KOREAN-AMERICAN DAY

On 2026-01-12, Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10) delivered a floor speech titled "KOREAN-AMERICAN DAY" in the House. The speech addressed immigration and also covered healthcare, taxes.

KOREAN-AMERICAN DAY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 8 (Monday, January 12, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 8 (Monday, January 12, 2026)] [House] [Page H618] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] KOREAN-AMERICAN DAY (Mr. Subramanyam of Virginia was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Korean- American Day, a day to commemorate the first wave of Korean immigrants to the United States and honor the generations who have followed. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent a vibrant Korean-American community in Virginia, a community that has made incredible contributions across the country in government, business, technology, education, the arts, and more. Today is also a solemn reminder of the Korean-American families who remain divided as a result of the Korean war, including families in my district, whose stories I have heard firsthand. The Korean war separated thousands of families who have spent decades seeking reunification and closure, but I am proud to be championing bipartisan legislation that I introduced earlier this year to help accelerate the reunification of these families. This was recently signed into law, offering these families hope for a long overdue reunion. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to continuing to work with the Korean- American community in my district and across the country to make these reunions a reality, and I wish everyone a happy Korean-American Day. Immigration Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, my office has been working with so many constituents who have been harmed by the administration's new immigration policies, one of which placed a hold on immigration petitions and applications from 19 countries designated by the administration. In our district, families followed the law. They filed their paperwork and waited in good faith. They were told that their application was in good order and would be approved soon, and then the process completely stopped. Work permit applications were frozen, leaving people legally present but unable to work. Asylee and refugee family petitions have also been stalled. There are so many heartbreaking stories, like one hopeful couple in my office who has been trying to plan their wedding but remain separated while they wait. There is another person who has not been able to unite with their sons or daughters. These delays have been putting people's lives on hold indefinitely without any sort of timeline or transparency, and we must restore timely adjudication of these applications. Recognizing Fauquier Hospital Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, for the second year in a row, Fauquier Hospital has been named the Top General Hospital in the Nation. Fauquier Hospital has received an A grade for the last 18 months. It is recognized as a certified primary stroke center, and it has a 97-bed acute care hospital. Only 52 hospitals receive this honor every year, and we are glad to have Fauquier Hospital serving our community. Healthcare institutions around the country continue to face challenges, with cuts to Medicaid, the ACA tax credits expiring, and burned-out workforces that are asked to do more with less every single day. The Senate must take up the 3-year ACA tax credit extension to address healthcare costs. We must make sure that we restore Medicaid funding, or we risk losing hospitals like Fauquier Hospital. Working in healthcare is often a thankless job, and I hope the House will join me in thanking the nurses, doctors, and staff that keep hospitals like Fauquier Hospital running. Honoring Puller Veterans Care Center Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Puller Veterans Care Center on its grand opening on the historic grounds of the former Vint Hill Farms Station in Fauquier County. I am so excited about this center because it is going to deliver top-quality care to veterans in our region. Mr. Speaker, 128 private rooms are organized into households and neighborhoods around a central community center. The site actually played a decisive role during World War II in intercepting enemy communications, including the message that helped pave the way for the D-Day invasion of Normandy. It is fitting that a place that helped secure freedom will now serve those who fought to preserve it. The center appropriately honors the Puller family, including General Lewis ``Chesty'' Puller, one of the most decorated marines in our history; his son, Lieutenant Lewis Puller, Jr., a Vietnam veteran and a Pulitzer Prize-winning author; and former delegate and State Senator Toddy Puller. Mr. Speaker, congratulations to all who made this grand opening of the Puller Center a reality. ____________________