[Congressional Record: November 30, 2001 (Senate)]
[Page S12263-S12264]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr30no01-106]
STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
______
SENATE RESOLUTION 185--RECOGNIZING THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF KOREAN IMMIGRATION TO THE UNITED STATES
Mr. ALLEN (for himself, Mr. Helms, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Warner, Mr.
Allard, Mr. Inouye, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Biden, Mr. Smith of Oregon, Mr.
Grassley, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Fitzgerald, and Mr. Gramm) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary.
S. Res. 185
Whereas missionaries from the United States played a
central role in nurturing the political and religious
evolution of modern Korea, and directly influenced the early
Korean immigration to the United States;
Whereas in December 1902, 56 men, 21 women, and 25 children
left Korea and traveled across the Pacific Ocean on the S.S.
Gaelic and landed in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 13, 1903;
Whereas the early Korean-American community was united
around the common goal of attaining freedom and independence
for their colonized mother country;
Whereas members of the early Korean-American community
served with distinction in the Armed Forces of the United
States during World War I, World War II, and the Korean
Conflict;
Whereas on June 25, 1950, Communist North Korea invaded
South Korea with approximately 135,000 troops, thereby
initiating the involvement of approximately 5,720,000
personnel of the United States Armed Forces who served during
the Korean Conflict to defeat the spread of communism in
Korea and throughout the world;
Whereas casualties in the United States Armed Forces during
the Korean Conflict included 54,260 dead (of whom 33,665 were
battle deaths), 92,134 wounded, and 8,176 listed as missing
in action or prisoners of war;
Whereas in the early 1950s, thousands of Koreans, fleeing
from war, poverty, and desolation, came to the United States
seeking opportunities;
Whereas Korean-Americans, like waves of immigrants to the
United States before them, have taken root and thrived in the
United States through strong family ties, robust community
support, and countless hours of hard work;
Whereas Korean immigration to the United States has
invigorated business, church, and academic communities in the
United States;
Whereas according to the 2000 United States Census, Korean-
Americans own and operate 135,571 businesses across the
United States that have gross sales and receipts of
$46,000,000,000 and employ 333,649 individuals with an annual
payroll of $5,800,000,000;
Whereas the contributions of Korean-Americans to the United
States include, the invention of the first beating heart
operation for coronary artery heart disease, the development
of the nectarine, a 4-time Olympic gold medalist, and
achievements in engineering, architecture, medicine, acting,
singing, sculpture, and writing;
Whereas Korean-Americans play a crucial role in maintaining
the strength and vitality of the United States-Korean
partnership;
Whereas the United States-Korean partnership helps
undergird peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and
provides economic benefits to the people of the United States
and Korea and to the rest of the world; and
Whereas beginning in 2003, more than 100 communities
throughout the United States will celebrate the 100th
anniversary of Korean immigration to the United States: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) recognizes the achievements and contributions of
Korean-Americans to the United States over the past 100
years; and
(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation
calling on the people of the United States and interested
organizations to observe the anniversary with appropriate
programs, ceremonies, and activities.
Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I am pleased to submit today, along with
the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Biden, the
Vice Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Mr. Warner, and the Vice
Chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee, Mr. Campbell, and many of our
colleagues, a Senate resolution recognizing the historical significance
of the 100th anniversary of Korean-Americans' immigration to the United
States in 2003.
In December of 1902, 56 men, 21 women and 25 children traveled from
Korea across the Pacific Ocean on the S.S. Gaelic and landed in
Honolulu, HI, on January 13, 1903, marking the first entry of Korean
immigrants to the U.S. territories. The year 2003 will be the 100th
Anniversary of that immigration. With that anniversary looming,
interest in this historic centennial celebration is growing in Korean
communities in the United States and worldwide, including events within
the vibrant Korean-American communities in the Commonwealth of
Virginia.
A century is more than a convenient marker for Korean-Americans: It
celebrates Koreans' prominent place in the broad narrative of America.
Judging by their achievements over these past 100 years, theirs is an
American story that confirms the opportunity for individual initiative,
creativity, hard work and success in these free United States.
Both individually and as a community, Korean-Americans have much to
celebrate in 2003. In such diverse areas as commerce and finance,
technology, medicine, education, and the arts, Korean-American
contributions are being widely acknowledged and recognized. Even the
Korean culture, uniquely shaped, inspired, and nurtured by life in
America, is becoming part of the vernacular. From Hawaii to California
to New York, and in Annandale in Fairfax County, VA, Korean-American
communities are vibrant and vital leaders throughout the United States.
It is worth noting that apart from the many achievements by Korean-
Americans, unique among all immigrant communities in the United States,
the early Korean-American community was united around the common goal
of attaining freedom and independence for their colonized mother
country. Like many immigrant groups, Korean-Americans embraced the
basic principles of democracy in our Constitution. It is a goal that
continues to this day, when one considers
[[Page S12264]]
that one out of four Korean-Americans still has relatives and other
loved ones trapped in North Korea.
Starting in the early 1950s, thousands of immigrants, fleeing from
war, poverty and desolation came to the United States seeking
opportunities. Without knowing the language and without great wealth,
but with strong family ties, caring community support and many hours of
hard work, Korean-Americans, like waves of immigrants before them, have
taken root and thrived in our free American soil.
Crucial to Korean-Americans' success was their ability to organize
themselves for mutual support and assistance through associations,
churches and other organizations. This success has translated itself,
according to the 2000 U.S. Census, into 135,571 businesses owned and
operated by Korean-Americans across the country with gross sales and
receipts of $46 billion. These businesses employ 333,649 men and women
with an annual payroll of $5.8 billion.
The contributions to this country by early Korean-Americans include
the invention of the first beating heart operation for coronary heart
disease, the development of the nectarine and a four-time Olympic gold
medallist. In the modern era, there have been notable achievements by
engineers, architects, doctors, actors, singers, sculptors and
novelists, among others. With more than 100 communities throughout the
United States preparing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Korean-
American immigration to the United States, it is appropriate and
deserving to recognize the historical significance of this milestone.
It is my hope that this resolution will encourage appreciation,
pride, and self-awareness among Korean Americans, and I encourage
schools, organizations, and Federal, State, and local governments to
plan activities and programs together with the many Korean-American
organizations that are currently preparing for this wonderful
anniversary of the living American Dream.
I respectfully ask for the support of my colleagues on both sides of
the aisle for this resolution, and urge the Senate to pass this
historic resolution.
____________________
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