2021 VIRTUAL CELEBRATION KOREAN AMERICAN DAY Wednesday, January 13, 2021 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm ET PROGRAM
WELCOME Ambassador Kathleen Stephens President & CEO, Korea Economic Institute of America
CONGRATULATORY REMARKS The Honorable Marilyn Strickland U.S. House of Representatives (WA-10)
HONOREES RECOGNITION VIDEO
CONVERSATION WITH THE HONOREES Dr. Young-mee Yu Cho | Associate Professor of Korean Language and Culture Rutgers University Dr. Sahie Kang | Director, School of Korean Middlebury College
MODERATED BY Sang Kim | Director of Public Affairs, Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI)
1 109TH CONGRESS – 1ST SESSION
December 16, 2005
SENATE RESOLUTION 283 Recognizing the contributions of Korean Americans to the United States and encouraging the celebration of ‘‘Korean American Day’’
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;
Whereas Korean Americans play a crucial role in maintaining the strength and vitality of the United States-Korean partnership;
Whereas the centennial year of 2003 marked an important milestone in the now more than 100-year history of Korean immigration; and
Whereas the Centennial Committees of Korean Immigration and Korean Americans have designated January 13th of each year as ‘‘Korean American Day’’ to memorialize the more than 100-year journey of Korean Americans in the United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) supports the goals and ideals of a ‘‘Korean American Day’’;
(2) commemorates the 103rd anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States; and
(3) encourages the people of the United States to— • share in such commemoration in order to greater appreciate the valuable contributions Korean Americans have made to the United States; and • to observe ‘‘Korean American Day’’ with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
2 WELCOMING REMARKS
Kathleen Stephens President & CEO, Korea Economic Institute of America
Ambassador (ret.) Kathleen Stephens is the President and CEO of the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI). A former U.S. Foreign Service Officer, she served as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea from 2008 to 2011. Her other overseas assignments included postings to China, former Yugoslavia, Portugal, Northern Ireland, where she was U.S. Consul General in Belfast during the negotiations culminating in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, and India, where she was U.S. Charge ‘d Affaires (2014-2015).
Ambassador Stephens also served in a number of policy positions in Washington at the Department of State and the White House. These included acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (2012), Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (2005-2007), Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs (2003-2005), and National Security Council Director for European Affairs at the Clinton White House.
She was a William J. Perry Fellow for Korea at Stanford University between 2015 and 2018. She is currently a Mansfield Foundation Distinguished Fellow, Pacific Century Institute board chairman, vice-chair of the board of trustees for The Asia Foundation, and a member of the board of The Korea Society.
3 CONGRATULATORY REMARKS
Marilyn Strickland U.S. House of Representatives (WA-10) Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland proudly represents Washington’s 10th Congressional District, which covers Pierce County, Thurston County and parts of Mason County. Born in Seoul, South Korea, Strickland is the first African-American to represent Washington State at the federal level, and the first Korean-American woman elected to Congress in its 230- year history.
Strickland’s father, who fought in World War II and Korea, met her mother while he was stationed in Korea after the war. Strickland’s parents endured discrimination and hardships that she could never imagine. They wanted her to have opportunities they were denied and taught her to work hard, fight for what’s right, serve the community, and to stand up for the underdog. Those values continue to inspire Congresswoman Strickland every day as she advocates for Washington’s 10th Congressional District in Congress.
Prior to Strickland’s election to Congress, she served as Mayor of Tacoma, where she helped transform a city and economy crippled by a deep recession into a destination for families, workers, artists, tourists and entrepreneurs. In addition to attracting over $1 billion in investment for housing and businesses, she was instrumental in investing over $500 million in infrastructure for roads, bridges, transportation, and the Port, creating over 40,000 new jobs in the Tacoma region.
A firm believer that there is dignity in all work, Strickland led successful efforts to raise the minimum wage and pass paid sick leave, paving the way for statewide action. Her city-wide Environmental Action Plan set goals to improve our air, water, and health. She launched an award-winning summer jobs program for high school students that led to the Tacoma Tideflats Certification Program, creating a pipeline for students to fill high-demand jobs in the maritime and construction trades. She and her team raised the high school graduation rate in Tacoma from 55% to 89% by making education a civic priority. Strickland was proud to stand with the LGBTQ community in support of Marriage Equality and transgender rights, and pass background checks for gun sales in Tacoma before statewide action.
As a Freshman Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Strickland carries with her the experience of rebuilding an economy after an economic recession. She will always be a strong voice for change so that our most vulnerable community members are served as we re-build an economy that works for all of us.
Strickland serves as a Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in addition to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. She is also a Member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), the Bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus, Democratic Women’s Caucus, and the New Democrat Coalition.
4 2021 HONOREES
Dr. Young-mee Yu Cho Associate Professor of Korean Language and Culture Rutgers University
Dr. Young-mee Yu Cho is an Associate Professor of Korean Language and Culture at Rutgers University. As the coordinator of the Korean Studies in the Department, Dr. Yu Cho has designed over 30 courses, including 4-level language courses, Korean language in culture and society, and traditional poetry. She also heads the Department’s new “Korean English Translation/Interpreting Certificate Program,” which is the first in Korean translation set in the North American university curriculum that offers community translation/interpreting skills along with academic coverage of translation issues.
Dr. Yu Cho is actively involved in research in curriculum development and instructional strategies, as well as organizing collaborative projects and activities. She spearheaded the Korean Textbook Project (1994-2000) that produced the most popular Korean textbook series entitled, Integrated Korean (2000-2019, Univ. of Hawaii Press), now on the third editions of the first two books in the series. Dr. Yu Cho co-authored the textbook series with four other scholars and it is used in more than 70 universities in North America and Oceania. In 2020, the newest addition to the series was published, Integrated Korean Accelerated I and II, and is geared towards Korean heritage and accelerated students.
From 2006-2009, Dr. Yu Cho served as the President of the American Association of Teachers of Korean (AATK) and led a taskforce to produce the National Standards for Korean Language Learning (2012, with Korean as the 12th language in the new edition of the National Standards for Foreign Language Education in the 21st Century, ACTFL Publications), in close collaboration with the Foreign Language Standards Collaborative.
In 2012, Dr. Yu Cho received the 31st Sejong Presidential Award for Merit, given by the Republic of Korea in recognition of her contributions towards the internationalization of the Korean language.
Dr. Yu Cho received her Ph.D. in Linguistics from Stanford University and B.A. in English Language and Literature from the Seoul National University.
5 2021 HONOREES
Dr. Sahie Kang Director, School of Korean Middlebury College
Dr. Sahie Kang is the Director of the School of Korean at Middlebury College and Professor Emerita at the Defense Language Institute. She served as the President of American Association of Teachers of Korean (AATK) from 2015 to 2018. She is the founding chair of Korean Special Interest Group at the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (2006-2009 & 2012-2015) and served as Vice President of International Association of Korean Language Education (2005-2007).
Dr. Kang has been a Master Trainer and Tester for the ACTFL Center for Assessment, Research and Development since 2002 and conducted numerous workshops on assessment and pedagogy in major universities in the United States and in Korea. Her publications and invited presentations include “Integrated Performance Assessment and KSL” Book Chapter, The Routledge Handbook of Korean as a Second Language (2021), “Linking Assessment and Learning via Performance and Proficiency Assessment,” International Journal of Korean Applied Language Education, IFKLCE (2016), “Implementing and Assessing Portfolio Projects,” with J. Shannon in TESOL PAIS (2008), “Syllabus Design for the Less Commonly Taught Languages,” with P. Boylan, Korean Language in America (2000); “Exploring Collaboration across Foreign Languages via Paradigm Shift,” Keynote Presentation, Korean Association of Foreign Language Education (2020); “Linking Assessment with Learning in Standards-Based Curriculum“ East Asian Language Pedagogy Panel, University of Wisconsin (2019), “Toward Articulation of K-16 and Government in Korean Language Education,” Korean Studies Panel, Stanford University (2018), “Content Based North Korean Curriculum,” Keynote Speech, IAKLE, Korea (2017),” “Assessing Grammar Proficiency,” Korea Foundation International Conference, Vietnam (2016), and “Hangeul,” Catholic University, Chile (2008).
She served as a consultant for Korean Flagship Programs at University of Hawaii and University of Wisconsin, for Proficiency Assessment Project at American Council on International Education, and as an Oversight Committee Member for National Standard Curriculum Project of American Association of Teachers of Korean. Dr. Kang received her PhD in Linguistics from the University of Florida 1990.
6 2021 MODERATOR
Sang Kim Director of Public Affairs, Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI)
Sang Kim is the Director of Public Affairs and Intern Coordinator at Korea Economic Institute of America. She is responsible for KEI’s community outreach and public affairs programs including the annual Korean American Day luncheon. As the Intern Coordinator, Ms. Kim overseas the all-yearlong internship program at KEI. She joined KEI in April 2013 as the Office Manager and Executive Assistant and has taken various responsibilities including serving as the Associate Director of Programs prior to the current position.
Prior to joining KEI, Ms. Kim held internship at the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins SAIS where she researched on a variety of issues related to Korean affairs, focused mainly on U.S. - Korea and inter-Korea relations. Ms. Kim graduated from University of Maryland, College Park with a B.A. in Government & Politics with minors in Korean Studies and Chinese Language. She earned her Master’s degree in Security Policy Studies from the George Washington University.
7 PAST HONOREES
2020 Honorees Min Jin Lee | Author of Pachinko and Free Food for Millionaire Literature Alexander Chee | Author of Author of How to Write an Autobiographical Novel, The Queen of the Night & Edinburgh Keynote Speaker: Marie Arana | Literary Director, U.S. Library of Congress
Honorees 2019 Charlotte & David Cho | Co-Founders, SoKo Glam Hallyu in Michael Hong | CEO/Co-Founder, Digital Media Rights, LLC the United States Susan Kang | Founder, Soompi Keynote Speaker: Congressman Andy Kim | U.S. House of Representatives (NJ-3)
Honorees 2018 Julie Ha | Director and Producer, Free Chol Soo Lee Journalism Chang W. Lee | Photojournalist, The New York Times May Lee | Correspondent CGTN America; Founder, Lotus Media House Keynote Speaker: Gene Policinski | President and COO, Newseum Institute
Honorees Kook-wha Koh | Founder of Chrysan Industries, Inc. 2017 David Oh | Project Systems Engineer and Systems Architect for Science & Psyche; former Lead Flight Director for Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Technology Eun-suk Seo | Professor of Physics at the University of Maryland, College Park; Principal Investigator for ISS-CREAM Guest Moderator: Tim Persons | Chief Scientist at the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Keynote Speaker: Jang Hohyun | Economic Minister, Korean Embassy
2016 Honorees Jae Ok Chang | Author & Director of the Global Korean Cuisine Culinary Research Center Excellence Edward Lee | Chef & Owner of 610 Magnolia & former Top Chef contestant Rachel Yang | Chef & Owner of Joule, Revel & Trove Guest Moderator: Marja Vongerichten | Kimchi Chronicles Keynote Speaker: Congressman Charles Rangel | U.S. House of Representatives (NY-15)
8 PAST HONOREES
2015 Honorees Toby Dawson | Olympic Bronze Medalist, South Korean National Sports Freestyle Ski Team Coach Jim Paek | Stanley Cup Winner, South Korean National Ice Hockey Team Coach Jhoon Rhee | Father of American Tae Kwon Do Hines Ward | Super Bowl MVP Keynote Speaker: Charles Rangel | Member of Congress
2014 Honorees Simon Lee | Founder of STG Incorporated Business and Sarah Paiji | Co-Founder of Snapette Entrepreneurship Michael Yang | Co-Founder of Become.com and mySimon.com Keynote Speaker: Sean Mulvaney | Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States
2013 Honorees Eugene Cho | Founder & Executive Director, One Day’s Wages Humanitarian Kyung Yoon | Executive Director, Korean American Work Community Foundation Keynote Speaker: Jim Yong Kim | President of the World Bank Group
2012 Honorees Youngsuk (Y.S.) Chi | Chairman, Elsevier Management Committee Arts and Daniel Dae Kim | Actor, Hawaii Five-0 and Lost Literature Peter H. Lee | Professor, Korean and Comparative Literature, University of California, Los Angeles Keynote Speaker: The Honorable Kurt Campbell | Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs
2011 Honorees Nam Pyo Suh President, Korea Advanced Institute of Science Academics | and Technology Yoon Shik Park | Professor of International Finance, School of Business, George Washington University Jeannie Suk | Professor of Law, Harvard Law School Keynote Speaker: Ambassador Charles L. Pritchard | President of Korea Economic Institute
9 PAST HONOREES
2010 Honorees David S. Kim | Deputy Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs at Government the U.S. Department of Transportation Howard Koh | Assistant Secretary for Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Yul Kwon | Deputy Chief of the Federal Communication Commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Keynote Speaker: Ambassador Stephen Bosworth | Former U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy
2009 Honorees Grace Chung Becker | Acting Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights No Designated Division, Department of Justice Theme David Kim | Founder and President, C2 Education Centers Sam Yoon | Boston City Councilor-at-Large Keynote Speaker: The Honorable Alexander Vershbow | Former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea
2008 Honorees Shinae Chun | Director of the Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau No Designated Sam Kwak | Federation of Korean Associations, USA Theme Michelle Rhee | Chancellor for the DC Public Schools Keynote Speaker: The Honorable Carlos M. Gutierrez | U.S. Secretary of Commerce
10 The Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI) is a leading policy outreach and educational organization focused on promoting economic, political, and security relations between the U.S. and South Korea. Located in Washington, D.C., KEI aims to broaden and deepen www.keia.org understanding among American policy leaders, opinion-makers, and the public about developments in Korea and the value of the U.S.- Korea relationship. Through its publications, outreach programs, social media outlets, and website, KEI provides access to in-depth and current analyses about the two Koreas.