The first-ever White House reception for Chuseok, the Korean autumn harvest celebration, is under way at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington on Tuesday. (Yonhap)
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris celebrated Chuseok, the Korean equivalent of Thanksgiving Day, in a message stressing Korean Americans’ cultural heritage and contributions to the United States, as the first-ever White House Chuseok reception took place Tuesday.
Some 100 Korean Americans, U.S. officials and others gathered at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building for the event that was made possible under an initiative spearheaded by former and current Korean American White House officials.
The reception came as the social and political influence of Asian Americans has been on the rise at a time when Harris and her Republican rival, Donald Trump, are in a close race for the White House with the general election less than seven weeks away.
“Rooted in more than a millennium of traditions and customs, Chuseok reminds us not only of the rich heritage of the Korean community but also of the universal bonds that unite people all around the world,” Biden said in a written message distributed at the reception.
“We all come from somewhere, but we’re all Americans. Whether your family has been here for generations, or you immigrated to the United States yourself, each of you has woven the vibrancy, culture and contributions of the Korean community into the tapestry of our country,” he added.
He also expressed optimism for America’s future, saying the course of its history has been charted by “ordinary people doing extraordinary things.”
“Today, as you mark Chuseok by sharing food, drinks, laughter and memories at the People’s House, I am proud to send you my best wishes,” he said.
Harris stressed that Korean Americans have been a “vital part of the fabric of our nation for hundreds of years.”
“As we celebrate this beautiful tradition, we remember our history and look ahead toward building a more prosperous world for all those who will come after us,” she said in a separate message.
“As you all know, when we uplift the diverse identities, experiences and traditions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, we forge a path where vibrancy and cultural richness are at the forefront of a brighter future,” she added.
The reception was organized by the White House, the Council of Korean Americans and the Korean American Community Foundation. It was attended by prominent Korean Americans and U.S. officials. (Yonhap)
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