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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING SUNNY SUNG-IN KIM
______
HON. JOE WILSON
of south carolina
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, Sunny Sung-In Kim, 68,
died on Sunday, June 9, 2019 at Sunrise at Fair Oaks in Fairfax,
Virginia following a three-year battle with an aggressive meningioma.
His final days were spent surrounded by his loving family, especially
his five beloved grandchildren who serenaded him with music, song and
laughter. Sunny was born on November 16, 1950 in Pusan, Korea during
the Korean War. He enlisted in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps,
graduated basic training with the 218th Class and served from 1969 to
1972, having achieved the rank of Lance Corporal.
He emigrated to the United States in 1973, became a naturalized
citizen and on May 11, 1975, he married the love of his life, Susan
Bok-Ja Kim in Long Island, New York. Their wedding was officiated by
the Reverend Dr. Young-Kyo Hahn (1902-1982), an historically renowned
Korean Christian Scholar and civic leader who was a former Dean of the
College and Graduate School at Yonsei University. Dr. Hahn led Sunny
and his wife into the Christian faith, the Presbyterian Church and
baptized them. Together the couple had two sons. In 1986, Sunny founded
and was President of Grass Roots, Inc., a food service and catering
business with multiple locations in the Financial District of Boston,
Massachusetts. He retired to Haymarket, Virginia to be near his sons
and grandchildren after nearly three decades of running the company
together with his wife.
Sunny had a lifelong passion of service to his community and served
as President of the Korean American Association of New England and the
Secretary-General of the Federation of Korean Associations, U.S.A. He
was also instrumental in galvanizing support for the creation of the
Massachusetts Korean War Veterans Memorial at the Charlestown Naval
Shipyard. Having never forgotten the 36,574 U.S. soldiers, sailors,
airmen and Marines that paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect and
defend freedom during the Korean War when he was born, he dedicated his
life to honoring all Korean War veterans and their families. For his
contributions to the U.S.-Korea alliance and the Korean American
community, Sunny was the recipient of a Presidential Commendation by
the President of the Republic of Korea.
An active member of the Korean Presbyterian Church in Greater Boston
where he was an ordained Elder, Sunny's deep and abiding Christian
faith was the foundation of his family. He instilled in his sons the
virtues of generosity, graciousness and a heart of gratitude. An avid
sports enthusiast, he was a devoted fan of the Washington Redskins and
the Boston Red Sox. In the final years of his life, nothing brought him
greater joy than cheering on his grandchildren while watching them play
football, lacrosse and baseball.
Sunny is survived by his wife of 44 years, Susan Bok-Ja Kim, his sons
Thomas (Nancy) and James (Susan) and his grandchildren Thomas ``TJ''
Kim, Rachel Kim, Samuel Kim, William Kim and Henry Kim. A Memorial
Service will be held on Wednesday, June 12 at Fairfax Memorial Funeral
Home, 9902 Braddock Road Fairfax, VA 22032 at 7:00PM. The Burial
Service will be held on Thursday, June 13 at Fairfax Memorial Park,
9900 Braddock Road Fairfax, VA 22032 at 10:00AM. Memorials may be
directed to the Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall of Remembrance in
Washington, D.C. or to Open Door Presbyterian Church in Herndon,
Virginia.
____________________