[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 73 (Monday, May 7, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                      REMEMBERING LARRY LEONG HONG

 Ms. DUCKWORTH. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the remarkable life of Larry Leong Hong, who passed away peacefully on 
April 20, 2018, surrounded by his loving family.
  Born in China in 1922, his family immigrated to Burma when he was an 
infant, to seek better fortune. Larry was the oldest son of six 
children; he had three sisters and two brothers. His family sent him 
back to China to get his schooling and to learn about his heritage and 
his culture. At age 13, shortly after he returned home to Burma, he 
left to seek a better future for himself and for his family. He came by 
himself to America, to the Golden Mountain, where it was believed the 
streets were paved with gold.
  In 1935, when he arrived in America, he found no streets paved in 
gold bricks. Instead, he found a country in the grips of the Great 
Depression, and life was hard. But that did not deter him. He worked 
hard at the family restaurant. Larry learned the value of hard work, 
determination, and self-sufficiency. He worked in the restaurant until 
the clarion call of World War II. In 1942 Larry joined the war effort, 
working at a factory as an engine lathe operator and was promoted to be 
an inspector until he was called to serve. Larry--also known as Wing Q. 
Hong--was inducted into the Army of the United States on March 2, 1943. 
He was an infantryman and rose to TEC 4 as a cook. He served in the 
European theater, landing with his regiment in Normandy and went on to 
serve in Ardennes-Rhineland, Northern France, and Central Europe, 
serving as the acting mess sergeant for the officers. He was honorably 
discharged on October 19, 1945. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal 
AR 600-68 and the EAMETO Medal with one Silver Service Star. This 
patriotic and hard-working immigrant started a tradition of service to 
his country. All of his descendants and their spouses served this 
Nation, either in Active Duty as members of the military or as 
civilians. Upon discharge, Larry returned to civilian life and went 
back to the restaurant business. Two years after his discharge from the 
Army, his only son, Kenneth, was born.
  He met the love of his life, Annette Moy, at the restaurant in which 
they both worked, and they were married in 1942. This was a love affair 
that lasted for almost 62 years, until his beloved wife passed in 
January of 2000. Even though Larry came to America by himself, as a 
young teen, when he married Annette, he married into the Moy Clan--very 
large, very tight-knit, and very loving family. He learned through 
Annette the value and the strong bonds of family. Larry was devoted to 
his immediate and extended family. He was generous, strong, dependable, 
and stable. He and his wife were the anchor for their very large 
family.
  The family took every opportunity to gather together, whether it was 
to celebrate a holiday, to celebrate a special milestone or just to get 
together for a picnic. They were fun, and of course these gatherings 
always featured good food. Each weekend the extended family came 
together at one of the sisters' house to play mah-jongg, while the 
young children went to sleep to the sound of the click-clicking of the 
mah-jongg game. Larry loved good Chinese food; he especially loved 
lobster and Chinese-style chicken.
  Larry was a fighter. He met several challenges throughout his life, 
and each time he fought it--and he won. His love of family, his love of 
food, his strength, and his fighting spirit will be missed.
  Larry is survived by his son, Kenneth Leong Hong--wife Belkis--of 
Gaithersburg, MD, and his only granddaughter, Denise Williams--husband 
Dan--of National Harbor, MD.

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