Agenda Item: 4a 
Meeting Date: December 13, 2022 

PROCLAMATION 
OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION 
WHEREAS,  Korean American representation matters; and 
WHEREAS,  on January 13, 1903, 102 courageous Korean immigrants arrived in Hawaii as
laborers for the sugar plantation, initiating the first large wave of Korean
immigration to America; and 
WHEREAS,  the second wave of Korean immigrants consisted of Korean wives of American
soldiers, known as war brides; war orphans; and students, businessmen, and
intellectuals from 1950 to 1964; and 
WHEREAS,  the third wave of Korean immigration occurred with the passage of the 1965
Immigration and Naturalization Act, revoking the national quota system and
making family reunification possible; and 
WHEREAS,  Korean Americans, like other groups of immigrants that came to the United
States before them, have settled and thrived in the United States through strong
family ties, community support, and hard work; and
WHEREAS,  Korean Americans of all generations and recent immigrants have made
significant contributions to the economic vitality of the United States, and
continue to make great contributions to our nation, our region, and our Port; and 
WHEREAS,  the contributions of Korean Americans may be observed in all facets of
American life, from politics to industry, entrepreneurship to volunteerism, the
arts, and education; and
WHEREAS,  Korean Americans have built and strengthened the alliance between the United
States and the Republic of Korea, fostering peace on the Korean Peninsula and
promoting trade alliances; and
WHEREAS,  Korean Americans have made enormous contributions to the military strength
of the United States and served with distinction in the Armed Forces during
World War I, World War II, the Vietnam war, the conflict in Korea, and
subsequent military conflicts across the globe; and

        WHEREAS,  the centennial year of 2003 marked an important milestone in the history of
Korean immigration; and 
WHEREAS,  on January 13, 2003, President George W. Bush issued “The Centennial of
Korean Immigration to the United States” proclamation, which commemorated
the centennial anniversary of Korean immigration to the United States and
recognized the invaluable contributions of Korean Americans to our Nation's
rich cultural diversity, economic strength, and proud heritage; and
WHEREAS,  the United States House of Representatives passed House Resolution 487 to
commemorate Korean American Day in the 109th Congress; and
WHEREAS,  the United States Senate passed Senate Resolution 283 to commemorate Korean
American Day in the 109th Congress; and
WHEREAS,  WA State Legislature unanimously passed Senate Bill 5166 in the 60th 
Legislature during the 2007 Regular Session, and signed into law by Governor
Christine Gregoire, officially designating January 13 of each year as Korean
American Day; and 
WHEREAS,  Washington State has the fifth highest concentration of Korean Americans in
the United States; the fifth largest Asian Americans subgroup in the United
States; and United States is home to the largest Korean diaspora community in
the world; and
WHEREAS,  Washington State is the most trade-dependent and trade-vulnerable state.
According to the Washington Council on International Trade, 40% of state jobs
are connected to trade; and 
WHEREAS,  the Republic of Korea is an important Northwest Seaport Alliance trading
partner, ranking fourth by total vessel value and third by total TEUs; and 
WHEREAS,  the year 2023 marks the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Mutual Defense
Treaty between United States and the Republic of Korea in 1953, which
commits the two countries to provide mutual aid if either faces external armed
attack; and 
WHEREAS,  the official recognition of Korean American Day is a significant way we can
celebrate the invaluable contributions of our Korean American employees and
community, and work in creating a welcoming environment and a culture of
belonging.

           NOW, THEREFORE, the Port of Seattle Commission hereby honors and recognizes Korean
American Day; celebrates the contributions of Korean American Port employees and community;
and affirms the Port’s commitment to advance racial equity and representation of Korean
Americans.
Proclaimed by the Port of Seattle Commission this 13th day of December, 2022. 

Port of Seattle Commission 



Port of Seattle Commission