[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 78 (Friday, June 16, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO KUM-OK KIM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 15, 2006

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Kum-Ok Kim, a 
distinguished member of the Brooklyn, NY business and civic 
communities. It behooves us to pay tribute to this outstanding leader 
and I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing his impressive 
accomplishments.
  Mr. Kum-Ok Kim was born in Bo-Ryong City, ChungChung Province, Korea. 
He came to the United States in1981, and started a fruits and 
vegetables business at Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn in 1989. Mr. Kim, a 
Korean-American citizen, was ordained in 1996.
  A member of several community organizations, Mr. Kim held many 
leadership positions such as: chairman of the board of the ChungChung 
Province Association of Eastern U.S.A. in 1997; vice president of the 
Korean Sports Association of New York; chairman of the Supporting 
Committee for Governor George E. Pataki, and director of the Korean-
American Youth Foundation from 1995 to 2005.
  Mr. Kim served 4 years, two terms, as president of the Korean-
American Brooklyn Association, New York, Inc., a not for profit (501-
c3) community-based organization, which was first established in April 
1984, in order to reflect its wider civic role in providing outreach 
services to families and individuals. As president of the Korean-
American Brooklyn Association, New York, Inc., Mr. Kim has been 
instrumental in assisting not only within the Korean community of 
Brooklyn, but other communities at large to contribute to the further 
developing relationships of an enlightened, healthy Korean-American 
community and culture, and to promote better understanding, friendship 
and cooperation with other ethnic groups in the greater New York area.
  Mr. Kim planned and organized a free citizenship assistance and basic 
English program for Korean-American Brooklyn residents, developed an 
assistance program for the Korean-American Teacher Association, created 
seminars for small business owners that were sponsored by the New York 
State Attorney General, and developed a relief fund for flood victims 
in Korea. Every year on Thanksgiving day, under the supervision of the 
Brooklyn Borough President, Mr. Kim, along with several religious 
organizations and at least 28 community groups, participates in feeding 
the homeless at a help center and in the Brooklyn Toy Drive for 
Brooklyn Borough President's children's Christmas party.
  Mr. Kim has been the recipient of numerous awards for his 
contributions to his community including citations from the Brooklyn 
Borough President and a State Senator Commemoration Award, and the 
Korean-American Community Service Awards.
  Mr. Kim is a dedicated, loving husband and father. He resides with 
his wife Monica, sons Daniel and Joseph and daughters Tailer and Do-
Kyung.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is incumbent on this body to recognize 
the accomplishments of Kum-Ok Kim as he offers his talents and 
philanthropic services for the betterment of our community.
  Mr. Speaker, Kum-Ok Kim's selfless service has continuously 
demonstrated a level of altruistic dedication that makes him most 
worthy of our recognition today.

                          ____________________