The First Washington State
Korean American Day Celebration

Olympia, Washington
January 12th, 2008
Morea Than 2,300 People Participated This event

Started Opening Remarks by
The MC, Mary Nam and Janet Oh.
Translated into Korean by Cheryl Lee

While everyone in the crowd was waving the U.S. and Korean Flags,
The glorious U.S and Korean Flags saluting, special moment of silence for those who fought, died and sacrificed themselves for the Korean war and peace of the world. The Star Spangled Banner national Anthem by the Children's choir and joined the Korean National Anthem all together. The benediction was given by the pastor, Kwon Joon. The Korean American Committee Chair John Oh gave the greetings and introduction for the community leaders. He was proud of the first Washington Korean American Day, expressed special appreciation to the Governor Chris Gregoire and Senator Paull Shin and to the special supporters for making this happen in our history.
Senator Paull Shin gave the Korean American Day introduction and briefed history of this journey include Washington Senate bill 5166, which signed by Governor Chris Gregoire in April 9th, 2007 and "January 13 was declared by the Washington State Legislature to be Korean-American Day. Senator Paull Shin made the special thanks to the Korean War Veterans and to those who have been supported and made this day possible.

The congratulatory remarks were given by the Lt. Governor, Brad Owen
who made special remarks that the Korean Americans are dedicated to the family, to the community and great examples. Meanwhile, Lt. Governor Brad Owen introduced his adopted son, Adam Owen and his grand daughter. He was proud that he have two Korean adopted sons. Also He made special appreciation to the Korean war veterans. He also introduced President George Bush's letter for the Korean American Day celebration. He explained that President George Bush is proud of the Korean Americans for preserving their heritage and strong sense of community which plays vital role in the strength and prosperity of our country. Korea is a key economic partner and he also appreciated strong relationship between the Korea and the United States of America.

The Congratulatory continued by the Majority Leader, Lisa Brown, Senator also appreciated to the Korean American business and community leaders. Senator Tracey Eide who introduced City of Federal Way Council Member, the former Mayor Michael Park to the audiences. Senator Tracey Eide was proud that the Federal Way continues to grow Korean Market for Federal Way city and she enjoys the H-Mart. She appreciated great relationship with the Korea and congratulated for the first Washington State's Korean American Day Celebration.

The Consul General of Republic of Korea, Kwon Chan Ho made special appreciation to the Washington Government and Senator Paull Shin for making this dream come true. He mentioned that The South Korea considers this event very special and even the South Korea Government presented the team of traditional Korean musicians to this special event which shows that they are proud of this day of celebration for Korean American Day also proud of Korea and United State of American's great relationship.

The celebration continued with the Korean Essay Presentation by Jonathan Lee and Chelsa Kwon from United Seattle-Bellevue Korean School. The Korean Traditional music performance "flower" performed the Korean Fisher's Song (Baet No-Rae), Arirang, America the Beautiful by Lee Su-Jin (Electric violin), Jung-In (Korean fiddle), Eun-Hee (Korean harp), Kim Young-Lim (Korean harp), and Im-Sujin Korean flute. It was incredible performance and was beatiful like the flowers.....

The closing remarks was given by the Committee Chief of Staff, Won Sop Han, he appreciated to the volunteers and sponsors meanwhile the incredible Korean American 300 chorus members executed the song Hallelujah by Handel's Messiah and the Olympia Capitol building was filled with joy and glorious moment with the spirit of Washington and dreams come true for the Korean American's who made opportunity to live and immigrants to the United State of American. Congratulations the first Korean American Day of Celebration in Olympia, Washington. The special appreciation reception was given to the Korean War Veterans who sacfieced their time and family and stood up for the country. The South Korea had one of the fastest economic development in the world since the 1960s and is now the 3rd largest economy in Asia and the 11th largest economy in the world. This could not be happend without the Korean War verteran's unlimited love and care what they gave to keep the country and liberty......

Special Thanks to the sponsors who made this event possible:
The Washington State, ROK consul General, UniBank, Pi Bank, 주시애틀대한민국총영사관, 김태강사장, Uni Bank, 시애틀형제교회, P I Bank, Univera Inc. 스포켄한인회. 밴쿠버한인회. Lea Armstron. Denali Foundation, 대한부인회(Korean Women’s Association of WA). Quintet Mortgage. Holiday Inn (오준모사장). 시애틀연합장노교회, 신호범상원의원,시애틀- 벨뷰통합한인학교. J&G International, 곽종세전시애틀한인회장. 박영 B, 시애틀한인회(김기현전한인회장), 타코마한인회(회장: 이정주), Seattle St. Andrew Kim 성당, Young Ocean Inc., 홍승주전시애틀한인회장, 윤광남전시애틀한인회장, 한원섭한인재단와싱턴주지회장, 김인실여사, 김영일전오레곤한인회장, 이수잔 KAC 이사장, 서북미민주평통협의회(신광재회장), 한미여성회(이계숙회장), 장현식전태권도협회장, Asiana, Korean Air, American Family Insurance, 아카사카식당, 강동언(서북미한인회연합회장), Lee Hee Jong, Kim Soon A, and, Elder Kim Jong Ho, and Sandra Englund. Media Sponsor: 한국일보, 중앙일보, 라디오 한국, 미디어 한국, Ko-Am TV, Korea Post, 한인신문, 문화 저널, and 기독신문 Also, Korean American Churches, schools, business leaders and community leaders.
Photos and Reported by Catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, January 13, 2008