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PRINTER'S NO. 509
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
63
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY MENSCH, KEARNEY, GORDNER, BROWNE, MARTIN, KILLION,
PHILLIPS-HILL, COSTA, FARNESE, FONTANA, COLLETT, STREET AND
DINNIMAN, MARCH 27, 2019
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MARCH 27, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Commemorating the centennial of the March First Movement and
First Korean Congress and noting their historic roles in
Korea's nationwide resistance against imperial Japan, and
designating April 12 through 14, 2019, as "The First Korean
Congress Days".
WHEREAS, Early 20th century Korean nationalists spurred
independence movements in India, China, Philippines and other
colonized countries and laid the foundation for provisional
governments and governments-in-exile and, in 1948, the First
Republic of Korea; and
WHEREAS, On March 1, 1919, 33 activists assembled at a
restaurant in Seoul to adopt a recently drafted Korean
Declaration of Independence; and
WHEREAS, The declaration was publicly read that day at
Seoul's Pagoda Park and other appointed places; and
WHEREAS, Japanese colonial officials received a written
version; and
WHEREAS, As translated, the declaration begins:
We hereby declare that Korea is an independent state and
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that Koreans are a self-governing people. We proclaim it
to the nations of the world in affirmation of the
principle of the equality of all nations, and we proclaim
it to our posterity, preserving in perpetuity the right
of national survival;
and
WHEREAS, Approximately 2 million Koreans joined in
widespread, nonviolent mass demonstrations; and
WHEREAS, The following spring, Japanese military forces
brutally suppressed the citizen-led campaign known as the March
First Movement; and
WHEREAS, More than 7,000 demonstrators were killed, 16,000
wounded and 46,000 arrested during this period of Korean
resistance; and
WHEREAS, The First Korean Congress convened in Philadelphia
from April 14 through 16, 1919, to broadly declare Korean
nationalism and activate supporters in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Philip Jaisohn, a Korean political refugee who
settled in Delaware County in the 1880s, worked to establish
Philadelphia as a central overseas base; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Jaisohn and other activists recognized
Philadelphia as a symbol of freedom for oppressed people and a
site where the First and Second Congresses of the United States
drafted foundational documents; and
WHEREAS, The Korean Information Bureau and a League of
Friends of Korea chapter later formed in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, From April 12 through 14, 2019, the Korean-American
community is coming together in Philadelphia to celebrate the
centennial of the March First Movement and First Korean
Congress; and
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WHEREAS, The First Korean Congress Centennial Celebration
Committee is presenting events recognizing this milestone and
the friendship between Korea and the United States; and
WHEREAS, The Korean American Association of Greater
Philadelphia, Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation, Council of
Korean Churches of Greater Philadelphia and Philadelphia Chapter
of the National Unification Advisory Council of the Republic of
Korea are represented on the committee; and
WHEREAS, The Korean Senior Citizens Association of Greater
Philadelphia, Syngman Rhee Memorial Foundation, Mid-Atlantic
Chapter of the National Association for Korean Schools, Korean
American Association of Southern New Jersey, Philadelphia
Chapter of the Young Korean Academy (Hung Sa Dahn), Greater
Philadelphia Korean American Association of Five Northern
Provinces, Korean Veterans Association of the Philadelphia
Region and Delaware Korean American Association are also
represented on the committee; and
WHEREAS, A symposium on the First Korean Congress,
reenactment of a First Korean Congress-led march, centennial
concert at Church of the Holy Trinity in Rittenhouse Square and
closing celebration are slated; and
WHEREAS, The Senate express sincere appreciation for the acts
of nonviolent resistance and ideals of independence associated
with the rise of Korean nationalism; and
WHEREAS, The Senate further recognize the contributions of
Korean Americans in our Commonwealth and beyond; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Senate commemorate the centennial of the March
First Movement and First Korean Congress and note their historic
roles in Korea's nationwide resistance against imperial Japan;
and be it further
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the First Korean Congress Centennial Celebration Committee.
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