Res 0417-2014

By Council Members Koo, Arroyo, Barron, Chin, Dickens, Gentile, Gibson, Johnson, Mendez, Richards, Vallone, Cohen, Van Bramer, Weprin, Crowley, Constantinides, Cabrera, Eugene, Kallos and Lander Whereas, In December 1902, 56 men, 21 women and 25 children left Korea and traveled across the Pacific Ocean on the SS Gaelic, landing in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 13, 1903; and Whereas, The early Korean American community was united around the common goal of obtaining independence for their colonized mother country; and Whereas, Furthermore, in the early 1950's, thousands of Koreans, fleeing from war, poverty and political repression, came to the United States seeking opportunities; and Whereas, Korean Americans, like waves of immigrants that came to the United States before them, have taken root and thrived in the United States through strong family ties, community support and hard work; and Whereas, According to the 2010 United States Census, there are over 1.4 million Korean Americans living in the United States; and Whereas, According to the latest United States Census data, Korean Americans own and operate 192,465 business in the country, with an estimated revenue of $78.6 billion annually; and Whereas, Furthermore, there are 23,948 Korean-owned businesses in New York State, which has the second largest number of Korean-owned businesses in the United States with an estimated revenue of $7.7 billion annually; and Whereas, Korean Americans have made tremendous contributions to all sectors of our society, such as law, government, the visual and performing arts, business, academia, medicine and science, including the development of the first beating heart operation for coronary artery disease; and Whereas, Additionally, members of the Korean American community have served with distinction in the Armed Forces of the United States; and Whereas, New York City, in particular, has been culturally and socially enriched as a result of the many contributions of its vibrant Korean American community; and Whereas, According to the 2010 United States Census, there are an estimated 96,741 New York City residents of Korean descent; and Whereas, On January 13, 2014, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), including Congresswoman Grace Meng and Congressman Charles Rangel, celebrated Korean American Day in recognition of the 111th anniversary since Korean immigrants first arrived to the United States; and Whereas, The triumphs and unwavering efforts of dedicated individuals have advanced the Korean American community and the community-at-large through outstanding advocacy, sterling achievement and an unfaltering dedication to societal well-being; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York recognizes and commemorates January 13th as Korean American Day in the City of New York. LS #497 2/18/14 11:20 a.m. TC 3 2