[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 15, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 2173-2174]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1079]



[[Page 2171]]

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Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 7638--The Centennial of Korean Immigration to the United 
States
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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 10 / Wednesday, January 15, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 2173]]

                Proclamation 7638 of January 13, 2003

                
The Centennial of Korean Immigration to the 
                United States

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                From every corner of the world, immigrants have come to 
                America to discover the promise of our Nation. On 
                January 13, 1903, the first Korean immigrants to the 
                United States arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii, on the SS 
                Gaelic. Today, Korean Americans live throughout the 
                United States, representing one of our largest Asian-
                American populations. As we commemorate the centennial 
                anniversary of Korean immigration to the United States, 
                we recognize the invaluable contributions of Korean 
                Americans to our Nation's rich cultural diversity, 
                economic strength, and proud heritage.

                For the past century, Korean immigrants and their 
                descendants have helped build America's prosperity, 
                strengthened America's communities, and defended 
                America's freedoms. Through their service in World War 
                I, World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War, 
                and other wars, Korean Americans have served our Nation 
                with honor and courage, upholding the values that make 
                our country strong.

                The American and Korean people share a love of freedom 
                and a dedication to peace. The United States was the 
                first Western country to sign a treaty of commerce and 
                amity with Korea in 1882, promising ``perpetual peace 
                and friendship'' between our nations. Since that time, 
                the United States has built a strong friendship with 
                Korea--a friendship based on our common commitment to 
                human dignity, prosperity, and democracy. In the coming 
                months, more than 1 million Korean Americans throughout 
                our Nation will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 
                arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United 
                States. During this time, we acknowledge and commend 
                Korean Americans for their distinguished achievements 
                in all sectors of life and for their important role in 
                building, defending, and sustaining the United States 
                of America.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim January 13, 2003, as the 
                Centennial of Korean Immigration to the United States. 
                I call upon all Americans to observe the anniversary 
                with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities 
                honoring Korean immigrants and their descendants for 
                their countless contributions to America.

[[Page 2174]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand three, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-1079
Filed 1-14-03; 10:22 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P