PRINTER'S NO. 1547
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
149
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY MALAGARI, KIM, MADDEN, VENKAT, PICKETT, KINSEY,
HILL-EVANS, GUENST, SCHLOSSBERG, KHAN, HADDOCK, McNEILL,
SANCHEZ AND MENTZER, JUNE 12, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, JUNE 12, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing June 19, 2023, as "Korean-American Citizenship Day"
in Pennsylvania to celebrate the first naturalization of a
Korean-American citizen in 1890.
WHEREAS, The influence of naturalized or natural-born
citizens of Korean-American heritage may be observed in all
facets of American life, including politics, industry,
entrepreneurship, volunteerism, the arts and education; and
WHEREAS, On June 19, 1890, Philip Jaisohn became the first
Korean immigrant to acquire United States citizenship and
established himself as a pioneer for Korean-American history;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Jaisohn was a Korean political refugee who made
his home in Media, Pennsylvania, and made Philadelphia a central
overseas base for supporting Korean independence; and
WHEREAS, Inspired by the First Continental Congress and
Second Continental Congress of the United States held in
Philadelphia, Mr. Jaisohn, Syngman Rhee, the first president of
the Republic of Korea, and Han Kyong Jung organized the First
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Korean Congress in Philadelphia, where they proclaimed the
Korean Declaration of Independence from April 14 through 16,
1919; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Jaisohn was a noted champion of the Korean
Independence Movement in America and established the Korean
Information Bureau to publish the Korea Review for the cause of
political and religious freedom in Korea and East Asia; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Jaisohn and Reverend Dr. Floyd W. Tomkins
founded the League of Friends of Korea that was organized in 21
American cities, as well as in London and Paris, with 25,000
members to educate the general public, the community and
government leaders about the aspirations of Korean people for
independence; and
WHEREAS, First-generation Korean immigrants established
America as a new home and naturalized to establish a new
homeland for their children and future generations of Korean
Americans; and
WHEREAS, The year 2023 marks the 133rd anniversary of the
first United States citizenship granted to a Korean-American
individual and Korean Americans will come together on June 19 to
celebrate this day as "Korean-American Citizenship Day"; and
WHEREAS, Today, Korean-American citizens live throughout the
United States and are part of a vibrant, growing Korean-American
community in the United States; and
WHEREAS, The Korean-American community is making important
contributions in distinguished career fields, including law,
medicine, business, education, architecture and the arts; and
WHEREAS, Korean Americans have made significant contributions
to the economic vitality and fabric of the United States and the
global marketplace in all facets of government, for-profit
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business, not-for-profit business and the academic community;
and
WHEREAS, Korean Americans have made history by winning
elections as naturalized citizens or natural-born citizens
throughout the country at Federal, State and local levels of
political office; and
WHEREAS, The Korean-American community has designated June
19, 2023, as "Korean-American Citizenship Day" to commemorate
the first step of the long and prosperous journey to United
States citizenship of Korean Americans in the United States;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize June
19, 2023, as "Korean-American Citizenship Day" in Pennsylvania
to celebrate the first naturalization of a Korean-American
citizen in 1890; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives support the goals
and ideals of "Korean-American Citizenship Day" and support
immigrants becoming naturalized citizens and encourage active
civic participation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all
Americans to observe "Korean-American Citizenship Day" in order
to celebrate naturalized Korean Americans and to have a greater
appreciation of their invaluable contributions to the United
States; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor and
recognize the 133rd anniversary of the first United States
citizenship granted to a Korean immigrant, a resident of this
Commonwealth.
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