[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 11, 2019)]
[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.

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