[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 21] [House] [Pages 27994-27998] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF KOREAN AMERICAN DAY Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 487) supporting the goals and ideals of Korean American Day. The Clerk read as follows: H. Res. 487 Whereas the influence of Korean Americans may be observed in all facets of American life, including entrepreneurship, the arts, and education; Whereas on January 13, 1903, 102 pioneer Korean immigrants arrived in the United States initiating the first chapter of Korean immigration to America; Whereas the centennial year of 2003 marked an important milestone in the history of Korean immigration; Whereas Korean Americans, like other groups of immigrants that came to the United States before them, have settled and thrived in the United States through strong family ties, community support, and hard work; Whereas Korean Americans have made significant contributions to the economic vitality of the United States and the global marketplace; Whereas Korean Americans have invigorated businesses, churches, and academic communities in the United States; Whereas Korean Americans have made enormous contributions to the military strength of the United States; Whereas today, at least 4,000 Korean Americans serve in the Armed Forces of the United States, with approximately 25 percent of them currently serving in Iraq; and 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: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) supports the goals and ideals of a Korean American Day; (2) urges all Americans to observe Korean American Day so as to have a greater appreciation of the invaluable contributions Korean Americans have made to United States; and (3) honors and recognizes the 103rd anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah. General Leave Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 487. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Utah? There was no objection. Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 487, which supports the goals and ideals of a Korean American Day and recognizes the 103rd anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States. Korean Americans have played an important part in American society since January 13, 1903, when over 100 pioneer Korean immigrants arrived in America. {time} 1415 I am proud to say this last century is chock-full of significant, creative Korean-American accomplishments from Jam Kim, the first Korean-American to serve in the United States House of Representatives, to Eugene Chung, first Korean-American to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft. To commemorate this remarkable period, the Centennial Committees of Korean Immigration and Korean-Americans designated January 13 of each year as Korean-American Day. The Korean-American community has created a successful community at large and has established a deep sense of culture and heritage for the upcoming generations. It has become a centralizing force that promotes progress and unity of Korean-Americans, as well as preserves their close historical ties with Korean-American ancestors. [[Page 27995]] Korean-Americans have played an integral part in helping the United States grow our principles of strong family ties, support for our community as well as aspiring for success. With their contributions to the economic vitality of the U.S. global marketplace, they have also rejuvenated businesses, churches and academic communities in the United States. The Korean-American population has made enormous contributions to all facets of American life, including to the United States military. At least 4,000 Korean-Americans serve in the U.S. Armed Forces with approximately 25 percent serving in Iraq currently. In addition, Korean-Americans score among the top tier in academic tests and scholastic accomplishments. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I am hopeful that H. Res. 487 will serve to bring the well-deserved recognition to a community that has given so much in leadership and heritage to our Nation. I would like to thank Chairman Tom Davis for introducing this important resolution and urge my colleagues to join me in its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, Korea and the United States entered into their first treaty, the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce, in 1882. The signing of the treaty ushered in a sustained period of cooperation between the two Nations. Not long after the treaty was signed, Korean citizens began immigrating to the United States and, since that time, have made rich contributions to the ethnic and cultural fabric of America. Korean emigration to the United States can be divided into three major waves. The first, from 1903 to 1905, consisted of about 7,500 Koreans, mostly men, who left their homes to work on Hawaii's sugar plantations as contract laborers. The second, beginning in 1950, consisted of women who married American soldiers and children adopted into American families. The third wave began in 1967 with the occupational and family reunification preferences of the 1965 Immigration Act. These waves of immigration followed growing U.S. involvement in Korea during the 20th century. Immigrants from Korea thrived in the United States despite social, economic and language barriers. Korean-Americans have made contributions in the fields of finance, technology, law, medicine, the military, as well as in other areas. Four thousand Korean-Americans serve proudly in the United States Armed Forces, many of them in Iraq. The United States has remained firmly committed to its allies in Korea, as shown not only by military support during the Korean conflict, but through the support of the Korean community in the United States. In June 2002, the United States Senate passed a historic resolution that recognized the 100th anniversary of Korean immigration to the United States. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in the commemoration of Korean-American Day. This resolution celebrates the success of the Korean-American community, the contributions Korean immigrants have made and the contributions they continue to make to America. Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that I have any additional requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague and friend from the Commonwealth of Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis). Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, it is with extreme pleasure today that I rise in support of H. Res. 487. This resolution supports the goals and ideals of Korean-American Day and honors the many important contributions Korean-Americans have made to the United States. January 13, 1903, marked the arrival of the first 102 Korean immigrants to America. For more than 100 years, Korean-Americans, like the immigrants from other Nations who came to the United States before them, have established roots and thrived in the United States through strong family ties, community support and hard work. The influence of Korean-Americans has been observed in all facets of American life, including, but not limited to, entrepreneurship, the arts and education. Since my first term in Congress, I have had the pleasure of working hand-in-hand with a large Korean-American community in Northern Virginia. Through this warm and prosperous relationship, I have only become more impressed with a people whose heritage displays such a strong sense of determination, discipline and compassion. I am very proud of how rapidly the Korean-American community has spread its roots in Northern Virginia and am extremely appreciative of their numerous contributions to our community. From Annandale to Fairfax to Prince William County, Korean-American- owned shops and businesses dominate the retail landscape. Their children are succeeding in our schools and going on to start their own businesses and bring up their families, making our community better and more prosperous by far. I traveled and led a congressional delegation to the Republic of Korea in August of 2004 to discuss the prosperous relationship between our two countries. The Republic of Korea is an important ally and trading partner of the United States, and this is why many Korean immigrants have chosen to make the U.S. their home. It is the United States' seventh largest trading partner and is the third largest source of foreign students studying in the United States. In addition, the U.S. embassy in Seoul is the busiest American consular post in the world. I have been working diligently with the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security to help create a roadmap which will eventually admit Korea into the Visa Waiver Program. 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 Northern Virginia but to our Nation as a whole. This bill 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. I also want to thank the distinguished representative from Utah for handling this bill on the floor, thanks to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), who has been a leader in these efforts, and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Capuano) for their work as original sponsors on this resolution, and I urge all of my colleagues to support it. Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), my friend and colleague. Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Utah for the time, and I rise also in support of this resolution supporting the goals and supporting the ideals of Korean-American Day, and as mentioned by Chairman Davis, I am an original cosponsor of the bill. The Republic of Korea has been an ally and a friend of the United States now for many decades, and over this time, South Korea has emerged as a major economic partner for the United States. Korea is the U.S.'s seventh largest trading partner. That is ahead of Western European countries such as France and Italy, and frankly, it is our sixth largest export market. The U.S. is Korea's largest export market, its second largest source of imports and the largest supplier of foreign direct investment into South Korea. South Korea is also a very key ally of the United States, and as chairman of the U.S.-Republic of Korea Interparliamentary Exchange, I can report that many in this body recognize the importance of this resolution. I frequently travel to South Korea on the mission of building this relationship. It is vital that the two countries work closely together to address the difficult security challenges in northeast Asia. There are now more than 1 million Korean-Americans living in the United States. A large body of Korean-Americans are in southern California. From the first 100 who immigrated to the [[Page 27996]] United States in the early 20th century, Koreans have become an integral part of our country. Today, one out of every eight Korean- Americans is an entrepreneur, owning his or her own business. In my own district, I am continually impressed with the Korean community and their commitment in upholding their own rich heritage and their commitment to education. 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 and civic institutions, certainly academic communities and science across the country. Korean- owned businesses employ more than a third of the million men and women, generating sales and receipts of around $50 billion a year. This legislation gives Congress the chance to recognize the importance Korean-Americans play in our community by establishing Korean-American Day. Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield so much time as he may consume, given the constraint that we may have, to the gentleman from the Commonwealth of Virginia (Mr. Moran). Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from Utah for yielding me the time, and I will not take much of it, but I would like to underscore what has already been said. We have a very close, almost unique relationship with the people of Korea. Thousands of our young men and women died to enable the South Koreans to live in democracy. They have taken advantage of that opportunity and have been a model for the rest of the world in terms of free enterprise and an active democratic system. Hopefully, the people of North Korea will one day understand that South Korea's gone in the right direction, and North Korea's gone in the wrong direction. In addition to that strong relationship, Korean-Americans have contributed to this country in a way that is paralleled by very few other nationalities. They have contributed in ways to our economy and our society that are incalculable and that are worthy of great appreciation. Their work ethic, their strong values have done so much for the business community and, really, for the stability of our society. Mr. Speaker, I would like to suggest that one way that we might substantively express our appreciation for what Korean-Americans have done for this country's economy and society is to pass the Visa Waiver bill. I am a sponsor of this, and what it would do is to grant the same kind of opportunities for Koreans to come from South Korea and to visit their relatives as are granted to 27 other countries, including all of our European allies and many of our Asian allies; Bosnia and Japan, for example. Yet today, there are thousands of South Korean families waiting in line, trying to get a visa to visit their own families here in the United States of America. They are not able to because they are not afforded the same visa waiver that our other allies are. In fact, they are really the only strong ally that is not granted that privilege. I think we should grant that privilege, and I think that would be a further expression of the very strong and genuine sentiments that are expressed in this resolution. I obviously strongly support this resolution, and I appreciate the opportunity to say so on the floor. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friends, the gentleman from Utah, and the gentleman from Illinois for offering it and certainly my good friend and colleague from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis). Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to again thank both the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for their work on this bill and bringing it forward, and I want to urge all Members to support the adoption of H. Res. 487. Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, aloha and annyong ha shimnikka! I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 487, which supports the goals and ideals of Korean American Day and, in doing so, recognizes the rich history of Korean immigration to our country dating back well over a century now and the broad and deep contributions of Korean Americans to all facets of our diverse American life. The history of our country's Korean American community is commonly traced to January 13, 1903, when the SS Gaelic arrived in Honolulu Harbor carrying our first immigrants from Korea. The 56 men, 21 women, and 25 children who stepped onto my Hawaii's shores that day marked the beginning of the remarkable Korean cultural thread that has woven itself so deeply and uniquely into our American tapestry. Today, 1.2 million Americans of Korean ancestry live throughout our Nation, with 41,000 in Hawaii alone. Korean American contributions in our Hawaii, built on the foundation of dedication and sacrifice by their predecessors, have been notable in a plethora of fields, ranging from government, law, finance, technology, medicine, and business, to arts, sports, education, and military service. As just some examples, Chief Justice Ronald Moon of the Hawaii Supreme Court is the first Korean American in our country to serve on a state supreme court. Others are recipients of the Hawaii Korean American Foundation's 2005 Light of the Orient Award: Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim, Honolulu City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi, community advocates Agnes Rho Chun, Reverend Tongjin Samuel Lee, Frank Min, Evelyn Choi Shon, and Duk Hee Lee Murabayashi. And, of course, our most well-known American of Korean ancestry is professional golfer Michelle Wie. But what proud father would not take the opportunity as well to highlight his own two favorite Korean Americans: James Kahele Case and David Espenett Case. My sons carry a quarter Korean ethnicity gifted them by their grandmother, Grace Moon, who emigrated to Hawaii from Korea shortly after the Korean War, and so join this great community in the responsibility of bringing forward this great heritage, American style, into the coming generations. In closing, I thank Congressmen Tom Davis, Charles Rangel, Michael Capuano, and Ed Royce, the chief sponsors of this measure, for providing us all with this opportunity to recognize the many contributions of Korean Americans, past, present and future. Kamsamnida to them, and to all Korean Americans, wherever you might be. Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 487, which recognizes the goals and ideals of a Korean American Day and which honors the contributions that Korean Americans have made in the United States. On January 13, 1903, 102 Korean immigrants arrived in the United States. They arrived on the SS Gaelic in Honolulu in the U.S. Territory of Hawaii where they established residence and labored on Hawaiian sugar plantations. These immigrants pioneered the migration of Koreans to America. Today this movement continues and remains strong. The island of Guam is home to many Korean immigrants and Korean Americans alike. In the 1960s, President John F. Kennedy lifted the United States security clearance requirement for travel to and from Guam. This was an important-step with respect to the future growth and development of Guam's economy and trade with Asian nations. The removal of the security clearance requirement was followed by an influx of new immigrants to Guam, the westernmost territory of the United States. Koreans began to establish communities on Guam as early as in the 1970s, and in 1980s many new Korean families arrived on island to establish a beginning in America. Many Korean immigrants opened new businesses and several have risen to assume important leadership roles in advocating for the small business community. The contributions of Korean Americans are not only found in Guam, but in every community across the United States. Korean Americans are key contributors in the economic, medical, academic and religious fields. Notably, at least 4,000 Korean Americans are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, with 25 percent serving in Iraq. Whether they are serving as leaders in their communities or fighting alongside their fellow Americans in defense of our country, Korean Americans have demonstrated their significant presence in and contributions to the United States. I wish to express my heartfelt support in recognizing the 103rd anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States. On this occasion, I also take the opportunity to recognize the growth and contributions of the Korean Association of Guam. The Korean Association of Guam was established to advance the professional and civic interests of Korean Americans in Guam. Today, the Association serves as an important welcoming support group for new immigrants from Korea. Through the continued efforts and [[Page 27997]] contributions of Korean Americans, our nation's ties with Korea will be strengthened in the years to come. I urge passage of House Resolution 487 in honor of the story and contributions of Korean Americans. Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for H. Res. 487, supporting the goals and ideals for Korean American Day. On January 13th, we will celebrate the 103rd Anniversary of Korean American Day. It was on that day, 103 years ago, that a boat carrying 102 Korean immigrants arrived in Hawaii. According to the 2000 census, there are now more than 1 million Korean Americans. Over that time, Korean Americans have made an untold number of contributions to American society. Whether in education, science, business, or the arts, Korean Americans have played and continue to play a vital role in shaping communities throughout New Jersey and the entire country. For instance, there are over 4,000 Korean Americans currently serving in our Armed Forces and a large number of them are deployed overseas keeping our nation safe from terrorism. Furthermore, Korean Americans own more than 135,500 businesses across the U.S., employing nearly 334,000 individuals and generating gross receipts and sales of $46 billion. Many of to day's Korean Americans came to this nation in the 1950s fleeing the war and poverty that followed the invasion of South Korea by North Korea. Today, that region continues to face threats to its overall security. I promise to continue to work with my colleagues and Korean officials to find a long term solution to the nuclear crisis on the Korean peninsula. Ensuring safety in the region and seeking a diplomatic resolution to the conflict are two of my top priorities. Korean American Day is an excellent opportunity for Americans to remember the many contributions that Korean Americans have made to our society and I urge all of my colleagues to support H. Res. 487, supporting the goals and ideals of Korean American Day. Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 487, which supports the goals and ideals of Korean American Day. I would like to recognize my colleagues Representatives Davis, Rangel, Capuano and Royce for their leadership on this bill. As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), I am proud to stand here to honor the accomplishments and contributions of the Korean American community. On January 13, 1903, the first wave of Korean immigrants arrived in Hawaii. Like all immigrants, they arrived in this country with hope that they would find opportunities and a better life for themselves and their children. After World War II and the Korean War, two separate streams of Korean immigration took place. The first included those searching for political and educational freedom from the war. The larger stream occurred after the 1965 Immigration Act, which abolished the ``national origins'' quota system and allowed for family reunification provisions. After being hardened through years of war in Korea, these immigrants felt determined to build better lives and thrive in the United States. For Korean immigrants, the American dream of building a better future for their families is alive and well. Korean Americans make this dream a reality through a focus on entrepreneurship. Korean American entrepreneurs have successfully developed businesses in all parts of our cities and suburbs. The path to the American dream has not been easy for Korean Americans. The community has faced language and cultural barriers, discrimination and racism. Despite these obstacles, the Korean American community--like so many other immigrants who arrive in this country-- are helping to make and keep America strong. The Korean American community has made lasting contributions to our society through a variety of professions including business, education, and the military. They have made significant contributions in medicine and the sciences such as the South Korean researcher Hwang Woo-Suk, a national hero in Korea for back-to-back world firsts in embryonic stem cell (ESC) research. Additionally, the Korean American community provides a bridge for the U.S. in building a stronger relationship with Korea. As a nation, we are benefiting from the knowledge and talent from their contributions. Today, there are over 2 million Korean Americans living in the United States and Korean immigration remains an important part of our nation's history. The contributions through their culture, talents and knowledge continue to add to the diversity of this great nation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important piece of legislation. Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support and as a cosponsor of H. Res. 487, supporting the goals and ideals of Korean American Day. This resolution marks the upcoming 103rd anniversary, on January 13, 2006, of the day that the first Korean immigrants arrived in the United States. Today we acknowledge and celebrate the economic, academic and cultural contributions made by the immigrant Korean community to the United States. Korean Americans have made a significant and positive impact in this country, in the proud tradition of immigrants that for generations have traveled to come to the United States. I am pleased to work with various Korean American groups in my State of Maryland that have helped new immigrants gain access to social services, health care, and continuing education programs that allow them to prosper in America. I am also pleased that many groups are working to assist qualified legal permanent residents to become U.S. citizens and to participate in local, State, and national elections. I call on my colleagues to recognize the contributions made by Korean Americans and to support this resolution. Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 487, supporting the goals and ideals of Korean-American Day. This important resolution also recognizes the 103rd anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States. In January 1903 the first Korean immigrants came to the United States. Since then, Korean-Americans have raised families, participated in their communities, and contributed to the economy. I am proud to represent the thousands of Korean-Americans living in my congressional district. These hard-working individuals have started numerous businesses which help to strengthen the economy of New York City. Our nation's diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and I am pleased that this resolution honors the achievements of this vibrant community. Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, it is with pride that I rise to join my colleagues in recognizing the 103rd anniversary of Korean American immigration to the United States, and honoring the contributions of the Korean American community to our country. On January 13, 1903, the S.S. Gaelic docked in Hawaii, carrying with it the first wave of immigrants from Korea, and ushering in a new chapter in our nation's heritage. These pioneering individuals--56 men, 21 women, and 25 children--would blaze a trail for more than two million Korean American immigrants and their descendents who live throughout our nation today. Following World War II and the Korean War, a second wave of thousands of Korean immigrants came to the United States. Like all immigrants, they sacrificed everything they knew to answer the calls of freedom and new opportunity, with the hopes of building brighter futures for themselves in America. Over the course of one hundred years of immigration, Korean Americans have worked hard to achieve the American dream through their resolve, determination, and an abiding belief in the greatness of this country that we love. While well known and celebrated for its entrepreneurial spirit, the contributions made by the Korean American community to our society extends to all areas of the American fabric and have profoundly enriched our national heritage. Korean Americans have broken down language and social barriers, and fought back against the obstacles of racism and discrimination to succeed in and contribute to all aspects of American life--all. As Representative of California's 8th Congressional District, it is my privilege to represent a diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander community, including a vibrant and active Korean American community. In marking the 100 year anniversary of Korean American immigration, the Centennial Committee on Korean Immigration designated January 13 of each year as Korean American Day. By honoring this day, we celebrate the extraordinary contributions of this unique community to our country, and rededicate ourselves to making the American dream a reality for all. This legislation has my strong support, and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this vibrant community. Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 487, which would establish January 13 of each year as Korean American Day to celebrate the anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean-American immigrants to the United States (January 13, 1903). The Korean American community has added so much to the vibrant culture of Chicago and our country. Illinois has the 4th largest Korean population in the United States, and Chicago alone has close to 12,000 Korean residents. [[Page 27998]] Korean-Americans have taken root and thrived in the United States through strong family ties and community support. Through hard work, Koreans have invigorated businesses, churches, and academic communities in the United States. My constituents like Mr. Jin Lee, have made tremendous contributions to my city of Chicago. At the age of fourteen, Mr. Lee arrived in this country and has since been actively serving the Korean-American community. He co-founded the Keumsil Cultural Society, which promotes Korean American culture. He was Executive Director of the Chicago Korean American Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Village of Skokie's Immigrant Advisory Task Force and a committee member of the Skokie Festival of Cultures. He works hard on behalf of the community and has been recognized and honored by the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Republic of Korea and Mayor Richard M. Daley's office. He also served as goodwill ambassador for ``Visit Korea 2001'' and served as Vice President of the Korean American Association of Chicago. He recognizes the importance of promoting cultural diversity and supporting the immigrant community. As a first generation American and as a Congresswoman who is honored to represent one of the most richly diverse districts in the country, I have a deep appreciation for the invaluable contributions Korean- Americans have made to the United States. Korean-Americans, like Mr. Lee, contribute so much to and are an inspiration to others seeking to share in the American dream. This resolution provides much needed and deserved recognition to the Korean-American community for the invaluable mark they have had on the diversity and prominence of our great nation. Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Petri). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 487. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of those present have voted in the affirmative. Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. ____________________