BILL NUMBER:S3580

TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to designating the
month of May as Korean American Family Month

PURPOSE OF THE BILL:

The purpose of the bill is to designate May as Korean American Family
Month.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill adds a new section 168-b to define a month of
commemoration as a calendar month designated by this section or
designated by a proclamation of the governor or a jointly adopted
resolution by the senate and assembly. It also designates May as
Korean American Family Month.

Section 2 provides for this act to take effect immediately.

JUSTIFICATION:

In December of 1902, 56 men, 21 women and 25 children left Korea and
traveled across the Pacific Ocean on the S.S. Gaelic and landed in
              

Honolulu, Hawaii, on January 13, 1903. Since their arrival, Korean
Americans have taken root and thrived in the United States through
strong family ties, community support and hard work.

Family values and the importance of education are at the core of
Korean culture. Specifically, the concept of "filial piety," or love
and respect for one's parents and ancestors, is a vital family virtue
honored by Koreans for centuries.

May is considered "Family Month" in Korean culture with Children's Day
falling on May 5th, Parents' Day on May 8th, and Teachers' Day on May
15th.

Children's Day was founded in 1923, by Jeong-Hwan Bang, a children's
book author and children's rights activist, to promote love and
respect for youth. The Proclamation of Children's Day, which was
presented by Mr. Bang on May 1, 1923, contains eight requests by
children to adults, such as treating children with respect and
providing a caring environment for children to learn and develop.
Acknowledging that children are the future of the nation, the day
became a public holiday in Korea in 1975, allowing parents and
children to spend the day together to strengthen the ties of the
family.

Since 1973, Koreans have celebrated Parents' Day on May 8th by
presenting their parents with a red carnation and gifts. In addition,
various ceremonies are held in the Korean American community to
recognize sons and daughters who have rendered exemplary care and
services to parents and elderly.


May 15th is designated as Teacher's Day. While teachers are not blood
relatives, they have long occupied a special place of honor and
dignity in Korean culture. Korea has a long tradition of sincere
respect and admiration for teachers, and students are taught to
respect their teachers from the very first time they enter a school.

Respect for teachers does not only take place in schools but also in
every household. It goes along with Korean culture where the elderly
are greatly respected for their lifelong wisdom and hard work on
behalf of Korean society.

The Korean American community in New York State continues to honor
family values through various events and ceremonies held annually
during the month of May.

According to the 2010 United States Census, there are over 153, 000
Korean Americans living in New York. The State of New York has been
richer, culturally, economically and intellectually, as a result of
many contributions of its vibrant Korean American community.
Therefore, it is appropriate to designate May as Korean American
Family Month.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act would take effect on the first of January after it shall have
become law.