PRINTER'S NO. 958
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
135
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY KEARNEY, PENNYCUICK, COLLETT, HAYWOOD,
CAPPELLETTI, TARTAGLIONE, FONTANA, SANTARSIERO, HUGHES,
PHILLIPS-HILL, SCHWANK, KANE AND COSTA, JUNE 23, 2023
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, JUNE 23, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Designating June 19, 2023, as "Korean-American Citizenship Day"
in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, The influence of naturalized or natural-born
citizens of Korean-American heritage may be observed in all
facets of American life, from politics to industry,
entrepreneurship to volunteerism and to the arts and education;
and
WHEREAS, On June 19, 1890, Philip Jaisohn (Soh, Jaipil), a
Korean political refugee, became the first Korean immigrant to
acquire United States citizenship and establish as a pioneer for
the Korean-American history that can be celebrated by all Korean
Americans, particularly by our younger generation who does not
have an opportunity to learn Asian-American history in their
school systems; and
WHEREAS, The year 2023 marks the 133rd anniversary of the
first United States citizenship granted to a Korean American;
and
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WHEREAS, Korean Americans will come together to celebrate
June 19 as "Korean-American Citizenship Day"; and
WHEREAS, Korean-American citizens live throughout the United
States and are part of a vibrant, growing Korean-American
community in the United States; and
WHEREAS, The Korean-American community is making important
contributions in distinguished career fields such as law,
medicine, business, education, architecture and the arts; and
WHEREAS, Korean Americans generate economic vitality to the
fabric of the United States and the global marketplace in
government, for-profit or not-for-profit business and academic
communities; and
WHEREAS, Jaisohn, a noted champion of the Korean Independence
Movement in America, resided in Media, making Philadelphia a
central overseas base for supporting Korean independence; and
WHEREAS, Jaisohn established the Korean Information Bureau,
publishing the Korea Review, for the cause of political and
religious freedom of Korea and the Far East; and
WHEREAS, Inspired by the First and Second Continental
Congress of the United States, Jaisohn, Syngman Rhee, the first
President of the Republic of Korea, and Henry Han Kyong Chung
organized the First Korean Congress in Philadelphia, where they
proclaimed Korean Declaration of Independence from April 14 to
April 16, 1919; and
WHEREAS, Jaisohn and Reverend Dr. Floyd W. Tomkins founded
the League of Friends of Korea that was organized in 21 American
cities, as well as in London and Paris, numbering 25,000 members
to educate the general public and community and government
leaders about the aspirations of Korean people on the
independence for Korea; and
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WHEREAS, First-generation Korean immigrants established
America as a new homeland for their children and future
generations of Korean Americans; and
WHEREAS, Korean Americans have made history by winning
elections as naturalized citizens or natural born citizens
throughout our Commonwealth and country in Federal, State and
local levels of political office; and
WHEREAS, Korean Americans celebrate June 19 as "Korean-
American Citizenship Day" to commemorate the first step of their
long and prosperous journey to United States citizenship;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate June 19, 2023, as
"Korean-American Citizenship Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Senate support the goals and ideals of
"Korean-American Citizenship Day" and promote immigrants to
become naturalized citizens and active civic participants; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate celebrate the first naturalization
of Korean-American Philip Jaisohn in 1890; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate urge all Americans to observe
"Korean-American Citizenship Day" to celebrate all naturalized
Korean Americans and appreciate their invaluable contributions
to this Commonwealth and our country; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate honor and recognize the 133rd
anniversary of the first United States citizenship granted to
the Korean immigrants of the United States.
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