PRINTER'S NO. 834
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
125
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY KEARNEY, HAYWOOD, COLLETT, MENSCH, PHILLIPS-HILL,
HUGHES, FONTANA, KANE, CAPPELLETTI, MARTIN, SANTARSIERO,
MUTH, STEFANO, VOGEL, STREET AND COSTA, JUNE 1, 2021
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, JUNE 1, 2021
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing June 19, 2021, as "Korean American Citizenship Day"
in Pennsylvania and supporting the goals and ideals of
"Korean American Citizenship Day."
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, the arts and education; and
WHEREAS, On June 19, 1890, Philip Jaisohn became the first
Korean immigrant to acquire United States citizenship and
established himself as a pioneer for Korean-American history;
and
WHEREAS, The year 2021 marks the 131st anniversary of the
first United States citizenship granted to a Korean American,
and Korean Americans will come together on June 19 to celebrate
this date as "Korean American Citizenship Day"; and
WHEREAS, Today, Korean-American citizens live throughout the
United States and are part of a vibrant, growing Korean-American
community; and
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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, Philip Jaisohn, a Korean political refugee who made
his home in Media, Pennsylvania, made Philadelphia a central
overseas base for supporting Korean independence; and
WHEREAS, Inspired by the First and Second Continental
Congress of the United States held in Philadelphia, Philip
Jaisohn, Syngman Rhee, who is the first President of the
Republic of Korea, and Han Kyong Jung organized the First Korean
Congress in Philadelphia where they proclaimed Korean
Declaration of Independence from April 14th to April 16th, 1919;
and
WHEREAS, Philip Jaisohn was a noted champion of the Korean
Independence Movement in America and established the Korean
Information Bureau to publish the Korea Review for the cause of
political and religious freedom for Korea and the Far East; and
WHEREAS, Philip Jaisohn and Rev. 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 with 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
WHEREAS, First generation Korean immigrants established
America as a new home and naturalized to establish a new
homeland for their children and future generations of Korean
Americans; and
WHEREAS, Korean Americans have made significant contributions
to the economic vitality and fabric of the United States and the
global marketplace in all facets of fields in government, for-
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profit or not-for-profit business and academic communities; and
WHEREAS, Korean Americans have made history by winning
elections as naturalized citizens or natural born citizens
throughout the country at Federal, State and local elections for
political office; and
WHEREAS, Korean Americans have designated June 19, 2021, as
"Korean American Citizenship Day" to commemorate the first step
of the long and prosperous journey to United States citizenship
of Korean Americans in the United States; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize June 19, 2021, as "Korean
American Citizenship Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate:
(1) Support the goals and ideals of "Korean American
Citizenship Day" and promote immigrants to become naturalized
citizens and to become active civic participants;
(2) Urge all Americans to observe "Korean American
Citizenship Day" in order to celebrate naturalized Korean
Americans and to have a greater appreciation of their
invaluable contributions made to the United States; and
(3) Honor and recognize the 131st anniversary of the
first United States citizenship granted to a Korean immigrant
of the United States.
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