Legislation

Virginia General Assembly - 2017 Session

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 793
Offered January 19, 2017
Designating September 4, in 2017 and in each succeeding year, as Taekwondo Day in Virginia.
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Patrons-- Hugo and Keam
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, Taekwondo is a nonaggressive system of self-defense and self-discipline that has become one of the world’s most popular and successful martial arts while preserving the culture and traditions of the Korean people; and

WHEREAS, officially developed as a unified style of martial arts in the 1950s, the roots of Taekwondo stretch back nearly 5,000 years, incorporating elements of many traditional Korean martial arts; and

WHEREAS, as a martial arts style, Taekwondo is characterized by head-height kicks, jumping and spinning kicks, fast kicks, and other techniques; students swear an oath to respect coaches and superiors, to stand up for freedom and justice, to cooperate in the creation of a more peaceful world, and to never misuse Taekwondo; and

WHEREAS, Taekwondo cultivates mental strength as well as physical fitness and teaches students to use knowledge as well as internal power; students learn the Taekwondo tenets of courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit; and

WHEREAS, Taekwondo was featured as a demonstration event at the Games of the XXIV Olympiad in Seoul in 1988, and since 2000, Taekwondo has been one of only two Asian martial arts included as a medal event in the Olympic Games; and

WHEREAS, men and women of all ages, races, and creeds throughout the Commonwealth build strong character and pursue self-fulfillment through good discipline by practicing Taekwondo; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly designate September 4, in 2017 and in each succeeding year, as Taekwondo Day in Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit a copy of this resolution to Byung-Kon Cho so that members of the Taekwondo community in the Commonwealth may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates post the designation of this day on the General Assembly’s website.