Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Reps. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) and Young Kim (CA-40) introduced a bipartisan resolution celebrating January 13 as Korean American Day, which this year marks the 121^st anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States on January 13, 1903. 

The full resolution is available here. 

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

This is the sixth year Gomez has put forward this resolution. The effort builds on Gomez’s work in Congress to uplift the Korean American community and history, including securing the initial $7 million necessary for the first-ever Korean American National Museum; helping pass the law to secure veterans benefits for Korean soldiers who served alongside Americans in the Vietnam War and now live in the U.S.; and advancing his bill through committee to designate Koreatown’s post office after Korean American leader Dosan Ahn Chang Ho.

"Since the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States 121 years ago, the story of Korean Americans has been intertwined with our nation's social and economic fabric. As the representative for Koreatown in Los Angeles—home to the largest Korean American community in the U.S.—I'm honored to champion the resolution recognizing this community’s immense contributions,” said Rep. Jimmy Gomez. “I am also proud to have helped secure the initial $7 million for the first-ever Korean American National Museum, preserving stories that are foundational to our nation. The story of Korean Americans is integral to the American narrative, and I'm dedicated to ensuring this community receives the recognition and support it deserves."

“Since the first Korean immigrants arrived to the United States on January 13, 1903, Korean Americans have made their mark from coast to coast and have found success in the classroom, the workforce, and even right here in Congress, to make our nation a better place,” said Rep. Young 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 in the aftermath of the Korean War to have a better life here and am proud to recognize the more than 2 million Korean Americans in the U.S. today who share my story. I will continue fighting to pay it forward by protecting the American dream for future generations.”   

“KAFLA commends Rep. Gomez for his unwavering leadership and commitment to affirming our community through his annual reintroduction of the Korean American Day Resolution,” said James An, President of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles (KAFLA).  “For over 121 years, Korean Americans have helped strengthen our communities while raising our children to be productive citizens of the United States.  Korean American Day highlights our contributions and celebrates Korean Americans as true Americans and the diversity that we bring. Through our longstanding partnership with Rep. Gomez’s office, we continue to advocate for and serve Korean Angelenos through vital programs such as SBA small business assistance, Stop the Hate, and more.”

“KFAM appreciates Congressman Jimmy Gomez for his continued partnership, commitment and recognition of the Korean American community in Los Angeles on Korean American Day. We are excited to join in celebrating our heritage, sharing our culture and contributions to the Los Angeles community. Thank you, Congressman Gomez for celebrating and acknowledging the importance of Korean American Day,” said Katherine Yeom, Executive Director Korean American Family Services (KAFS).

"KYCC is proud to partner with Congressman Jimmy Gomez to celebrate Korean American Day and recognize the tremendous growth and advancements within our community," said Johng Ho Song, Executive Director of the Koreatown Youth & Community Center (KYCC). “Los Angeles is home to the largest Korean American community in the United States and KYCC is appreciative of Congressman Gomez for his leadership in representing Koreatown."

“I am thrilled to join Rep. Gomez in reintroducing his annual resolution celebrating Korean American Day. The impact that the Korean community has had on our country for 121 years has been invaluable. Even here in Congress, we now have 21 AANHPIs in Congress, including four Korean American Members, all of whom we thank for their representation and contributions. I also applaud President Biden for his many historic appointments of Korean Americans to serve significant roles in our government, and commend the many Korean Americans serving in critical capacities on school boards, state legislatures, city councils, mayor’s offices, and our courts across the nation. As we highlight these tremendous strides, we know there is so much more to be done to uplift the Korean American community. So on this Korean American Day and every day, we must renew our commitment to promoting policies to support the Korean American community and strengthening their representation in all sectors,” said Rep. Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).

“As one of the first Korean American women elected to Congress, commemorating the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States is personally meaningful not only to me, but also to the 50,000 Korean Americans I have the privilege of representing,” said Rep. Michelle Steel (CA-45). “The story of those first Koreans to immigrate to the United States in 1903 is part of the American story that must be told and remembered, and I am proud to join my colleagues in offering this resolution to do just that by commemorating Korean American Day.”

"The Korean American Grassroots Conference (KAGC) is thankful of the continued support by Congressman Jimmy Gomez for promoting the visibility and enhancing the importance of the Korean American community nationwide through his annual introduction of the Korean American Day Resolution." As a non-profit, non-partisan organization with the largest network of Korean American voters, KAGC recognizes the foundational base upon which Congressman Gomez has created to work with Korean Americans and allies to advocate for common issues affecting Korean Americans, such as providing relief for small business, forging a strong U.S-ROK alliance, and recognizing the contributions made by Korean Americans since the arrival of the first Korean immigrants on January 13th, 1903. We are grateful and honored to share a close friendship with the Congressman on supporting the key issues of our community, such as the passage of the Korean American VALOR Act in November 2023, the Divided Families Reunification Act, and the Adoptee Citizenship Act,” said Mr. Wonseok Song, Executive Director of the Korean American Grassroots Conference (KAGC)

A full list of cosponsors is below:

Young Kim (CA-40), Judy Chu (CA-28), Andy Kim (NJ-03), Michelle Steel (CA-45), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Donald S. Beyer Jr.  (VA-08), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07), Bill Pascrell, Jr (NJ-09), Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-10), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Joe Wilson (SC-02), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Jim Costa (CA-21), Lucy McBath (GA-07), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Bill Foster (IL-11), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Mark Takano (CA-30), Sarah Jacobs (CA-51), Deborah K. Ross (NC-02), Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Terri A. Sewell (AL-07), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Hank Johnson (GA-4), Adam B. Schiff (CA-30), Alma Adams (NC-12), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Mary Peltola (AK-01), Adam Smith  (WA-09), Ed Case (HI-01), Colin Z. Allred (TX-32), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Al Green (TX-09), Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Josh Gotthemier (NJ-05), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (MP-At Large), C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger (CA-02), Dean Phillips (MN-03), Suzan K. DelBene (WA-01), Darren Soto (FL-09), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Ami Bera (CA-06), Jennifer Wexton (VA-10), Scott H. Peters (CA-50), Grace Meng (NY-06), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), David J. Trone (MD-06), Janice D. Schakowsky (IL-09), Katie Porter (CA-47), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Grace F. Napolitano (CA-31), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Susie Lee (NV-03), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Anna G. Eshoo (CA-16), Dina Titus (NV-01), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Christopher H. Smith (NJ-04), Donald M. Payne Jr. (NJ-10), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Frederica Wilson (FL-24).