Bill would designate Jan 13 as newest holiday in Washington

OLYMPIA – Asian Americans are the 2nd fastest growing minority group in Washington. Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, the first and only Korean-American legislator in the state’s history, introduced a bill that would celebrate the accomplishments of Washington’s Korean-Americans by designating Jan 13 as a non-legal holiday. Today, it unanimously passed the Senate.

“I’m so honored to have introduced and passed this bill, recognizing the cultural and economic achievements made by Washington’s Korean-Americans,” Shin said. “Next week, I’ll be presenting this bill to the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, who will adopt this measure.”

Senate Bill 5166 would designate every Jan. 13 as Korean-American Day. The Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs would assist in the day of recognition by coordinating events and educational opportunities to private organizations and public entities.
Ellen Abellera, executive director for the state’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, wholeheartedly supports the bill.

“The Korean American community is growing so fast,” said Abellera, a Filipino-American and member of the Korean Women’s Association of Pierce County. “They are very innovative and are known for their social service outreach programs. This is such a wonderful way to honor their contributions to our citizens.”

In 2005, Congress passed a resolution to designate every Jan. 13 as “Korean American Day.” The date is significant; it honors the first Korean immigrants to arrive in Honolulu, Hawaii on Jan. 13, 1903. Many of the state’s first Korean immigrants worked as farmers or laborers and settled in Vancouver, Seattle and Kent.

Washington has nine other non-legal holidays it recognizes in addition to federal holidays including Former Prisoner of War, Marcus Whitman, Mother Joseph and Civil Liberties Day of Remembrance.

SB 5166 now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

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