Happy Korean-American Day: January 13th

The Senate has joined the House in introducing a resolution declaring Korean-American Day. I also have a copy of the floor speech introducing the resolution, which actually mentions Michelle Wie by name, but because Dick Durbin gave it, my fingertips abruptly developed bleeding sores when I tried to cut and paste it. The resolution is better reading anyway.

Whereas on January 13, 1903, the arrival of 102 pioneer immigrants to the United States initiated the first chapter of Korean immigration to the United States;

Whereas members of the early Korean American community served with distinction in the Armed Forces of the United States during World War I, World War II, and the conflict in Korea;

Whereas in the early 1950s, thousands of Koreans, fleeing from war, poverty, and desolation, came to the United States seeking opportunities;

Whereas Korean Americans, like waves of immigrants to the United States before them, have taken root and thrived as a result of strong family ties, robust community support, and countless hours of hard work;

Whereas the contributions of Korean Americans to the United States include the invention of the first beating heart operation for coronary artery heart disease, development of the nectarine, a 4-time Olympic gold medalist, and achievements in engineering, architecture, medicine, acting, singing, sculpture, and writing;

The South Korean Embassy showed enough interest in the bill to e-mail to at least nine congressional staffers of Korean descent, pushing for the bill’s passage:

The resolution was referred to the Judiciary Committee and is currently awaiting further action. I would like to ask for your kind assistance on this resolution to expeditiously move for a final passage in the Senate.

I certainly see nothing negative–in fact, nothing but good, and plenty of it–in the resolution itself, nor anything illegal about the embassy’s lobbying, although I wonder if the embassy overestimates the extent of its influence over a particularly proud group of Americans whose political activities show a growing alienation from the views of South Korean politicians. In some ways, the rise of the reaction to Sunshine and human rights abuses in the North reflects the rise of Korean-Americans’ political influence in the United States, and over Korea itself. If Korean-Americans complete their renaissance to become the conscience of the mother country, expect native Koreans to discover a bitter side of their feelings toward their American kin, and to denounce them for their very Americanness.

Which, needless to say, would be unfortunate.

Thanks to the staffers in both houses who forwarded me copies.