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Remarks as Prepared
Korean-American Immigration Centennial
Observance
The White House
Washington, D.C.
May 9, 2003
Thank you.
It’s great to see so many outstanding Korean Americans from around
the country gathered at the White House.
I’m delighted to join you today in celebrating the centennial of
Korean immigration to the United States.
If only the courageous ancestors, who first came to the United States
through Hawaii one hundred years ago, could see this meeting today.
Like so many other newcomers to this country, the first Korean-Americans
were willing to take the most humble jobs to build a better life for their
families. Today—thanks to talent, strong values and hard work—their
descendents are leaders in every profession.
One out of every eight Korean American owes his or her own business. And
Korean-owned businesses employ more than 333,000 men and women, generating
sales and receipts of over $46 billion.
I witnessed your entrepreneurial spirit first hand during my visit to
“Korea Town” in Los Angeles last year. I was deeply moved by the
resilience and optimism in your community. So many businesses had been rebuilt
and were flourishing despite the tragedy that engulfed them several years
earlier.
That’s a tremendous accomplishment and a tribute to the
entrepreneurial success of your community.
As you’ve heard from Ed Moy, this Administration is deeply
committed to expanding opportunities for the Asian Pacific American Community.
I’m proud to work for a leader—President George W. Bush—who has
done so much to reach out to our community…a leader who has sought out
Asian Pacific Americans for the highest levels of government.
When I first started out in government, there was only a handful of
non-career Asian Pacific American appointees. Today, as Ed has noted, President
Bush has appointed Asian Pacific Americans to more than 152 positions in the
government.
Following the President’s lead, I’m proud of the fact that
there are 17 Asian Pacific American appointed to top leadership positions at
the Department of Labor—the highest number of any government department.
Among them is Shinae Chun—the first Asian American to head the Labor
Department’s Women’s Bureau.
And to help create the next generation of leaders, the Labor Department
has established an Internship program that is second to none in the federal
government. Already, a number of outstanding young Korean Americans have served
the Department as interns. I hope you will help spread the word about this
program, so that more young Korean Americans can learn about this wonderful
opportunity to serve our country.
And we are doing a number of other things, as well, to ensure the
continued strength of your community.
We are aggressively enforcing our nation’s employment laws to
ensure that workers—including vulnerable Asian immigrants—are safe
and fairly compensated.
We are helping business owners—particularly in immigrant
communities—understand the employment rules and regulations in this
country, which can be very confusing and complicated.
That’s why the Labor Department is translating its publications and
its websites on health, safety and fair compensation into multiple
languages—including Korean. In fact, you will find in your folders today a
copy of the most recent Labor Department booklet published in the Korean
language. And more are on their way.
We have also hired interpreters to assist non-English speakers who call
the Labor Department’s telephone center.
And for the first time in history, the monthly unemployment report
published by the Department’s Bureau of labor Statistics will include
separate data on all Asian Pacific America communities…and expanded
information on Asian American employment.
As I hope you can tell, I care deeply about the Asian Pacific American
community. Every day in my job, I work to ensure that the ability to pursue the
American dream reaches every willing heart.
The Korean American community has so much to celebrate—a heritage
of family, hope, and accomplishment. This is one Administration and one Cabinet
Secretary committed to honoring your achievements and helping you successfully
meet any challenges that lie ahead!
Thank you for joining us for this very special celebration. God bless
all of you and God bless America.
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