Korean Amerasians to Celebrate 29th Anniversary of Act which gave them opportunity in the land of their fathers.

Members of the Hanmi Amerasian Association of the USA are proud of their heritage?both sides of it. Most were born of Korean mothers and American fathers who served in Korea during the war there in the 1950s. Although they had to suffer prejudice growing up in Korea as a children of ?mixed blood,' they appreciate both their Korean heritage and are grateful for the chance to live in the land of their fathers. In 1982 the Amerasian Act provided for immigration to United States of certain Amerasian children, born between December 31, 1950 and October 22, 1982 to American fathers and mothers in Korea, as well as in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, or Vietnam.

The Hanmi Amerasian Association, explains its president, Mr. Victor Barbato, is a fellowship of Korean Amerasians living in the United States. With over 350 members, the association plans to celebrate the 29th anniversary of the Amerasian Act at their Annual Social and Networking gathering in Los Angeles CA. on May 24, 2009. Mr. Barbato notes that most members of the group, while proud of their Korean roots, are also grateful for the chance to work and provide a life for their families in the United States. He came to the U.S. in Mineapolis MN and moved to Derwood, Maryland in 2005. He and his wife Jennifer, who is also Amerasian, have two children who grew up in the U.S.

There are many different stories, but the members of the Hanmi Amerasian Association share the bonds of common experience, both of facing prejudice and of being given the opportunity to provide a better life for themselves and their families.

Many have been very successful in their adopted homeland, and the Association includes many members who own their own businesses. "We did not come here to seek welfare," Mr. Barbato says, "but to have a chance to use our talents and make our contribution to society."

Straddling two cultures is not easy. Some members of the Association speak only broken English, while others are fluent in both English and Korean.

They relish the foods they grew up with, but also have adapted to American foods. The Barbato family may have a lunch which includes pizza served with kim chee, Korean spiced cabbage.

They see a blessing in the opportunity to share the riches of both cultures with their children and American society.

The Association welcomes those with Amerasian roots as well as others interested in their story. Their website is http://www.haausa.org/.

They can also be reached at Hanmi Amerasian Association of the USA,

16717 Briardale Road, Derwood, Maryland, 20855.

Their phone number is (240) 252-0601

For more information, contact Mr. Victor Barbato,   haavic@gmail.com.