LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim January 13, 2015, as Korean American Day in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, When the sons and daughters of other nations move to the United
States, the traditions they carry with them greatly enhance and
strengthen the American population; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim January 13, 2015, as Korean American Day in
the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National
Korean American Day; and
WHEREAS, The Korean American community, in the State of New York and
around the Nation, honors family values through various events and cere-
monies throughout the year; and
WHEREAS, In December 1902, 56 men, 21 women and 25 children left Korea
and traveled across the Pacific Ocean on the SS Gaelic, landing in Hono-
lulu, Hawaii on January 13, 1903; and
WHEREAS, The early Korean American community was united around the
common goal of obtaining independence for their colonized mother coun-
try; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, in the early 1950s, thousands of Koreans, flee-
ing from war, poverty and political repression, came to the United
States seeking opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Korean Americans, like waves of immigrants who came to the
United States before them, have taken root and thrived in the United
States through strong family ties, community support and hard work; and
WHEREAS, According to the 2010 United States Census, there are over
1.4 million Korean Americans living in the United States; and
WHEREAS, According to the latest United States Census data, Korean
Americans own and operate 192,465 businesses in the country, with an
estimated revenue of $78.6 billion annually; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, there are 23,948 Korean-owned businesses in New
York State, which has the second largest number of Korean-owned busi-
nesses in the United States with an estimated revenue of $7.7 billion
annually; and
WHEREAS, Korean Americans have made tremendous contributions to all
sectors of our society, such as law, government, the visual and perform-
ing, arts, business, academia, medicine and science, including the
development of the first beating heart operation for coronary artery
disease; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, members of the Korean American community have
served with distinction in the Armed Forces of the United States; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York has always been richer, culturally and
socially, as a result of many contributions of its vibrant Korean-Ameri-
can community; New York is also fortunate to have in its midst a
substantial number of citizens who trace their origins to Korea; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim January 13, 2015, as
Korean American Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York; the Korean American Association of Greater New York; the Korean
American Association of Queens; Korean American Filial Piety, Inc.; and
the Korean American Parents Association of Greater New York.