Press Releases

LOS ANGELES — Today, Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27)—Chairwoman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC)—and Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-39) reintroduced a resolution celebrating Korean American Day, which this year marks the 120th anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States on January 13, 1903. 

To commemorate this historic milestone, Congressman Gomez also held a press conference with the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles where he announced his plan to introduce a resolution designating a post office in Koreatown after renowned Korean American leader and activist Dosan Ahn Chang Ho—a longstanding goal of the community. 

“Since the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States 120 years ago, Korean Americans have been integral to the social fabric and economic output of our country,” said Congressman Gomez. “As the representative of Koreatown in Los Angeles—home to the largest Korean American population in the United States—I am honored to lead this resolution recognizing their immeasurable contributions to our country. I am also thrilled to announce that I delivered $7 million for the creation of the Korean American National Museum right in the heart of Los Angeles Koreatown, secured House passage of a resolution honoring Korean and Korean American Veterans of the Vietnam War, and will be introducing a resolution to designate a post office after Korean American leader Dosan Ahn Chang Ho. The Korean American story is the American story, and I’m fighting to ensure this community receives the recognition and support it deserves. 

“Korean Americans have called the United States home for 120 years. As we recognize Korean American Day today, I remain, as always, proud to stand alongside the Korean American community and join my colleagues to celebrate their contributions to our American story,” said Congresswoman Chu. “Specifically, I have been thrilled to see in recent years additional Korean American representation in Congress, in courts, and in state legislatures, and I commend President Biden for his many historic appointments of Korean Americans as members of the Administration. These are great strides in making sure our public servants look more like the country they are representing, which is especially critical as we continue to grapple with an historic spike in hate crimes against Asian Americans and recover economically from the COVID-19 pandemic. We must stand with the Korean American community, whose resilience and strength truly embody our nation's spirit, and uplift Korean American’ voices and highlight their contributions.” 

“Since the first Korean immigrants arrived on January 13, 1903, Korean Americans have made their mark from sea to shining sea and have found success in the classroom, the workplace, and even right here in Congress, to make our nation a better place,” said Congresswoman Kim. “As one of the first Korean American women to serve in Congress and an immigrant from South Korea, I am grateful for the sacrifices my family made to have the chance at a better life and proud to recognize the 1.8 million Korean Americans in the U.S. today who share my story. I will always fight for freedom and opportunity for all Americans.” 

Congressman Gomez, Congresswoman Chu, and Congresswoman Kim were joined by 85 of their House colleagues and several Korean American community organizations in commemorating Korean American Day.  

“The Korean American Grassroots Conference (KAGC) thanks Congressman Jimmy Gomez for honoring his commitment to Korean American communities across the nation with his annual introduction of the Korean American Day Resolution,” said Wonseok Song, Executive Director of the Korean American Grassroots Conference (KAGC). “As a non-profit, non-partisan organization with the largest network of Korean American voters, KAGC recognizes the enduring contributions and leadership of Rep. Gomez, who has steadfastly shared the ever-evolving narrative of the Korean community with Congress for the past six years. From standing in solidarity with our community against racial violence, to working to provide relief for small businesses, from advocating for close U.S.-Korea relations, to recognizing the invaluable contributions of immigrant communities, Congressman Gomez has been a reliable ally to those who are working to achieve the American Dream. We are grateful to have such a thoughtful friend in Congressman Gomez and for his support for the key issues of our community, such as the Korean American VALOR Act, the Divided Families Reunification Act, and Adoptee Citizenship Act.” 

“KAFLA is energized to continue our partnership with Rep. Gomez to better serve Los Angeles,” said James An, President of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles (KAFLA). “Rep. Gomez' office has been pivotal in providing small business assistance through SBA programs and advocating for our community alongside the Stop the Hate Task Force. As we salute the 120-year history and contributions of Korean American immigrants, we celebrate our community’s perseverance throughout the pandemic and honor the resilience of our forefathers.” 

“KYCC is excited to join Congressman Jimmy Gomez in celebrating Korean American Day and the 120th anniversary of Korean immigration to the United States,” said Johng Ho Song, Executive Director of the Koreatown Youth & Community Center (KYCC). The Koreatown community is appreciative of Congressman Gomez for his continued partnership and recognition of the vibrant Korean American community in Los Angeles.” 

“KFAM is proudly celebrating Korean American Day with Congressman Jimmy Gomez,” said Katherine Yeom, Executive Director of Korean American Family Services. “It’s been 120 years of Korean Americans creating a home here in Los Angeles. The resolution that Congressman Jimmy Gomez is re-introducing is recognizing the Korean American Immigrant community that has made an impact in our country and that celebrates our heritage, traditions and culture. Thank you, Congressman Gomez for celebrating and recognizing this importance of this day.” 

The full resolution is available here.  

A video clip of Congressman Gomez’s speech to recognize Korean American Day on the House Floor can be found here. 

Photos from the press conference with the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles can be found here. 

The sponsor and cosponsors to this resolution include: Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Young Kim (CA-40), Judy Chu (CA-28), Michelle Steel (CA-45), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Katie Porter (CA-47), Donald S. Beyer Jr.  (VA-08), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07), Scott H. Peters (CA-50), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Terri A. Sewell (AL-07), Colin Z. Allred (TX-32), Al Green (TX-09), Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Ami Bera (CA-06), Bill Pascrell, Jr (NJ-09), Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (MP-At Large), Ed Case (HI-01), Mark Takano (CA-30), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Susie Lee (NV03), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Suzan K. DelBene (WA-01), Donald M. Payne Jr. (NJ-10), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Jake Aunchincloss (MA-04), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Andre Carson (IN-07), Christopher H. Smith (NJ-04), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Grace Meng (NY-06), Jim Costa  (CA-21), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Ruben Gallego (AZ-03), Bradley Scott Schneider (IL-10), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Josh Gotthemier (NJ-05), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Adam Smith  (WA-09), David J. Trone (MD-06), Janice D. Schakowsky (IL-09), Stepehen Lynch (MA-08), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-10), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Adam B. Schiff (CA-30), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Jennifer Wexton (VA-10), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Anna G. Eshoo (CA-16), Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Sarah Jacobs (CA-51), Andy Kim (NJ-03), Dina Titus (NV-01), Deborah K. Ross (NC-02), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Dean Phillips (MN-03), Joe Wilson (SC-02), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Salud O. Carbajal (CA-24), C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger (CA-02), Grace F. Napolitano (CA-31), Darren Soto (FL-09), Lucy McBath (GA-07), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Bill Foster (IL-11), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Darrell Issa (CA-48)