Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Freeway Sign Re-Installation Press Conference with Assembly Member Santiago and Community Partners

For immediate release:

• Jaspreet Johl
• (916) 335-8871
• [email protected]

(Los Angeles, CA) - Assembly Member Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) and community partners earlier today held a press conference to celebrate the re-installation of two freeway signs for Dosan Anh Chang Ho commemorating his work fighting for Korean independence. The signs were installed Monday, October 21 and are located at the Eastbound I-10 Hoover Ramp and Southbound SR-110 between Pico and Venice (there are four signs in that area, including the two re-installed ones). Assembly Member Santiago's District office helped coordinate the sign re-installation after a report was filed at https://csr.dot.ca.gov/ which anyone can use to report trash, graffiti or damage on or near a freeway in California.

VIEW PRESS CONFERENCE FOOTAGE HERE:

"This sign emobodies the spirit and work Dosan Ahn Chang Ho brought to the U.S. He represents cultural pride and supporting your community and neighbors," said Assembly Member Miguel Santiago. "If you drive by the sign and look up Dosan, you will learn more about our hero who teaches us values and shows leadership that we all look for. I am proud of the work my District team did working with our community partners to make this happen to commemorate Dosan's legacy."

"Caltrans really appreciates the opportunity to partner with the Korean community and the Assemblymember's District office," said Hammer Sui, Assistant Maintenance Deputy District Director of Caltrans Field Operations. "We look forward to more opportunities to serve all communities in California."

"I want to applaud Assemblymember Miguel Santiago and CalTrans for restoring the Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Freeway Signage in Downtown Los Angeles," said Steve Kang, the Executive Vice President of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles. "Dosan represents the best within the Korean American community and his legacy will be preserved. I especially want to thank the Assembly District 54 staff lead by Mark Gonzalez for helping to make today possible."

"Dosan was one of the first Korean Americans who came here to the US to start a new life. He did so many great things for both the people living in the US and in Korea at the time," said Jonathan Park, Vice President of Dosan Memorial Foundation of Americas. "Having landmarks like these freeway signs and Dosan's family house near USC allow people to look Dosan up and learn more about what he did. These signs are not only for the Korean American community, but for people from all colors and backgrounds in Los Angeles."

Dosan Ahn Chang Ho was an instrumental figure in the work for Korean independence. Not only was his wife and him the first Koreans to legally immigrate to the U.S. as a married couple, he also founded the Korean independence organization Shinminhoe and is even viewed as a writer of the South Korean National Anthem. The installation of the highway sign will commemorate his legacy and dedication to not only Korea but also the Korean American community.

Newly installed freeway signs.

Assembly Member Miguel Santiago is the Assistant Assembly Majority Leader. He serves on the Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism Committee, the Health Committee, and the Utilities & Energy Committee. He represents the 54th District composed of the cities of Los Angeles, Commerce, Montebello, and Vernon.

###