Speaker. I rise today in support of House Resolution 487. which recognizes the goals and ideals of a Korean American Day and which honors the contributions that Korean Americans have made in the United States. On January 13. 1903. 102 Korean immigrants arrived in the United States. They arrived on the SS Gaelic in Honolulu in the U.S. Territory of Hawaii where they established residence and labored on Hawaiian sugar plantations. These immigrants pioneered the migration of Koreans to America. Today this movement continues and remains strong. The island of Guam is home to many Korean immigrants and Korean Americans alike. In the 1960s. President John F. Kennedy lifted the United States security clearance requirement for travel to and from Guam. This was an importantstep with respect to the future growth and development of Guams economy and trade with Asian nations. The removal of the security clearance requirement was followed by an influx of new immigrants to Guam. the westernmost territory of the United States. Koreans began to establish communities on Guam as early as in the 1970s. and in 1980s many new Korean families arrived on island to establish a beginning in America. Many Korean immigrants opened new businesses and several have risen to assume important leadership roles in advocating for the small business community. The contributions of Korean Americans are not only found in Guam. but in every community across the United States. Korean Americans are key contributors in the economic. medical. academic and religious fields.
Keywords matched
immigrants