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Kimchi Day on November 22nd

February 7, 2022

Virginia House of Delegates Committee on Rules reports Kimchi Day bill 18-0.

 
H.J. 147, which designates November 22nd of each year as Kimchi Day in the Commonwealth, was introduced by freshman Delegate Irene Shin (D, VA-86), and its chief co-patron is Delegate Mark L. Keam (D, VA-35) along with Delegates David L. Bulova, Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler, and Marcus B. Simon. The bill’s Senate patron is Senator J. Chapman Petersen.
 
Several Korean Americans testified on behalf of the resolution, including Ms. Frances Kang, Digital Marketing Manager, Council of Korean Americans: Dr. John S. Kim, former President of the Korean American Society of Greater Richmond; and Mrs. Serena H. Kim, Director, Korean Food Globalization Committee of North America.
 
The effort to designate Kimchi Day across the DMV is spearheaded by Mihae Kim Stefani, whose Northern Virginia marketing and communications firm supports a variety of public relations initiatives that highlight the increasing popularity of Korean food and food products across the U.S. Stefani praised Virginia delegates Shin and Keam for their extraordinary efforts in support of Kimchi Day, noting that the Korean American community will be honored to officially celebrate the ancient Korean tradition of kimjang, or kimchi-making, along with Koreans and other members of the Korean diaspora around the globe.
 
The Republic of Korea initiated the celebration of Kimchi Day on November 22nd, a date that reflects the 11 main ingredients of kimchi and the 22 alleged health benefits of consuming Kimchi.
 
California was the first U.S. state to enact a Kimchi Day in 2021, and similar resolutions are expected to be introduced in New York, New Jersey, and Maryland.