RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the contributions made by the Korean-Americans community to Chicago can not be understated; and
WHEREAS, dedicated to not only giving back to their own community, but also advancing people of all backgrounds, Korean-Americans have made tremendous impacts across many ields, including business, government, and social service; and
WHEREAS, committed to also spreading awareness about human rights issues, and assuring that all people are respected, the Korean-American community has taken upon itself to educate and commemorate an important part of the past, advancing the awareness of "comfort women'1 in World War II; and
WHEREAS, during World War II, across Asian approximately 200,000 women and girls were taken or coerced from their homes, often under false promises of employment, and forced into prostitution by the Imperial Japanese Army; and
WHEREAS, although "comfort women" came from all over Asia, and in some cases, Europe, many were Korean women and girls; and
WHEREAS, rather than avoid the complicated and horrific memory of these events, the Korean-American community has been committed to keeping the memory of these women alive as well as taking measures to raise awareness to ensure that a human rights violation of this scale never occurs again, and the Korean-American community of Chicago calls upon the Chicago. Public Schools to take action toward educating students about this issue when covering the topic of World War II; and
WHEREAS, in anticipation of the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, in an effort to educate all on the abuses suffered by women and girls during the time, the Korean American Community has made great strides in raising awareness, lobbying governments to pass legislation condemning human trafficking and re-committing preservation of human rights, and organizing a memorial dedication in Chicago to the memory of "comfort women"; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council of Chicago recognizes and condemns all human rights violations, including the use of "comfort women" during WWII by acknowledging the suffering endured during forced internment in Japanese military comfort stations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City Council of Chicago recognizes the efforts of the Korean-American community of Chicago to fairly, openly and diligently memorialize the memory of "comfort women", and applaud their efforts to continue to educate and raise awareness of this issue.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Korean-American community.
Alderman Margaret Laurino