Asian Fortune Your source for all things Asian American
By Jennie L. Ilustre
Washington, D.C.–House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (CA) and Majority Leader Eric Cantor led fellow legislators at a Republican Meetup with Korean Americans, celebrating the strong 60-year alliance of the United States and South Korea.
They joined other Republican Members of Congress in emphasizing that the two nations and peoples share the same values of freedom and free enterprise, and reiterated their firm commitment to work for human rights in North Korea.
Cantor, the event’s major speaker, said the strong alliance between the two countries is based on “a shared democracy, in the hope for freedom and prosperity.” He stressed, “We are a country of laws. We are a people of tolerance. We understand freedom to pursue our goals and to practice our faith.”
Korean Ambassador to the US Ahn Ho-Young said, “We owe our strong relations with the US to the exchange of peoples in our countries,” adding the two nations share the same concern for freedom in North Korea.
Over 500 Korean American leaders, pastors and young interns attended the Meetup on July 17, held at the US Capitol (Congress). Following the Meeutp, the Korean Americans held their annual rally at noon on the Capitol lawn, protesting human rights violations by North Korea.
Chairman Royce and House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA) were the hosts of the Meetup. “The close US-South Korea relationship, forged 60 years ago, remains strong and vibrant,” said Royce.
He added, “The United States and my home state of California in particular, home to the largest Korean-American population, has been enriched and defined in many ways by Korean Americans’ achievements.”
Chairman Royce said his goal, shared by other lawmakers, is to renew “the US-North Korea nuclear agreement, which is set to expire next year.” Later in her remarks, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen pointed out: “What a strong ally South Korea is for peace and commerce! South Korea proves that democracy and a free market economy can go hand in hand.”
Other speakers were Congressman John Mica (FL), Congressman Steve Stockman (TX), Congressman Ted Poe (TX), Congressman Scott Perry (PA), Congressman Scott Garett (NJ), Congressman Rob Woodall (Georgia), Congressman Phil Roe (TN), Congressman David Schweikert and Congressman Tim Griffin.
Elections
As a result of the Asian American and Hispanic American lopsided vote for Democrats in the November elections–and with the 2014 midterm and the 2016 presidential elections in the horizon–Republicans have been focusing on an initiative to better engage with community leaders across the country. The Meetup is one of the programs. Earlier last month, House Republicans welcomed over 700 Vietnamese Americans.
Georgia Representative B. J. Pak, the event emcee, said before the program: “Korean Americans and Republicans are churchgoers, we have the same family values, and we are helping the country economically, being in small business–reasons that Korean Americans should align with the Republican Party. It’s in the messaging where we have to do a better job.”
The Meetup included a plenary session, with Members of the US Congress addressing the Korean American community on relevant policy and legislation. It also featured breakout sessions and the opportunity for Korean Americans to meet directly with individual Members of Congress. Chair Rodgers said, “It is imperative we have this dialogue and come together to work on the issues that affect us all as Americans.”
Among the Meetup leaders were Rev. Won Sanglee, pastor of the Korean Central Presbyterian Church, who gave the Invocation; Rev. Peter I. sohn of the Korean Churches Coalition, and Heemin Park, pastor of the Young Nak Church based in L.A., the nation’s largest with 10,000 members.
Reverend Sohn said all “must unite as one” in the goal of obtaining human rights in North Korea. He remarked: “We must call the attention of the world and awaken world opinion, and we also need the political will.”
Highlights of Remarks by GOP Lawmakers
In their speeches, Republican members of the House of Representatives in the 113th US Congress underscored the strong alliance of the two nations, and voiced strong support for human rights in North Korea. Following are the highlights from their remarks.
Congressman John Mica (FL): My grandparents were all Italians, and who would have thought that they would produce two Members of Congress? My two brothers are Democrats–they went a little bit astray…Thank you for coming here and we encourage you to be active in the Republican Party, in the political process…if you want to participate in the local level (or national level). That’s what makes this country great.
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL): I’m a refugee from Communist Cuba. I know what it’s like to live in an oppressed land, and in freedom. You would always choose freedom…The congressman from Texas told you it has the best barbecue. But the best Cuban food is in my district. Please come to Miami.
Congressman Tim Griffin, (Arkansas): We want the best and the brightest in the workforce for the US. We need your genius, your brilliance, your innovation in science and math.
Congressman Scott Garett (NJ): Immigration reform is at the forefront of our constituent services. I stand side by side with you on this issue.
Congressman Rob Woodall (Georgia): How many were born here? Raise your hands. Take advantage of the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. You could be the next Korean American senator or the next representative.
Congressman Ted Poe (TX): Ambassador Ho-Young is doing an excellent job…Junior (referring to the current North Korean president) wants to send an Inter-Continental Ballistics Missile to Austin, Texas. That bothers me a little bit. He should not do that. He doesn’t want to make Texans angry.
Congressman Steve Stockman (TX): We are joined here in the celebration of freedom. It’s so sad to see the difference between freedom and aggression. Free North Korea!
Congressman Phil Roe (TN): I was a soldier. I am proud of that service (in the fight for freedom).
Congressman David Schweikert (AZ): Do you have this frustration that Washington is not doing its job? How many of you have walked into a bank (to ask for a loan) and to be told No? Have you heard of our service program in the Internet…We’re gonna raise money for our community. We’ll have associations to finance the business community.
Congressman Scott Perry (PA): We have a shared relationship, shared vision of freedom.
