Proclaiming January 13, 2018 as 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.

WHEREAS, The first wave of Korean immigrants to the United States, comprised of 102 people, arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii, on January 13, 1903. Today, 1.82 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 Delancey Streets, and they marched in solidarity for the Korean national independence movement on the last day to Independence Hall on Chestnut Street; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia is the birthplace of the League of Friends of Korea in America that was organized in 21 American cities as well as in London and France; and

WHEREAS, The Korean American Community in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area has grown to exceed 41,000 members. 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 characterized since the beginning by a shared 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, 2018 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 Korean Veterans Association of the Philadelphia Region, further evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.

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