Senator Avella’s Bill Designating May as Korean American Month Passes Senate

Queens, NY   -   Last week, State Senator Tony Avella’s bill (S.3580) designating May as Korean American Month passed the senate with a vote of 60-0 and now awaits action in the Assembly where Assemblymember Edward Braunstein carries the Assembly companion of the bill.

In Korean culture, May is celebrated as “Family Month”, with several days of celebration. Children’s Day, celebrated on May 5th, became a national holiday in Korea in 1975 so that parents could strengthen their bond with their children by spending time together on that day.

Since 1973, Koreans have celebrated Parents’ Day on the 8th, when parents are traditionally presented a red carnation and gifts. Ceremonies are usually held on this day to recognize sons and daughters who have provided exemplary care and services to their parents and the elderly.

While not blood relatives, teachers are honored and held in tremendous admiration in Korean culture. Students are taught early on to treat their teachers with dignity and respect. May 15th is designated as Teachers’ Day to honor this relationship.

The Korean community in New York State has continued to honor these traditions. Events and ceremonies are held every year in May for these special days of honor. With over 153,000 Korean Americans living in New York, Avella felt the Korean community’s rich culture should be celebrated by having New York State observe May as Korean American Month.

“In Korean culture, several holidays are meant to celebrate and cultivate family values throughout the month of May, earning May the appropriate title of ‘Family Month’. These traditions are still widely celebrated here in New York, where a thriving Korean community has continued to observe the May holidays. The Korean community has provided so much to New York, it makes sense for New York to pay respect to their traditional month by observing May as Korean American Month. I am proud that my bill establishing Korean American Month for the month of May has passed the Senate and hope that the Assembly will soon pass their companion bill before the end of session,” said State Senator Tony Avella.