Andy Kim’s First Bill As Senator Gives Nod To His Korean Heritage

NEW JERSEY — A trailblazing United States senator from New Jersey gave a nod to his family’s heritage this week by introducing a bipartisan resolution to designate Jan. 13 as Korean American Day.

On Monday, Sen. Andy Kim – who recently became the first Korean American to serve in the United States Senate (and the first Asian American senator from New Jersey) – said he was “humbled” to introduce the legislation, his first since being elected last November.

“My parents’ journey to this country just over 50 years ago, the family they built, and my chance to serve New Jersey in Congress all would not have been possible without those who came before us,” Kim said.

“Today we recognize the generations who built our cherished communities and commit to uplifting all those to come,” he added.

Kim, who previously served as a U.S. House member in New Jersey’s 3rd District, is member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, among other congressional assignments.

The bipartisan resolution picked up several co-sponsors, including New Jersey’s other U.S. senator, Cory Booker. A companion resolution was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.

According to the Korea Economic Institute of America, “Korean American Day” honors the community’s contributions to the United States and commemorates the arrival of the first Korean immigrants on Jan. 13, 1903.

In 2005, the U.S. Senate and House passed resolutions by unanimous consent expressing support for the goals and aspirations of Korean American Day, which is also celebrated by numerous states and municipalities.

Other U.S. Congress members from New Jersey have pointed to the Korean American community as a big resource for the state.

On Wednesday, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined the Korean American Grassroots Conference to celebrate “a key part of North Jersey’s strength.”

According to Gottheimer’s office, New Jersey has more than 104,000 residents of Korean ancestry – the third-largest population in the United States.

More than 1.8 million Korean Americans lived in the United States as of 2022, accounting for 8 percent of all Asian Americans, data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows.

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