[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 93 (Friday, June 29, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1246-E1247]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         IN HONOR OF ANDREW KIM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 28, 2001

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Andrew Kim on the occasion 
of his installation as president of the almost half million member 
Korean American Association of Greater New York and the obstacles that 
he had to overcome to attain such a prestigious position.
  Mr. Kim has overcome many personal obstacles that others might have 
stumbled upon. Contracting Polio in his native Republic of South Korea, 
Mr. Kim was stigmatized and labeled as ``unlucky.'' In fact, Mr. Kim is 
self-educated because he chose to cut short his formal education as he 
saw it as a burden to his parents. Mr. Kim was also denied employment 
because of his disability and therefore found himself with a unique 
opportunity to found his own electronic repair shop. Mr. Kim, 
fascinated with America, studied for a test that would allow him to 
immigrate and have a job.
  Mr. Kim is a firm believer in the American dream. America offered 
Andrew Kim a fresh start away from the cultural attitudes of South 
Korea. Mr. Kim worked his way up in New York going from job to job.
  Mr. Kim is also a devoted husband and father. He married his wife 
Theresa two years after coming to America. Together they have three 
children.

[[Page E1247]]

  Mr. Kim's biggest business success has come in the form of his Lisa 
Page store, a leading cell phone and pager retailer. Working in a 
diverse neighborhood has encouraged Mr. Kim to learn the numerous 
languages of his customers, which has led to him being a major 
community resource. Mr. Kim has donated uniforms for a softball team in 
his neighborhood and all the kids on the team respect Mr. Kim for his 
involvement and mentoring. In fact, after they won a trophy, the 
presented it to Mr. Kim as a token of their appreciation for all that 
he does in the community.
  Mr. Kim has enjoyed growing recognition throughout the community, 
which has led him to become more involved in the community. He served 
as president of the Korean American Association of Mid-Queens. He 
recently found himself in a tough election campaign for president of 
the Korean American Association of Greater New York, where he was once 
again faced with many of the stigmas that he had left South Korea to 
escape. Nonetheless, Mr. Kim was able to overcome and win the 
prestigious post.
  Mr. Speaker, Andrew Kim has overcome many obstacles in his life to 
become the president of a half million-member organization. For these 
achievements, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today 
as he is awarded a truly hard-earned honor. I hope that all of my 
colleagues will join me in honoring this truly remarkable man.

                          ____________________