[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 52 (Thursday, March 29, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF DR. BYUNG WOOK YOON AND NATIONAL KOREAN AMERICAN DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MAXINE WATERS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2012

  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Korean American 
Day, I would like to recognize the 109th anniversary of the first 
Korean immigrants to arrive in the United States and the achievements 
of the Korean-American responsible for bringing both this day and the 
importance of the contributions of Korean-Americans to light, Dr. Byung 
Wook Yoon.
  In 2003, Dr. Yoon, then President of the Southern California 
Centennial Committee of Korean Immigration to the United States, began 
the campaign to establish a national Korean American Day. In 2004, when 
Dr. Yoon became president of the Korean-American Foundation, he formed 
the National Committee of Korean American Day. Under his leadership in 
2005, the committee claimed victory when the U.S. Senate (S. 283) and 
U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 487) passed resolutions supporting 
the goals and ideals of Korean American Day and establishing an annual 
celebration recognizing the many contributions of Americans of Korean 
descent to the life and cultural fabric of the United States.
  Aside from spearheading the campaign to establish Korean American 
Day, Dr. Yoon has accomplished a great deal in his lifetime. He is the 
recipient of the Presidential Award from the Republic of Korea, the 
Grand Award for World Korean Day from the World Korean Interchange and 
Cooperation Association, and the Grand Award for Korean American Day 
from the Korean-American Foundation. Dr. Yoon was also selected as one 
of the one hundred honorable Korean immigrants to the United States by 
the Korean-American History Museum.
  All his life, Dr. Yoon has demonstrated his leadership and dedication 
to the Korean-American community through his support of non-profit and 
service organizations. For example, he is responsible for community 
oriented service projects such as Korean-American Respect for the 
Environment, KARE, and has served as the Honorary National Chairman of 
the Korean-American Foundation USA. He has also served three times as 
Chairman of the Korean Institute of Southern California.
  On behalf of all of my colleagues within the U.S. House of 
Representatives I would like to honor Dr. Byung Wook Yoon for his 
outstanding work in raising awareness to the many contributions Korean-
Americans have made in every facet of American society. In honor of Dr. 
Yoon's work, I introduced H.Res. 599. The resolution honors him for his 
outstanding service on behalf of the Korean American community. The 
resolution reads:

       Whereas on January 13, 2012, the Korean American community 
     in the United States celebrated Korean American Day initiated 
     by Dr. Yoon.
       Whereas this year marks the 109th anniversary of the first 
     Korean immigrants to arrive in the United States.
       Whereas in 2003, Dr. Yoon, then President of the 
     Southern California Centennial Committee of Korean 
     Immigration to the United States, began the campaign to 
     establish a national Korean American Day.
       Whereas in 2003, the Korean American Foundation was founded 
     as the successor of the Centennial Committee of Korean 
     Immigration with the goals of fostering pride in Korean 
     cultural heritage and traditions as well as establishing 
     Korean American Day.
       Whereas in 2004, Dr. Yoon became president of the Korean 
     American Foundation, forming the National Committee of Korean 
     American Day, successfully campaigning for the passage of 
     legislation recognizing Korean American Day on the Federal, 
     State, and local levels.
       Whereas on October 20, 2005, the U.S. Senate passed S. Res. 
     283, ``Recognizing the contributions of Korean Americans to 
     the United States and encouraging the celebration of Korean 
     American Day'.'
       Whereas on December 13, 2005, the U.S. House of 
     Representatives passed H. Res. 487 ``Supporting the goals and 
     ideals of Korean American Day'', recognizing the many 
     contributions of Americans of Korean descent to the life and 
     cultural fabric of the United States.
       Whereas Dr. Yoon is the recipient of the Presidential Award 
     from the Republic of Korea.
       Whereas Dr. Yoon received the first Grand Award for World 
     Korean Day from the World Korean Interchange and Cooperation 
     Association.
       Whereas Dr. Yoon was honored with the first Grand Award for 
     Korean American Day from the Korean American Foundation.
       Whereas Dr. Yoon was selected as one of a group of 100 
     honorable Korean immigrants to the United States by the 
     Korean American History Museum.
       Whereas Dr. Yoon obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political 
     and Diplomacy Science from Korea University and a Master of 
     Arts in Journalism and Communication from Brigham Young 
     University.
       Whereas Dr. Yoon received honorary doctorates from Yuin 
     University and the World Mission University.
       Whereas Dr. Yoon's professional career has included serving 
     as a correspondent to the United States for the Seoul 
     Kyunghyang Daily Newspaper as well as a Founding Director of 
     Business and Trade for Wilshire State Bank in Los Angeles, 
     California, and has also served three times as Chairman of 
     the Korean Institute of Southern California.
       Whereas Dr. Yoon authored the ``Korean American Legacies: 
     Challenges and Responses'', a source of inspiration for 
     current and future generations of Korean Americans.
       Whereas over many years, Dr. Yoon has demonstrated his 
     leadership and dedication to the Korean American community 
     through his work and support of numerous nonprofit and 
     service organizations, including creating KARE (Korean 
     American Respect for the Environment), and serving as the 
     Honorary National Chairman of the Korean American Foundation 
     USA.
       Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the House of 
     Representatives honors Byung Wook Yoon for his outstanding 
     work raising awareness and recognition of the contributions 
     Korean Americans have made in every facet of United States 
     society.

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