HOUSE PASSES "KOREAN AMERICAN DAY" BILL

December 14, 2005

WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Tom Davis (R-VA) is pleased to announce that the U.S. House of Representatives last night unanimously approved H. Res. 487, a bill introduced by Davis to honor the contributions Korean Americans have made to the United States and support the goals and ideals of a "Korean American Day." Three Co-chairs of the House Korea Caucus - Representatives Charles Rangel (D-NY), Ed Royce (R-CA), and Michael Capuano (D-MA) - are original co-sponsors of the legislation.

"Since my first term in Congress, I have had the pleasure of closely working with the Korean-American community in Northern Virginia. Through this warm and prosperous relationship, I have become thoroughly impressed by the community's strong sense of determination, discipline, and compassion," said Davis.

The "Korean American Day" would be celebrated on January 13th. In the year 1903, January 13th marked the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to America. Korean Americans, like the waves of immigrants that came to the United States before them, have taken root and thrived in this country through strong family ties, community support, and hard work. The influence of Korean Americans may be observed in all facets of American life, including, but not limited to, entrepreneurship, the arts, and education.

"It is all too easy to overlook the important and daily contributions that Korean Americans have made not just to Northern Virginia, but to our nation as a whole. This bill provides much needed and deserved recognition to the Korean American community for the indelible mark they have made upon the diversity and prominence of our great nation," Davis added.