Supporting the goals and ideals of Korean American Day.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 487) supporting the goals and ideals of Korean American Day.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 487.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 487, which supports the goals and ideals of a Korean American Day and recognizes the 103rd anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States.

Korean Americans have played an important part in American society since January 13, 1903, when over 100 pioneer Korean immigrants arrived in America.

I am proud to say this last century is chock-full of significant, creative Korean-American accomplishments from Jam Kim, the first Korean-American to serve in the United States House of Representatives, to Eugene Chung, first Korean-American to be selected in

the first round of the NFL draft. To commemorate this remarkable period, the Centennial Committees of Korean Immigration and Korean- Americans designated January 13 of each year as Korean-American Day.

The Korean-American community has created a successful community at large and has established a deep sense of culture and heritage for the upcoming generations. It has become a centralizing force that promotes progress and unity of Korean-Americans, as well as preserves their close historical ties with Korean-American ancestors.

Korean-Americans have played an integral part in helping the United States grow our principles of strong family ties, support for our community as well as aspiring for success. With their contributions to the economic vitality of the U.S. global marketplace, they have also rejuvenated businesses, churches and academic communities in the United States.

The Korean-American population has made enormous contributions to all facets of American life, including to the United States military. At least 4,000 Korean-Americans serve in the U.S. Armed Forces with approximately 25 percent serving in Iraq currently. In addition, Korean-Americans score among the top tier in academic tests and scholastic accomplishments.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I am hopeful that H. Res. 487 will serve to bring the well-deserved recognition to a community that has given so much in leadership and heritage to our Nation.

I would like to thank Chairman Tom Davis for introducing this important resolution and urge my colleagues to join me in its adoption.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague and friend from the Commonwealth of Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis).

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), my friend and colleague.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield so much time as he may consume, given the constraint that we may have, to the gentleman from the Commonwealth of Virginia (Mr. Moran).

Mr. Speaker, I would like to again thank both the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for their work on this bill and bringing it forward, and I want to urge all Members to support the adoption of H. Res. 487.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, it is with extreme pleasure today that I rise in support of H. Res. 487. This resolution supports the goals and ideals of Korean-American Day and honors the many important contributions Korean-Americans have made to the United States.

January 13, 1903, marked the arrival of the first 102 Korean immigrants to America. For more than 100 years, Korean-Americans, like the immigrants from other Nations who came to the United States before them, have established roots and thrived in the United States through strong family ties, community support and hard work. The influence of Korean-Americans has been observed in all facets of American life, including, but not limited to, entrepreneurship, the arts and education.

Since my first term in Congress, I have had the pleasure of working hand-in-hand with a large Korean-American community in Northern Virginia. Through this warm and prosperous relationship, I have only become more impressed with a people whose heritage displays such a strong sense of determination, discipline and compassion. I am very proud of how rapidly the Korean-American community has spread its roots in Northern Virginia and am extremely appreciative of their numerous contributions to our community.

From Annandale to Fairfax to Prince William County, Korean-American- owned shops and businesses dominate the retail landscape. Their children are succeeding in our schools and going on to start their own businesses and bring up their families, making our community better and more prosperous by far.

I traveled and led a congressional delegation to the Republic of Korea in August of 2004 to discuss the prosperous relationship between our two countries. The Republic of Korea is an important ally and trading partner of the United States, and this is why many Korean immigrants have chosen to make the U.S. their home. It is the United States' seventh largest trading partner and is the third largest source of foreign students studying in the United States.

In addition, the U.S. embassy in Seoul is the busiest American consular post in the world. I have been working diligently with the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security to help create a roadmap which will eventually admit Korea into the Visa Waiver Program.

In closing, I want to remind my colleagues that it is all too easy to overlook the invaluable contributions that Korean-Americans have made, not just in Northern Virginia but to our Nation as a whole. This bill provides well-deserved recognition to the Korean-American community for the indelible mark they have made upon the diversity and prominence of our great Nation.

I also want to thank the distinguished representative from Utah for handling this bill on the floor, thanks to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), who has been a leader in these efforts, and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Capuano) for their work as original sponsors on this resolution, and I urge all of my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 487, which supports the goals and ideals of Korean American Day.

I would like to recognize my colleagues Representatives Davis, Rangel, Capuano and Royce for their leadership on this bill.

As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), I am proud to stand here to honor the accomplishments and contributions of the Korean American community.

On January 13, 1903, the first wave of Korean immigrants arrived in Hawaii. Like all immigrants, they arrived in this country with hope that they would find opportunities and a better life for themselves and their children. After World War II and the Korean War, two separate streams of Korean immigration took place. The first included those searching for political and educational freedom from the war. The larger stream occurred after the 1965 Immigration Act, which abolished the ``national origins'' quota system and allowed for family reunification provisions. After being hardened through years of war in Korea, these immigrants felt determined to build better lives and thrive in the United States.

For Korean immigrants, the American dream of building a better future for their families is alive and well. Korean Americans make this dream a reality through a focus on entrepreneurship. Korean American entrepreneurs have successfully developed businesses in all parts of our cities and suburbs.

The path to the American dream has not been easy for Korean Americans. The community has faced language and cultural barriers, discrimination and racism. Despite these obstacles, the Korean American community--like so many other immigrants who arrive in this country-- are helping to make and keep America strong.

The Korean American community has made lasting contributions to our society through a variety of professions including business, education, and the military. They have made significant contributions in medicine and the sciences such as the South Korean researcher Hwang Woo-Suk, a national hero in Korea for back-to-back world firsts in embryonic stem cell (ESC) research. Additionally, the Korean American community provides a bridge for the U.S. in building a stronger relationship with Korea. As a nation, we are benefiting from the knowledge and talent from their contributions.

Today, there are over 2 million Korean Americans living in the United States and Korean immigration remains an important part of our nation's history. The contributions through their culture, talents and knowledge continue to add to the diversity of this great nation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 487, which recognizes the goals and ideals of a Korean American Day and which honors the contributions that Korean Americans have made in the United States.

On January 13, 1903, 102 Korean immigrants arrived in the United States. They arrived on the SS Gaelic in Honolulu in the U.S. Territory of Hawaii where they established residence and labored on Hawaiian sugar plantations. These immigrants pioneered the migration of Koreans to America. Today this movement continues and remains strong. The island of Guam is home to many Korean immigrants and Korean Americans alike.

In the 1960s, President John F. Kennedy lifted the United States security clearance requirement for travel to and from Guam. This was an important-step with respect to the future growth and development of Guam's economy and trade with Asian nations. The removal of the security clearance requirement was followed by an influx of new immigrants to Guam, the westernmost territory of the United States. Koreans began to establish communities on Guam as early as in the 1970s, and in 1980s many new Korean families arrived on island to establish a beginning in America. Many Korean immigrants opened new businesses and several have risen to assume important leadership roles in advocating for the small business community.

The contributions of Korean Americans are not only found in Guam, but in every community across the United States. Korean Americans are key contributors in the economic, medical, academic and religious fields. Notably, at least 4,000 Korean Americans are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, with 25 percent serving in Iraq. Whether they are serving as leaders in their communities or fighting alongside their fellow Americans in defense of our country, Korean Americans have demonstrated their significant presence in and contributions to the United States.

I wish to express my heartfelt support in recognizing the 103rd anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States. On this occasion, I also take the opportunity to recognize the growth and contributions of the Korean Association of Guam. The Korean Association of Guam was established to advance the professional and civic interests of Korean Americans in Guam. Today, the Association serves as an important welcoming support group for new immigrants from Korea. Through the continued efforts and contributions of Korean Americans, our nation's ties with Korea will be strengthened in the years to come. I urge passage of House

Resolution 487 in honor of the story and contributions of Korean Americans.

Mr. Speaker, aloha and annyong ha shimnikka!

I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 487, which supports the goals and ideals of Korean American Day and, in doing so, recognizes the rich history of Korean immigration to our country dating back well over a century now and the broad and deep contributions of Korean Americans to all facets of our diverse American life.

The history of our country's Korean American community is commonly traced to January 13, 1903, when the SS Gaelic arrived in Honolulu Harbor carrying our first immigrants from Korea. The 56 men, 21 women, and 25 children who stepped onto my Hawaii's shores that day marked the beginning of the remarkable Korean cultural thread that has woven itself so deeply and uniquely into our American tapestry.

Today, 1.2 million Americans of Korean ancestry live throughout our Nation, with 41,000 in Hawaii alone. Korean American contributions in our Hawaii, built on the foundation of dedication and sacrifice by their predecessors, have been notable in a plethora of fields, ranging from government, law, finance, technology, medicine, and business, to arts, sports, education, and military service.

As just some examples, Chief Justice Ronald Moon of the Hawaii Supreme Court is the first Korean American in our country to serve on a state supreme court. Others are recipients of the Hawaii Korean American Foundation's 2005 Light of the Orient Award: Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim, Honolulu City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi, community advocates Agnes Rho Chun, Reverend Tongjin Samuel Lee, Frank Min, Evelyn Choi Shon, and Duk Hee Lee Murabayashi. And, of course, our most well-known American of Korean ancestry is professional golfer Michelle Wie.

But what proud father would not take the opportunity as well to highlight his own two favorite Korean Americans: James Kahele Case and David Espenett Case. My sons carry a quarter Korean ethnicity gifted them by their grandmother, Grace Moon, who emigrated to Hawaii from Korea shortly after the Korean War, and so join this great community in the responsibility of bringing forward this great heritage, American style, into the coming generations.

In closing, I thank Congressmen Tom Davis, Charles Rangel, Michael Capuano, and Ed Royce, the chief sponsors of this measure, for providing us all with this opportunity to recognize the many contributions of Korean Americans, past, present and future. Kamsamnida to them, and to all Korean Americans, wherever you might be.