Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington

Floor Speech

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Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th Anniversary of the Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington.

The Korean Community Service Center (KCSC) of Greater Washington was founded in 1974 by a pastor and his congregation who made a commitment to provide basic transportation and interpretation and translation assistance to newly arrived visitors and immigrants from Korea. This group of individuals also assisted the newcomers with rent for their apartments, set up phone and utility services, and enrolled their kids in school.

Over the decades, KCSC grew and evolved into the largest bilingual and bicultural Korean social service agency in the D.C. metropolitan area. KCSC also began providing services to other Asian immigrant communities living in the metro D.C. area. The organization has served more than 150,000 Asian American immigrant families since it was founded and currently provides services to about 1,000 Asian Americans a month.

Their mission is to assist and empower Asian Americans and new immigrants to become well-adjusted and fully contributing members of the United States through social services, education, advocacy, and development of resources. Offerings such as case management, immigration legal services, housing counseling, comprehensive victims' services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and dating violence, and more help KCSC fulfill their mission every day.

This organization actively serves our community members and strives to improve the overall quality of life for individuals and families. Over the past five decades, KCSC has adapted and changed to meet the changing needs of the Asian American community. With culturally and linguistically sensitive services and programs, clients can feel safe and comfortable at KCSC.

Throughout the lifetime of this organization, volunteers and staff from KCSC have strived to deliver effective, efficient, and accountable services. Their successes over the years are truly successes for the region as a whole. Our diversity is our greatest strength, and KCSC has allowed countless individuals to feel safe and supported here in Northern Virginia.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Korean Community Center of Greater Washington on 50 years of service. KCSC, and other groups of service- minded individuals, are why Northern Virginia is an incredible place to live, work, and play. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding the staff, volunteers, and supporters of this remarkable organization.

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