WHEREAS, The first wave of Korean immigrants to the United States, comprised of 102 people, arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii, on January 13, 1903. Today, 1.7 million people of Korean descent live throughout the United States and are part of a vibrant, growing Korean American Community; and
WHEREAS, Nearly a century ago, the “First Korean Congress” was convened in Philadelphia from April 14-16, 1919, by Dr. Philip Jaisohn, a notable figure in Korea’s independence movement from Japan. The Korean representatives met in The Little Theatre located on 17th and Delancy Streets and they marched on the last day to the Independence Hall on Chestnut Street in solidarity for the Korean national independence movement; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia is the birth place of the League of Friends of Korea in America that was organized in 21 American cities, and in London and France; and
WHEREAS, The Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation was founded in 1975 in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The Korean American Community in Philadelphia and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has grown to over 80,000 people. Korean Americans own many retail stores, provide various cultural opportunities and are making important contributions in distinguished career fields such as law, medicine, business, education, architecture and the arts; and
WHEREAS, There are ever greater exchanges between Korea and Philadelphia and the friendship between the two regions has been embodied since the beginning by the values of love of freedom, dedication to peace and building of prosperity; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of the Centennial Korean Immigration to the United States and the historic relations between Philadelphia and Korea, all Citizens of Philadelphia are encouraged to participate in learning about the rich heritage and contributions of Korean Americans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby proclaims January 13, 2016 as the Korean American Day in the City of Philadelphia to celebrate and commemorate the proud heritage of Korean Americans and their invaluable contributions to enhancing the City’s culture, economy and the founding ideals of independence and democracy.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation further evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body and in commemoration of its 40th Anniversary.
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