HR 463 — A Resolution recognizing June 19, 2026, as "Korean-American Citizenship Day" in Pennsylvania to celebrate the first naturalization of a Korean-American citizen in 1890.

PRINTER'S NO.    3127

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



              HOUSE RESOLUTION
                 No. 463
                                                 Session of
                                                   2026

     INTRODUCED BY MALAGARI, PICKETT, VENKAT, PASHINSKI, McNEILL,
        HILL-EVANS, KHAN, MAYES, HANBIDGE, RIVERA, GUENST,
        HOHENSTEIN, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, SANCHEZ, MADDEN AND CERRATO,
        MARCH 31, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, MARCH 31, 2026


                                  A RESOLUTION
 1   Recognizing June 19, 2026, 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
 1   the Republic of Korea, and Han Kyong Jung organized the First
 2   Korean Congress in Philadelphia, where they proclaimed the
 3   Korean Declaration of Independence from April 14 through 16,
 4   1919; and
 5      WHEREAS, Mr. Jaisohn was a noted champion of the Korean
 6   Independence Movement in America and established the Korean
 7   Information Bureau to publish the Korea Review for the cause of
 8   political and religious freedom in Korea and East Asia; and
 9      WHEREAS, Mr. Jaisohn and Reverend Dr. Floyd W. Tomkins
10   founded the League of Friends of Korea that was organized in 21
11   American cities, as well as in London and Paris, with 25,000
12   members to educate the general public, the community and
13   government leaders about the aspirations of Korean people for
14   independence; and
15      WHEREAS, First-generation Korean immigrants established
16   America as a new home and naturalized to establish a new
17   homeland for their children and future generations of Korean
18   Americans; and
19      WHEREAS, The year 2026 marks the 136th anniversary of the
20   first United States citizenship granted to a Korean-American
21   individual and Korean Americans will come together on June 19 to
22   celebrate this day as "Korean-American Citizenship Day"; and
23      WHEREAS, Today, Korean-American citizens live throughout the
24   United States and are part of a vibrant, growing Korean-American
25   community in the United States; and
26      WHEREAS, The Korean-American community is making important
27   contributions in distinguished career fields, including law,
28   medicine, business, education, architecture and the arts; and
29      WHEREAS, Korean Americans have made significant contributions
30   to the economic vitality and fabric of the United States and the

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 1   global marketplace in all facets of government, for-profit
 2   business, not-for-profit business and the academic community;
 3   and
 4         WHEREAS, Korean Americans have made history by winning
 5   elections as naturalized citizens or natural-born citizens
 6   throughout the country at Federal, State and local levels of
 7   political office; and
 8         WHEREAS, The Korean-American community has designated June
 9   19, 2026, as "Korean-American Citizenship Day" to commemorate
10   the first step of the long and prosperous journey to United
11   States citizenship of Korean Americans in the United States;
12   therefore be it
13         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize June
14   19, 2026, as "Korean-American Citizenship Day" in Pennsylvania
15   to celebrate the first naturalization of a Korean-American
16   citizen in 1890; and be it further
17         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives support the goals
18   and ideals of "Korean-American Citizenship Day" and support
19   immigrants becoming naturalized citizens and encourage active
20   civic participation; and be it further
21         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all
22   Americans to observe "Korean-American Citizenship Day" in order
23   to celebrate naturalized Korean Americans and to have a greater
24   appreciation of their invaluable contributions to the United
25   States; and be it further
26         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor and
27   recognize the 136th anniversary of the first United States
28   citizenship granted to a Korean immigrant, a resident of this
29   Commonwealth.



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