HR 135 — A Resolution recognizing June 19, 2025, as "Korean-American Citizenship Day" in Pennsylvania to celebrate the first naturalization of a Korean-American citizen in 1890.

PRINTER'S NO.    1065

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



              HOUSE RESOLUTION
                 No. 135
                                                 Session of
                                                   2025

     INTRODUCED BY MALAGARI, HILL-EVANS, FREEMAN, VENKAT, GUENST,
        GIRAL, KHAN, HADDOCK, SANCHEZ, SCHLOSSBERG, D. WILLIAMS,
        O'MARA, CERRATO, GREEN AND HEFFLEY, MARCH 19, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, MARCH 19, 2025


                                  A RESOLUTION
 1   Recognizing June 19, 2025, as "Korean-American Citizenship Day"
 2      in Pennsylvania to celebrate the first naturalization of a
 3      Korean-American citizen in 1890.
 4         WHEREAS, The influence of naturalized or natural-born
 5   citizens of Korean-American heritage may be observed in all
 6   facets of American life, including politics, industry,
 7   entrepreneurship, volunteerism, the arts and education; and
 8         WHEREAS, On June 19, 1890, Philip Jaisohn became the first
 9   Korean immigrant to acquire United States citizenship and
10   established himself as a pioneer for Korean-American history;
11   and
12         WHEREAS, Mr. Jaisohn was a Korean political refugee who made
13   his home in Media, Pennsylvania, and made Philadelphia a central
14   overseas base for supporting Korean independence; and
15         WHEREAS, Inspired by the First Continental Congress and
16   Second Continental Congress of the United States held in
17   Philadelphia, Mr. Jaisohn, Syngman Rhee, the first president of
18   the Republic of Korea, and Han Kyong Jung organized the First
 1   Korean Congress in Philadelphia, where they proclaimed the
 2   Korean Declaration of Independence from April 14 through 16,
 3   1919; and
 4      WHEREAS, Mr. Jaisohn was a noted champion of the Korean
 5   Independence Movement in America and established the Korean
 6   Information Bureau to publish the Korea Review for the cause of
 7   political and religious freedom in Korea and East Asia; and
 8      WHEREAS, Mr. Jaisohn and Reverend Dr. Floyd W. Tomkins
 9   founded the League of Friends of Korea that was organized in 21
10   American cities, as well as in London and Paris, with 25,000
11   members to educate the general public, the community and
12   government leaders about the aspirations of Korean people for
13   independence; and
14      WHEREAS, First-generation Korean immigrants established
15   America as a new home and naturalized to establish a new
16   homeland for their children and future generations of Korean
17   Americans; and
18      WHEREAS, The year 2025 marks the 135th anniversary of the
19   first United States citizenship granted to a Korean-American
20   individual and Korean Americans will come together on June 19 to
21   celebrate this day as "Korean-American Citizenship Day"; and
22      WHEREAS, Today, Korean-American citizens live throughout the
23   United States and are part of a vibrant, growing Korean-American
24   community in the United States; and
25      WHEREAS, The Korean-American community is making important
26   contributions in distinguished career fields, including law,
27   medicine, business, education, architecture and the arts; and
28      WHEREAS, Korean Americans have made significant contributions
29   to the economic vitality and fabric of the United States and the
30   global marketplace in all facets of government, for-profit

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 1   business, not-for-profit business and the academic community;
 2   and
 3         WHEREAS, Korean Americans have made history by winning
 4   elections as naturalized citizens or natural-born citizens
 5   throughout the country at Federal, State and local levels of
 6   political office; and
 7         WHEREAS, The Korean-American community has designated June
 8   19, 2025, as "Korean-American Citizenship Day" to commemorate
 9   the first step of the long and prosperous journey to United
10   States citizenship of Korean Americans in the United States;
11   therefore be it
12         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize June
13   19, 2025, as "Korean-American Citizenship Day" in Pennsylvania
14   to celebrate the first naturalization of a Korean-American
15   citizen in 1890; and be it further
16         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives support the goals
17   and ideals of "Korean-American Citizenship Day" and support
18   immigrants becoming naturalized citizens and encourage active
19   civic participation; and be it further
20         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all
21   Americans to observe "Korean-American Citizenship Day" in order
22   to celebrate naturalized Korean Americans and to have a greater
23   appreciation of their invaluable contributions to the United
24   States; and be it further
25         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor and
26   recognize the 135th anniversary of the first United States
27   citizenship granted to a Korean immigrant, a resident of this
28   Commonwealth.




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