The contributions of Korean Americans are honored every January 13 on Korean American Day. The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in 2005 passed resolutions by unanimous consent celebrating the many positive contributions that Korean Americans have made to “American life.” Part of the House of Representatives resolution reads as follows:
“Whereas Korean Americans, like other groups of immigrants that came to the United States before them, have settled and thrived in the United States through strong family ties, community support, and hard work;
Whereas Korean Americans have made significant contributions to the economic vitality of the United States and the global marketplace;
Whereas Korean Americans have invigorated businesses, churches, and academic communities in the United States;
Whereas Korean Americans have made enormous contributions to the military strength of the United States”
In continuation of this proud and strong tradition, this year saw the successful nomination of Korean American Dr. Jim Yong Kim as President of the World Bank. January 13 was designated Korean American Day to commemorate the 103 Korean immigrants who arrived in Hawai‘i on January 13, 1903, “initiating the first chapter of Korean immigration to America.” According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2010, there were 1.26 million Korean Americans in the United States, the fifth-largest group among Asian Americans.