WHEREAS, 2003 is the 100th anniversary of Korean Immigration to the United States; and
     WHEREAS, In December 1902, 56 men, 21 women, and 25 children left Korea and traveled across the Pacific Ocean on the S.S. Gaelic and landed in Honolulu, Hawaii, on January 13, 1903; and
     WHEREAS, Korean-Americans, like waves of immigrants to the United States before them, have taken root and thrived in the United States through strong family ties, robust community support, and countless hours of hard work; and
     WHEREAS, Korean-Americans have followed the time-worn formula for immigrant success - strong family ties, an indefatigable work ethic, a willingness to endure grueling hours and work for low wages or profits in hopes of success later, and the extensive use of family labor, essential in highly competitive markets; and
     WHEREAS, Korean-American's devotion to family is part of their "social capital" with parents sacrificing for their children and expecting them to reciprocate by helping take care of family and one's elders; and
     WHEREAS, The over 100,000 Korean-Americans living in Washington State, most of whom are United States citizens, have made substantial contributions to their communities through numerous special projects and have invigorated business, church, and academic interests in the United States; and
     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, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War; and
     WHEREAS, On June 25, 1950, Communist North Korea invaded South Korea with approximately 135,000 troops, thereby initiating the involvement of approximately 5,720,000 personnel of the United States Armed Forces who served during the Korean Conflict to defeat the spread of communism in Korea and throughout the world; and
     WHEREAS, Casualties in the United States Armed Forces during the Korean Conflict included 54,260 dead (of whom 33,665 were battle deaths), 92,134 wounded, and 8,176 listed as missing in action or prisoners of war; and
     WHEREAS, Korea is Washington's fourth largest trading partner and our state exported over 2.1 billion dollars in goods to Korea in 2001; and
     WHEREAS, Korean-American business owners have proved that the American Dream is still alive by pursuing the American work ethic in a wonderfully disciplined way with such unflagging enterprise, multiplied many times over, powerfully boosting the economy of Washington state over the years; and
     WHEREAS, Korean-Americans have the highest rate of entrepreneurship in the country with almost 30 percent of Korean-American men and 20 percent of Korean-American women owning their own businesses; and
     WHEREAS, Korean-Americans own and operate approximately 3,500 businesses in Washington that have gross sales and receipts of $1,500,000,000 annually, pay $180,000,000 in taxes per year, and employ approximately 10,000 Washingtonians; and
     WHEREAS, The contributions of Korean-Americans to the United States include the invention of the first beating heart operation for coronary artery heart disease, the development of the nectarine, a 4-time Olympic gold medalist, and achievements in engineering, government, architecture, education, medicine, acting, singing, sculpture, and writing; and
     WHEREAS, Korean-Americans share a trait that both propels them to the United States and ensures their success here, a passion for education, and this commitment to learning results in high literacy rates and high school graduation rates; and
     WHEREAS, The State of Washington has and continues to benefit tremendously from the contributions of Korean immigrants and Korean-Americans; and
     WHEREAS, The Korean-American community maintains close ties with Korea and, at the same time, continues to establish and strengthen their relationships to the United States; and
     WHEREAS, Beginning in 2003, communities throughout the State of Washington will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Korean immigration to the United States;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of Washington State recognize and express its appreciation for the numerous outstanding achievements and contributions Korean-Americans have made which have enriched communities throughout Washington State and around the country and encourage citizens and organizations throughout Washington to join the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Korean Immigration to the United States with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.