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Senate committee hears bill to set January 13 as Korean American Day in Maryland
Summary
Sen. Clarence Lam introduced SB 165 to establish January 13 as Korean American Day in statute, recognizing the community's contributions and replacing prior executive‑order designations.
Senator Clarence Lam introduced Senate Bill 165 to the Education, Energy and Environment Committee to recognize January 13 as Korean American Day in Maryland statute. Lam said governors from both parties have signed executive orders declaring the day in prior years and the bill would place the observance into state law.
"This date obviously holds particular significance to this community...it marks the arrival of pioneering Korean immigrants in the United States," Sen. Clarence Lam said, urging the committee's support and acknowledging several community groups present at the hearing, including the Korean Society of Maryland, Korean American Foundation of Greater Washington, Korean American Senior Citizens Association of Maryland, and others.
Lam noted the Baltimore–Washington area is home to more than 30,000 people of Korean descent in Maryland and cited the community's contributions in medicine, science, the arts and military service. He said the U.S. Congress had previously passed a resolution supporting a national Korean American Day and that codifying the day in state law would make the observance independent of gubernatorial proclamations.
Committee members asked no substantive questions and the chair closed the hearing. No vote took place.
