107TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 297

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing the historical significance of 100 years

of Korean immigration to the United States.

107TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 297

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Whereas missionaries from the United States played a central

role in nurturing the political and religious evolution of

modern Korea;

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;
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Whereas the early Korean-American community was united

around the common goal of obtaining independence from

their colonized mother country;

Whereas members of the Korean-American community have

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, both military and civilian from South Korea

and the United States, who worked to stem the spread

of communism in Korea;

Whereas casualties in the United States Armed Forces 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 that

came to the United States before them, have taken root

and thrived in the United States through strong family

ties, community support, and hard work;

Whereas Korean immigration has invigorated businesses,

churches, 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 of
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$46,000,000,000 annually, and employ 333,649 individuals;

Whereas the contributions of Korean-Americans to the

United States include the development of the first beating heart operation for coronary artery disease, the development of several varieties of the nectarine, 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 relationship;

Whereas the partnership of the United States and South

Korea helps maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and provides economic benefits to the people

of both nations 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

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress—

3 (1) recognizes the achievements and contribu4 tions of Korean-Americans to the United States over

5 the past 100 years; and

6 (2) requests that the President issue a procla7 mation calling on the people of the United States

8 and interested organizations to observe the anniver-
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1 sary with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and ac2 tivities.

Passed the House of Representatives September 25,

2002.

Attest:

Clerk.