Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-39), one of the first Korean American women to serve in Congress, introduced a bipartisan resolution with fellow California Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) to designate January 13, 2021 as National Korean American Day.
A bipartisan group of fellow Korean American Reps. Michelle Steel (CA-48), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) and Andy Kim (NJ-03) joined Kim and Gomez in introducing this resolution.
Rep. Kim led a similar resolution each year during her time in the California State Assembly to honor her heritage and the more than 1.8 million Korean Americans who call the United States home.
“America’s rich diversity is part of what makes our country great. I am proud to be one of the first Korean-American women to serve in Congress, and humbled to represent a district that includes such a vibrant Korean American community,” said Congresswoman Kim. “Korean Americans have made great contributions to the growth and success of the United States since the first Korean immigrants arrived on January 13, 1903. I am proud to honor my heritage, honor the 1.8 million Korean Americans in the U.S. today, and recognize the important role that Korean Americans play in defining America as a land of opportunity by introducing this resolution to honor Korean American Day.”
“Every year, neighborhoods across the United States celebrate Korean American Day by recognizing the many contributions Korean American communities have made to our country. Home to Koreatown, California’s 34th Congressional District – and all of Los Angeles – uniquely understands and appreciates how Korean Americans have uplifted and strengthened our city as educators, first responders, essential workers, small business owners, and more. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic hit Korean American communities particularly hard last year, forcing businesses to close, putting livelihoods in jeopardy, and taking the lives of family and loved ones. But in the face of this shared struggle, I take great pride in knowing that all of us are working hard to turn the page on this public health crisis and rebuild stronger together in 2021,” said Gomez.
“This day serves to celebrate the great contributions Korean Americans have made to our country, and to also honor the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States in 1903. As an immigrant and one of the first Korean American women to serve in Congress, it is an honor to be a voice for our community in our nation’s capital,” said Steel.
Read the text of the resolution HERE.
