Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Korean American Day, I would like to recognize the 109th anniversary of the first Korean immigrants to arrive in the United States and the achievements of the…
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Korean American Day, I would like to recognize the 109th anniversary of the first Korean immigrants to arrive in the United States and the achievements of the Korean-American responsible for bringing both this day and the importance of the contributions of Korean-Americans to light, Dr. Byung Wook Yoon.
In 2003, Dr. Yoon, then President of the Southern California Centennial Committee of Korean Immigration to the United States, began the campaign to establish a national Korean American Day. In 2004, when Dr. Yoon became president of the Korean-American Foundation, he formed the National Committee of Korean American Day. Under his leadership in 2005, the committee claimed victory when the U.S. Senate (S. 283) and U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 487) passed resolutions supporting the goals and ideals of Korean American Day and establishing an annual celebration recognizing the many contributions of Americans of Korean descent to the life and cultural fabric of the United States.
Aside from spearheading the campaign to establish Korean American Day, Dr. Yoon has accomplished a great deal in his lifetime. He is the recipient of the Presidential Award from the Republic of Korea, the Grand Award for World Korean Day from the World Korean Interchange and Cooperation Association, and the Grand Award for Korean American Day from the Korean-American Foundation. Dr. Yoon was also selected as one of the one hundred honorable Korean immigrants to the United States by the Korean-American History Museum.
All his life, Dr. Yoon has demonstrated his leadership and dedication to the Korean-American community through his support of non-profit and service organizations. For example, he is responsible for community oriented service projects such as Korean-American Respect for the Environment, KARE, and has served as the Honorary National Chairman of the Korean-American Foundation USA. He has also served three times as Chairman of the Korean Institute of Southern California.
On behalf of all of my colleagues within the U.S. House of Representatives I would like to honor Dr. Byung Wook Yoon for his outstanding work in raising awareness to the many contributions Korean- Americans have made in every facet of American society. In honor of Dr. Yoon's work, I introduced H.Res. 599. The resolution honors him for his outstanding service on behalf of the Korean American community. The resolution reads:
Whereas on January 13, 2012, the Korean American community
in the United States celebrated Korean American Day initiated
by Dr. Yoon.
Whereas this year marks the 109th anniversary of the first
Korean immigrants to arrive in the United States.
Whereas in 2003, Dr. Yoon, then President of the
Southern California Centennial Committee of Korean
Immigration to the United States, began the campaign to
establish a national Korean American Day.
Whereas in 2003, the Korean American Foundation was founded
as the successor of the Centennial Committee of Korean
Immigration with the goals of fostering pride in Korean
cultural heritage and traditions as well as establishing
Korean American Day.
Whereas in 2004, Dr. Yoon became president of the Korean
American Foundation, forming the National Committee of Korean
American Day, successfully campaigning for the passage of
legislation recognizing Korean American Day on the Federal,
State, and local levels.
Whereas on October 20, 2005, the U.S. Senate passed S. Res.
283, ``Recognizing the contributions of Korean Americans to
the United States and encouraging the celebration of Korean
American Day'.'
Whereas on December 13, 2005, the U.S. House of
Representatives passed H. Res. 487 ``Supporting the goals and
ideals of Korean American Day'', recognizing the many
contributions of Americans of Korean descent to the life and
cultural fabric of the United States.
Whereas Dr. Yoon is the recipient of the Presidential Award
from the Republic of Korea.
Whereas Dr. Yoon received the first Grand Award for World
Korean Day from the World Korean Interchange and Cooperation
Association.
Whereas Dr. Yoon was honored with the first Grand Award for
Korean American Day from the Korean American Foundation.
Whereas Dr. Yoon was selected as one of a group of 100
honorable Korean immigrants to the United States by the
Korean American History Museum.
Whereas Dr. Yoon obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political
and Diplomacy Science from Korea University and a Master of
Arts in Journalism and Communication from Brigham Young
University.
Whereas Dr. Yoon received honorary doctorates from Yuin
University and the World Mission University.
Whereas Dr. Yoon's professional career has included serving
as a correspondent to the United States for the Seoul
Kyunghyang Daily Newspaper as well as a Founding Director of
Business and Trade for Wilshire State Bank in Los Angeles,
California, and has also served three times as Chairman of
the Korean Institute of Southern California.
Whereas Dr. Yoon authored the ``Korean American Legacies:
Challenges and Responses'', a source of inspiration for
current and future generations of Korean Americans.
Whereas over many years, Dr. Yoon has demonstrated his
leadership and dedication to the Korean American community
through his work and support of numerous nonprofit and
service organizations, including creating KARE (Korean
American Respect for the Environment), and serving as the
Honorary National Chairman of the Korean American Foundation
