[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 3 (Monday, January 20, 2003)]
[Page 62]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7638--The Centennial of Korean Immigration to the United 
States

 January 13, 2003

 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.
    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.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:22 a.m., January 14, 
2003]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on January 
15.