[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 99 (Thursday, June 13, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING MR. SUNNY SUNG-IN KIM

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 13, 2019

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to 
announce the passing of a valued member of our community. Sunny Sung-In 
Kim passed away on June 9, 2019 surrounded by his loved ones. 
Throughout his life he exhibited a constant devotion to his family, his 
Christian faith and the relationship between the United States of 
America and his native Korea.
   Born on November 16, 1950 in Pusan, Korea during the Korean War, 
Sunny enlisted in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps as soon as he was 
eligible to do so. He served from 1969 to 1972, achieving the rank of 
Lance Corporal. He emigrated to the United States in 1973 and became a 
naturalized citizen. On May 11, 1975, he married the love of his life, 
Susan Bok-Ja Kim in Long Island, New York and together raised their 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. In addition to his success 
as an entrepreneur, 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.
   As part of his lifelong commitment to honoring the memory of the 
36,574 U.S. troops and the estimated 1.2 million Republic of Korea 
troops and civilians who lost their lives during the Korean War, Sunny 
galvanized support for the creation of the Massachusetts Korean War 
Veterans Memorial at the Charlestown Naval Shipyard.
   In recognition of 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. As 
co-Chairman of the Congressional Caucus on Korea, I will greatly miss 
his advocacy on the importance of this alliance.
   Sunny was an active member of the Korean Presbyterian Church in 
Greater Boston where he was an ordained Elder. Sunny's deep and abiding 
faith was the foundation of his family. He instilled in his sons the 
virtues of generosity, graciousness and hearts filled with gratitude. 
An avid sports enthusiast, he was a devoted fan of the Washington 
Redskins and the Boston Red Sox.
   After nearly three decades of running their company in New England, 
Sunny and Susan retired to Haymarket, Virginia to be near their sons 
and grandchildren. I had the great privilege of knowing Sunny during 
his years of living in Northern Virginia and attended church with him 
on numerous occasions. I was always struck by his kindness and his 
devotion to his family. 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.
   Madam Speaker, Sunny's example of a life well-lived shines brightly 
as a model to us all and his loss is felt deeply. I ask my colleagues 
to join me in celebrating the life of Sunny Sung-In Kim and in 
extending our deepest condolences to his wife Susan, their sons Thomas 
and James and their grandchildren ``T'', Rachel, Samuel, William and 
Henry.

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