[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 139 (Tuesday, October 8, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING AUGUST 2013 AS THE 110TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST KOREAN 
                     IMMIGRANTS ARRIVING IN AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 8, 2013

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join with Korean-American 
immigrants in my district and through the nation in celebrating August 
as the 110th anniversary of the first Korean immigrants arriving here 
in the United States. The Institute for Corean-American Studies (ICAS) 
is hosting its summer symposium on this very topic: The Korean 
Diaspora: Challenges facing the Korean-American Community.
   The first Korean immigrants--102 men, women, and children--arrived 
in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1903 to work as laborers on sugar plantations. 
Since then, Korean Americans have settled across America, which is now 
home to the second largest Korean population outside of Korea itself. 
More than 80,000 Korean-Americans live in the National Capital Region, 
making this the third largest Korean community in the United States. In 
the 11th Congressional District of Virginia, which I represent, is home 
to a thriving Korean-American community. Asian-Americans comprise the 
largest ethnic group in our District, which is more than 40% minority 
and in which more than 1-in-4 is foreign born.
   Earlier this spring, I was pleased to join my colleagues in 
welcoming President Park Geun-hye of the Republic of Korea, who 
addressed a joint session of Congress. She spoke eloquently about her 
long-term hope for restoring trust across the Korean peninsula and 
fostering a shared sense of economic vitality across Asia. As a co-
chair of the Congressional Korea Caucus, I and my colleagues are 
committed to preserving and further growing the strong relationship we 
have enjoyed with South Korea for the past 60 years.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 
countless contributions of Korean-Americans and in commemorating the 
110th anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants here in 
America. I wish ICAS success with its upcoming symposium.

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