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Good Evening, Mr. Mayor Jim Ferrell, Council President Ms.
Honda and Honorable Council members,
Thank you for inviting me to this meaningful event today. I am pleased to see you, though virtually. I am especially honored to witness in person how well the democracy is working here in the city of Federal Way.
For we Koreans, the US is a land of hope and opportunity.
Koreans have immigrated to the US with big and high dreams. By extension, I was congratulated much on being posted to Seattle as consul-general, even if career diplomats like me are not immigrants. We feel very close especially to the Pacific Northwest including Federal Way in terms of the geographic distance, human and natural environments.
During the 4 months since I came here, I had some chances to briefly visit Federal Way, wondering what brought many Koreans into the city. Of course, the city of Federal Way has modern and attractive appearances.
Today I got the answer to my question. I can feel your warm, kind, compassionate leadership toward the Korean community. I can also see how diverse and inclusive the city is by having Mr. Michael Park as one of the first Korean American Mayor and Mr. Andy Hwang as the first Korean American Chief of Police in the US.
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Since the unfortunate shooting tragedy in Atalanta last month, most of our attentions have been drawn to hate, racism against Asian American community. Such hate, such racism is not American. No excuse such as Covid 19 or model minority stereotype. can be justified. It is the rotten apple that spoils the barrel.
Today’s Proclamation sends a clear and strong message we all belong to the same American society. It also shows firm determination any discrimination should not be tolerated based on race or ethnicity. There has been and will be no room for hate here in the Federal Way.
The Korean community feels very much appreciative of your commitment and assurance. The trust and partnership that already exist between the city authorities and the Korean community would be further enhanced.
Communications and interactions would be further increased. Your sincere support today would make the Korean community come much closer to the city when they are subject to direct and indirect assault on them.
Furthermore, the Korean community would be more forthcoming in collaborating with you to make a better, more just and more equitable society. In this regard, we appreciate your efforts to communicate with the Korean community on a quarterly basis since 1992.
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On another note, the recent series of incidents across the US has awakened Korean Americans to another identity as Asian Americans. Sometimes as Korean Americans, sometimes as Asian Americans, we can contribute to the city progressing to a society that is economically more prosperous, culturally more diverse and socially more cohesive.
Finally, I appreciate the city of Federal Way for taking the leadership in announcing this Proclamation, I think, it is the first of its kind among local governments in WA state.
Thank you to the city for your unwavering commitment to the well-being and safety of your residents including the Korean community and AAPI （Asian American Pacific Islander） and BIPOC community.
I hope our sincere thanks can be conveyed to you once again when we see each other soon. Thank you.
