[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 46 (Thursday, March 12, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1039-S1040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING SUNIL PURI
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, when I think about the American dream, I
[[Page S1040]]
think about my friend Sunil Puri. In 1979, Sunil immigrated to the
United States from India when he was just 18 years old. He arrived in
Rockford, IL, with little more than hope, tenacity, and $150 in his
pocket. Yet, over the span of four decades, he became one of Rockford's
leading businessmen and philanthropists. Sunil was defined by his
commitment to his city, his country, and his family, and his
contributions can be found anywhere you look in Rockford. Sunil left
his adopted city far better than he found it, and it is with great
sadness that I share the news of his passing.
Sunil made the journey from Bombay (Mumbai) to Rockford without the
explicit permission from his parents and with the hopes of receiving a
liberal arts education at Rockford College, now Rockford University.
Through hard work, dedication, and many odd jobs, including cleaning
bedpans and laying concrete, Sunil put himself through school. Yet it
was the kindness of Illinoisans during his college career that stuck
with Sunil: the elderly Swedes who taught him English, the families who
hosted him during their holiday celebrations, and his classmates, who
took an interest in him and celebrated his culture when he was
thousands of miles away from his childhood home. The citizens of
Rockford opened their arms to Sunil, and in return, Sunil would spend
the next four decades repaying the favor.
After graduating from Rockford College with a degree in accounting,
Sunil founded First Rockford Group, which is now known as First Midwest
Group, a real estate development firm. If you have played a round of
mini golf at Volcano Falls, taken a walk along Perryville Path, or
filled up your tank at a Road Ranger stop, you may have seen some of
Sunil's work. In fact, if you live in or visit Rockford, it is hard to
avoid First Midwest's many projects. They have turned abandoned and
forgotten buildings into thriving restaurants, offices, and warehouses.
First Midwest's investments in Rockford have breathed new life into the
city, driving economic growth and creating jobs for thousands of
Illinoisans. But none of this success would have been possible without
Sunil. His drive and passion were the defining features of First
Midwest. Sunil ensured that First Midwest's projects did not just
replicate amenities a neighborhood already possessed, but that they
contributed something new to his adopted town. Because of Sunil, when
his developments succeeded, so did the community.
Sunil's contributions to Rockford and the State of Illinois extend
far beyond his work at First Midwest. Inspired by his parents' lesson
to ``water the flowers where you smell the roses,'' Sunil gave millions
of dollars and--equally as valuable--countless hours of his time and
energy to various charities and community projects. Sunil's passion for
development was obvious in his charity work, where he funded the
construction of many Rockford city staples. His donations led to the
creation of the Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza, the southeast Rockford branch
of the YMCA, the Salvation Army Puri Family Disaster Services Center,
and many more community hubs. Sunil helped families access vaccines
during the COVID-19 pandemic and encouraged children to find their
passion by sponsoring youth sports programs. He supported educators by
spending hundreds of hours a year working on Rockford Public Schools'
budget and operations committees and funding the Golden Apple's
Outstanding Principal Award. It is no surprise that Sunil received a
key to the city of Rockford not once, but twice in his life, as a
recognition of his enduring devotion to his home.
Despite the attention required to manage his large real estate
business and numerous charitable contributions, Sunil never forgot the
university that made it all possible. Through a donation of $5 million
and a 28,000-square-foot building, Sunil helped create the Puri School
of Business at Rockford University. He founded the school with the hope
that it would serve as a vehicle for economic revitalization and as an
engine of opportunity for bright and talented students. Soon after,
Sunil created the Charles Box Scholarship, which provided a full ride
to the Puri School of Business to 30 Black students from the Rockford
area. Sunil also served on the board of trustees at Rockford
University, using his role to give the next generation of students the
same opportunity that he had.
Elected officials on both sides of the aisle have praised Sunil for
all that he has done for his community, and I am pleased that, last
year, the Illinois State House adopted a resolution honoring his
contributions to the State. But Sunil's work extended far beyond
Illinois, and his contributions and insights were appreciated by more
than one President. Never forgetting where he came from, Sunil was a
passionate advocate for improved U.S.-Indian relations and traveled
with President Clinton and President Obama to India, in hopes of
expanded ties between our two countries. He was appointed by President
Obama to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and
Pacific Islanders and by President Biden to the President's Advisory
Committee on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center.
Loretta and I send our deepest condolences to Sunil's loving partner
Candace Ross and his three children Ashwin, Chandan, and Anjali.
Sunil was a living embodiment of what makes America the envy of the
world. Coming from humble beginnings, he found much success, both in
his business and in his community. The contributions that Sunil made to
Rockford were an indispensable part of the city's revitalization and
will continue to fuel the city's growth for years to come. While I will
miss my friend Sunil, I take comfort in knowing that I can always feel
his presence whenever I am in Rockford.
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