ID :
40986
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 14:23
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/40986
The shortlink copeid
Congressman lauds Korean Americans for contributions to building America
By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (Yonhap) -- Millions of Korean Americans have helped the
United States become a powerful nation in the past century as one of the top five
immigrant groups, a U.S. congressman has said.
"Korean Americans have helped shape the United States into a powerful and
influential nation," Rep. Scott Garrett of New Jersey said in a speech to the
House of Representatives on Wednesday, according to a transcript released by
Congress.
Garrett made the remarks in recognition of Korean-American Day which fell on
Tuesday.
"Korean Americans have played an essential part in shaping our country into its
current form," he said. "Ever since the signing of the first treaty between the
United States and Korea, the Jemulpo Treaty in 1882, our two countries have
engaged in an important relationship."
Garrett's remarks referred to the establishment of the formal relationship
between the two countries more than a century ago, to be followed by thousands of
Koreans arriving at sugar cane farms in Hawaii in 1903 as the first group of
Korean immigrants.
"When Koreans first started immigrating to the United States, they worked in
places such as farms and railroads," he said. "At that time, they could not have
imagined the amount of success Korean-Americans would enjoy over time -- nor how
large their community would become."
"After years of steady immigration, which blossomed in the 1960's, Korean
Americans became one of the top 5 immigrant groups to the United States," the
congressman said. "Today, there are about 1.5 million Korean Americans living
across the country."
He noted legislation in past years granting South Korea the same preferential
treatment enjoyed by members of NATO in the purchase of American arms and efforts
to include South Korea in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program.
"I trust that we will keep the Korean-American community in mind," he said.
"Korean Americans play an important role in shaping American culture and
Korean-American Day is a celebration that I am proud to recognize."
hdh@yna.co.kr
(END)
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (Yonhap) -- Millions of Korean Americans have helped the
United States become a powerful nation in the past century as one of the top five
immigrant groups, a U.S. congressman has said.
"Korean Americans have helped shape the United States into a powerful and
influential nation," Rep. Scott Garrett of New Jersey said in a speech to the
House of Representatives on Wednesday, according to a transcript released by
Congress.
Garrett made the remarks in recognition of Korean-American Day which fell on
Tuesday.
"Korean Americans have played an essential part in shaping our country into its
current form," he said. "Ever since the signing of the first treaty between the
United States and Korea, the Jemulpo Treaty in 1882, our two countries have
engaged in an important relationship."
Garrett's remarks referred to the establishment of the formal relationship
between the two countries more than a century ago, to be followed by thousands of
Koreans arriving at sugar cane farms in Hawaii in 1903 as the first group of
Korean immigrants.
"When Koreans first started immigrating to the United States, they worked in
places such as farms and railroads," he said. "At that time, they could not have
imagined the amount of success Korean-Americans would enjoy over time -- nor how
large their community would become."
"After years of steady immigration, which blossomed in the 1960's, Korean
Americans became one of the top 5 immigrant groups to the United States," the
congressman said. "Today, there are about 1.5 million Korean Americans living
across the country."
He noted legislation in past years granting South Korea the same preferential
treatment enjoyed by members of NATO in the purchase of American arms and efforts
to include South Korea in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program.
"I trust that we will keep the Korean-American community in mind," he said.
"Korean Americans play an important role in shaping American culture and
Korean-American Day is a celebration that I am proud to recognize."
hdh@yna.co.kr
(END)
