IV
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 297
Recognizing the historical significance of 100 years of Korean immigration
to the United States.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DECEMBER 20, 2001
Mr. HOEKSTRA (for himself and Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia) submitted the
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on
Government Reform
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Recognizing the historical significance of 100 years of
Korean immigration to the United States.
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 chil-
dren left Korea and traveled across the Pacific Ocean on
the S.S. Gaelic and landed in Honolulu, Hawaii on Janu-
ary 13, 1903;
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
•HCON 297 IH
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 in-
cluded 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, Ko-
rean-Americans own and operate 135,571 businesses
across the United States that have gross sales of
$46,000,000,000 annually, and employ 333,649 individ-
uals;
Whereas the contributions of Korean-Americans to the
United States include the development of the first beat-
ing heart operation for coronary artery disease, the devel-
opment of several varieties of the nectarine, and achieve-
•HCON 297 IH
ments in engineering, architecture, medicine, acting, sing-
ing, sculpture, and writing;
Whereas Korean-Americans play a crucial role in maintaining
the strength and vitality of the United States-Korean re-
lationship;
Whereas the partnership of the United States and South
Korea helps maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pa-
cific 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 an-
niversary of Korean immigration to the United States:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress—
(1) recognizes the achievements and contribu-
tions of Korean-Americans to the United States over
the past 100 years; and
(2) requests that the President issue a procla-
mation calling on the people of the United States
and interested organizations to observe the anniver-
sary with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and ac-
tivities.
Æ