Whereas Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that developed through thousands of years of Korean history;

Whereas the origins of Taekwondo are rooted in the ancient kingdom of Koguryo with the defense martial art known as Subak or Taekkyon;

Whereas the word taekwondo is composed of 3 parts: tae, meaning foot or to step on, kwon, meaning fist or fight and do, meaning the way or discipline;

Whereas, while both hands and feet are used in taekwondo, the sport is characterized by its unique combination of kick movements;

Whereas, in addition to sporting and self-defense skills, Taekwondo also provides health benefits, including flexibility, stamina, strength and posture;

Whereas Taekwondo also emphasizes mental discipline and character through the Taekwondo tenets of courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit;

Whereas, in 1973, the World Taekwondo Federation was founded as the official governing body over Taekwondo;

Whereas, in 2008, South Korea designated September 4 as International Taekwondo Day in recognition of the day Taekwondo became an Olympic sport on September 4, 1994;

Whereas, today, Taekwondo is practiced worldwide by 80,000,000 people of all ages and backgrounds;

Whereas the title of grandmaster is reserved for the highest-ranking, most experienced, and most respected Taekwondo practitioners; and

Whereas Taekwondo and its grandmasters provide numerous physical and mental benefits to many people across the United States: Now, therefore, be it