Sponsored by:
Assemblyman BRIAN BERGEN
District 25 (Morris and Somerset)
SYNOPSIS
Declares January 13 of each year as Korean American Day in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution declaring January 13 of each year as Korean American Day in New Jersey.
Whereas, On January 13, 1903, 102 courageous Korean immigrants arrived in the United States initiating the first wave of Korean immigration to America; and
Whereas, These pioneering Korean immigrants faced tremendous social and economic obstacles as well as language barriers in America; and
Whereas, First generation Korean immigrants established a new home in a new land through resilience, tenacious effort, and immense sacrifice, which became the bedrock for their children and future generations of Korean Americans; and
Whereas, Korean Americans have made significant contributions to the economic vitality of the United States, and the global marketplace; and
Whereas, The contributions of Korean Americans to the United States include achievements in engineering, architecture, medicine, the arts, and writing; and
Whereas, Korean Americans have made enormous contributions to the military strength of the United States and served with distinction in the Armed Forces during World War I, World War II, the Vietnam conflict, the Korean conflict, and subsequent military conflicts across the globe; and
Whereas, Korean Americans have built and strengthened the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea; and
Whereas, The Centennial Committee of Korean Immigration to the United States designated January 13th of each year as Korean American Day to honor the first step of the long and prosperous journey of Korean Americans in the United States; and
Whereas, President George W. Bush proclaimed a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first arrival of Korean immigrants in 2003, and, in 2005, the United States House and Senate passed resolutions to encourage observing Korean American Day on January 13th; and
Whereas, More than 168,000 New Jersey residents can claim Korean ancestry; and
Whereas, New Jersey residents of Korean descent have contributed immensely to the development of music, art, food, and enterprise across the State; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper for this State to commemorate the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States, and to recognize the invaluable contributions Korean Americans have made to this State and to the United States; now, therefore,
Be It
Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:
1. January 13 of each year is declared to be Korean American Day in New Jersey to commemorate the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States, and to recognize the invaluable contributions Korean Americans have made to this State and to the United States.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe Korean American Day with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution declares January 13 of each year as Korean American Day in New Jersey.
On January 13, 1903, 102 courageous Korean immigrants arrived in the United States initiating the first wave of Korean immigration to America. These pioneering Korean immigrants faced tremendous social and economic obstacles as well as language barriers in America. They established a new home in a new land through resilience, tenacious effort, and immense sacrifice, which became the bedrock for their children and future generations of Korean Americans.
Korean Americans have made significant contributions to the economic vitality of the United States, and the global marketplace. Korean Americans have also made enormous contributions to the military strength of the United States and served with distinction in the Armed Forces during World War I, World War II, the Vietnam conflict, the Korean conflict, and subsequent military conflicts across the globe.
President George W. Bush proclaimed a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first arrival of Korean immigrants in 2003. Then, in 2005, the United States House and Senate passed resolutions to encourage observing Korean American Day on January 13th across the nation.
With over 168,000 New Jersey residents able to claim Korean ancestry, this State should commemorate the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States, and recognize the invaluable contributions Korean Americans have made to this State and to the United States.