[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 10 (Thursday, January 12, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H222-H223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   COMMEMORATING KOREAN AMERICAN DAY

  (Mr. GOMEZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GOMEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to commemorate Korean American Day 
tomorrow.
  I am proud to represent Koreatown in Los Angeles, the largest Korean-
American community of any congressional district in the country.
  Tomorrow, we recognize the landmark 120th anniversary of the arrival 
of the first Korean-American immigrants to the United States, and we 
honor the enduring legacy, sacrifices, and contributions made by 
generations of Korean Americans.
  This is why I urge my colleagues to support my resolution to 
recognize the ideals of Korean American Day and essential contributions 
of Korean Americans to American life.
  Madam Speaker, it is a great honor to represent a community whose 
history and culture are so valuable both individually, and as a part of 
our larger, diverse American identity.
  Since coming to Congress, I've made it a priority to ensure the 
Korean American community gets the awareness and support it deserves.
  That is why I've pushed Congress to recognize the sacrifices of 
Korean and Korean American veterans throughout the last century.
  It is why I recently fought to secure $7 million for the creation of 
the Korean American National Museum, the first museum in the nation 
dedicated to honoring over a century of Korean American history and 
culture.
  And it's why I am leading this year's efforts to recognize the 
monumental milestone of 120 years of Korean American culture, and the 
countless contributions Korean Americans have made to our country.
  As I continue to work every day to represent and uplift the Korean 
American community in Los Angeles, I am grateful for the continued 
partnership of Korean American organizations in my district.
  The Korean American Federation of Los Angeles, led by President James 
An, has and will continue to serve as a powerful voice and strong 
advocate for Korean Americans in the Los Angeles area. Their programs 
and services help form the backbone of Koreatown and have helped keep 
the community together and strong, overcoming decades of challenges, 
discrimination and titanic changes in our city.
  The Koreatown Youth and Community Center, led by their Executive 
Director, Johng Ho Song, has spent nearly half a decade serving at risk 
youth in Los Angeles as the leading multiservice organization in 
Koreatown. Their support for Korean American youth and their families, 
especially recent immigrants and the economically disadvantaged is 
essential in ensuring everyone in Koreatown has access to healthcare, 
housing and education.

[[Page H223]]

  These organizations, and many others like them are essential to 
sustaining and strengthening Los Angeles' Korean community and I am 
privileged to work alongside them every day to make sure Koreatown and 
all Korean Americans get the support they deserve from our federal 
government.
  This Korean American Day, I hope all my colleagues, constituents and 
fellow Americans take the time to reflect on and fully honor the 
continuing positive influence and impact the Korean American community 
has on our Country.

                          ____________________