean 
Americans have contributed significantly to the culture, economy, and 
success of the United States. January 13, 2010, marked the 107th 
anniversary of the beginning of Korean immigration into the United 
States. There are now more than a million and a half people of Korean 
descent living in the United States. Korean Americans have helped build 
our communities and our Nation. They have added significantly to the 
development of the arts, sciences, engineering, medicine, government, 
military, education, and the economy of the United States.
  House Resolution 1036 was introduced by the gentleman from New 
Jersey, Representative Scott Garrett, on January 22, 2010. The measure 
was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which 
ordered it reported by unanimous consent on March 4, 2010. The bill 
enjoys bipartisan support from over 50 Members of Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 
1036.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong 
support for H. Res. 1036, recognizing the contribution of Korean 
Americans to the United States.
  It was indeed back on January 13 that we marked the 107th anniversary 
of Korean American Day, for it was on that day, 107 years ago, that a 
boat carrying 102 Korean immigrants arrived in Hawaii. In the years 
since that time, many Koreans have come to the United States for 
opportunity, safety, and other reasons. Like the millions of immigrants 
before them, Korean Americans have made a tremendous contribution to 
the United States. At the beginning, these immigrants were laborers on 
farms, worked in mines, railroads, and such. It was their hard labor 
that literally helped build this country as we have it today. Today, 
there are over a million Korean Americans across this great country.
  This year marks yet another great anniversary for them. The Korean 
War began 60 years ago this June, impacting the lives of millions of 
Koreans and, of course, people in this country as well. By the 1960s, 
Koreans became

[[Page H1202]]

one of the top five immigrant groups to the United States, as many 
Koreans sought hope and freedom and refuge from poverty and violence. 
The consequences of a divided Korean Peninsula affected the world then, 
as it does today. We will continue to work for diplomatic relations to 
resolve this conflict, and a North Korea free from nuclear weapons as 
well.
  These Korean American immigrants have made untold contributions to 
American society. They have raised strong and good families and built 
successful businesses, dynamic communities, active civic associations, 
churches and charities. Thousands of Korean Americans currently serve 
in our Armed Forces; and many of them deployed overseas today, in 
harm's way, are keeping our Nation safe from terrorism and other risks.

                              {time}  1630

  Whether it's in military or in education, in science, in business or 
in the arts, Korean Americans have played and continue today to play a 
vital role in shaping communities throughout this country. So, Mr. 
Speaker, I come pleased to present this opportunity to recognize the 
contributions that Korean Americans have made to our Nation and urge 
all of us here on the floor and my colleagues across this House to 
support H. Res. 1036.
  I would like to say thank you to the gentleman from the other side of 
the aisle for the past resolutions and this one as well.
  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to express my 
strong support of H. Res. 1036, offered by my colleague from New 
Jersey, Mr. Garrett, which recognizes the contributions of Korean-
Americans in the United States.
  I have always believed that the Republic of Korea is one of America's 
most committed friends and allies, and the warmth and hospitality 
extended to me and my wife during our visit there last Spring 
reinforced my belief that the bonds that bind the people of the United 
States together with the people of South Korea are as strong today as 
they have ever been. Furthermore, I stand in fervent support of the 
more than 22 million citizens of North Korea who have suffered 
political oppression and severe human rights abuses for far too long 
under the dictatorship of Kim Jong-il and his father Kim it-Sung.
  The United States and the Republic of Korea first became partners 
more than 125 years ago, when we signed a treaty of amity and commerce 
in 1882. This partnership grew stronger on the battlefield during the 
Korean War. The South Koreans fought bravely alongside Americans to 
stay free from the chains of tyranny and communism and have remained a 
beacon of light and democracy ever since. When countless Koreans were 
faced with war and poverty, they chose to come to the United States 
seeking better opportunities.
  I believe that one of the reasons this bond has endured for over a 
century and remained so strong is because of the more than a million 
and a half people currently living in the United States of Korean 
descent. As noted in the resolution, these Korean-Americans, like 
countless others before them, have provided to their American 
communities by building strong families and becoming valuable members, 
greatly contributing to the arts, sciences, engineering, medicine, 
government, military, education and the economy in the United States. 
In addition to these contributions, these Korean-Americans continue to 
serve as a reminder of our long history together.
  Furthermore, as this matter is of great importance to Korean-
Americans, I would like to take this time to draw attention to the 
Administration's delay in pushing through various free trade 
agreements, especially the agreement that is pending with South Korea, 
which is the biggest U.S. trade pact since the 1994 North American Free 
Trade Agreement. I urge this Administration to implement this agreement 
without any further delay as it is of vital interest to all and will 
have enormous economic and trade benefits for both the United States 
and South Korea.
  Once again, in accordance with this resolution, and as Co-Chair of 
the Congressional Caucus on Korea, I would like to both acknowledge and 
express my gratitude for these important contributions to our society 
and to this Nation. I look forward to the continued positive role of 
Korean-Americans in communities all across America, and I look forward 
to the quick implementation of the free trade agreement with South 
Korea.
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to add my voice of strong 
support for H. Res. 1036, introduced by Representative Scott Garrett 
from New Jersey, which recognizes the invaluable contributions of 
Korean Americans to the United States of America.
  Korean Americans have a long and proud history of serving their 
country in numerous ways. Military service, teaching our students, 
serving at high level posts in our current Administration, running Ivy 
League institutions, and providing quality medical care are just a few 
examples of how Korean Americans contribute to our society. They have 
added to the fabric of our culture and education with contributions in 
the fields of medicine, economy, business, architecture, and the arts.
  Mr. Speaker, the history of Korean Americans in the U.S. traces back 
to January 13, 1903 when a group of 102 Korean men, women and children 
immigrants arrived in Hawaii after a long journey across the Pacific. 
The Centennial Committees of Korean Immigration and Korean Americans 
have designated January 13 of each year as `Korean American Day' to 
commemorate the first step of the long and prosperous journey of Korean 
Americans in the United States. In 2005, Congress formally designated 
this date as Korean American Day. This special day recognizes their 
American journey to this country as well as their entrepreneurial 
contributions to American society, culture, and economy.
  Today, there are over one million Americans of Korean descent, making 
it the fifth largest Asian American subgroup. According to the 2006-
2008 American Community Survey, California's fifteenth district, which 
I represent, is home to nearly 15,000 persons of Korean and Korean 
American background. Korean Americans are proudly serving the American 
people in the current Obama Administration, as well as excelling in 
professional sports such as golf and football.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States and Korean peninsula share strong 
diplomatic and economic ties, dating back to the 1953 Korean War that 
unfortunately split apart a people with a rich history, culture, and 
religion. South Korea has blossomed into a beacon of democracy and 
free-market economy and continues to be one of America's unwavering 
friends in an increasingly critical region of the world.
  Once again, Mr. Speaker, I applaud the introduction of H. Res.1036 
and urge colleagues to support this resolution so that we may recognize 
the contributions of Korean Americans.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1036, 
recognizing the contributions of Korean Americans to the United States.
  There are more than 1 million Korean-Americans living in the United 
States. From the first hundred who immigrated to the United States in 
the early 20th century, Koreans have become an integral part of our 
country. Today, one out of every eight Korean-Americans owns his or her 
own business.
  In my own district, I have had the opportunity to work hand in hand 
with the Korean community and I have seen their commitment in upholding 
their own rich heritage. The United States, and California in 
particular, have been enriched and defined by the contributions of 
Korean-Americans in a wide variety of fields.
  Korean-Americans have invigorated businesses, civic institutions, and 
academic communities across the country. Korean-owned businesses employ 
more than 333,000 men and women, generating sales and receipts of over 
$46 billion. This resolution gives Congress the chance to recognize the 
importance Korean-Americans play in our communities.
  Abroad, our relationship with South Korea has steadily grown and is 
now better than ever. Our trade relations are strong, and stand to be 
only further strengthened by the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, a 
deal that stands to grow both of our economies. In the previous 
Congress, I was proud to have authored legislation that granted Korea 
NATO +3 status in terms of military sales. These measures are 
important, but the strongest bridge between our two societies remains 
the Korean-American community, which continues to flourish.
  In closing, I want to remind my colleagues that it is all too easy to 
overlook the invaluable contributions that Korean-Americans have made, 
not just in my home state of California, but to our Nation as a whole. 
This resolution provides well-deserved recognition to the Korean-
American community for the indelible mark they have made upon the 
diversity and prominence of our great Nation.
  Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, again, I encourage my friends from both sides 
of the aisle to join me in supporting House Resolution 1036.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1036.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.

[[Page H1203]]

  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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