Holden was first elected to the 10th District seat in 1987 and became a key supporter of Korean American businesses. During the early 1990s recession, he worked to help Korean business owners obtain alcohol sales permits, expanding the cityโs license scope beyond beer and wine to include spirits such as soju. He also led efforts to extend restaurant operating hours from midnight to 2 a.m., helping to boost local commerce.
Bill Robinson, chair of the Wilshire CenterโKoreatown Neighborhood Council (WCKNC) and a former aide to Holden from 1989 to 1995, highlighted Holdenโs commitment: โHe not only helped with liquor permits but also supported Korean restaurants in securing business licenses.โ Robinson added that Holden was instrumental in creating Seoul International Park and the Pio PicoโKoreatown Library, describing him as โa man who kept every promise.โ
The Los Angeles Times also reported Holdenโs passing, calling him a pivotal force in Koreatownโs business revival. The outlet noted that his support prompted many Korean business owners to back his campaigns, with Korean American voters accounting for 25% of his campaign contributions between 1991 and 1994.
Holdenโs strong ties with the Korean American community helped secure his four election victories from 1987 to 2003, tying him with Guy Vernon Bennettย as one of the longest-serving councilmembers for the 10th District.
Steve Kang, chair of the LA Board of Public Works, emphasized Holdenโs lasting influence: โHe was one of the first LA councilmembers to hire a Korean American aide (Steve Kim) and played a pivotal role in building Korean American political influence. He was the first to actively address Korean American constituentsโ concerns at City Hall.โ
Born in 1929 in Macon, Georgia, Holden also left a legislative legacy at the state level. In 1974, he helped pass Californiaโs anti-redlining law, banning discrimination by financial institutions based on race, religion, or gender. He also championed legislation to make Martin Luther King Jr.โs birthday an official holiday in California public schools.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
