Memorial Resolution for Sun Vong Choe
WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that members of this Chamber learned of the passing of Sun Vong Choe on January 11, 2019 at the age of 73; and
WHEREAS, The City Council has been informed of his passing by the Honorable Margaret Laurino, Alderman ofthe 39th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Sun Vong Choe was born on June 8, 1946 in Deokamri, Jaromyeon, Hapcheon County, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea; and
WHEREAS, In 1967 Sun Vong Choe fought gallantly for South Korea on the side of South Vietnam in the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, Sun Vong Choe immigrated to Chicago, Illinois in 1973. On March 30, 1975, he married the wonderful Ok Hee (Chun) Choi. From this loving union were blessed with two sons, Peter and John; and
WHEREAS, Sun Vong Choe was a highly respected writer. He published the moving "Why Does Not the Father Try to Give His Son?" His writing received an award from the Seoul Critics. Furthermore, Mr. Choe's poetry was honored by Dong-A llbo in America; and
WHEREAS, As an esteemed writer, Sun Vong Choe was a leader in the literary community. He was Chairman of the Chicago Munin Association literary society in 2003 and 2004. Mr. Choe was a member ofthe Chicago Literary Society from 1999 until his death; and
WHEREAS, Sun Vong Choe was incredibly engaged in the Korean community. He was President of the Chicago Korean-American Senior Association of Chicagoland from October 2012 until his death, and had previously served for several years as a Board member. In that role he was responsible for providing numerous valuable programs to seniors. Sun Vong Choe was a President of CBMC and a member for a dozen years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Choe was Senior Advisor for the Chicago Korean Traditional Wrestling Association from 2003 until 2016; and
WHEREAS, Sun Vong Choe touched the lives of all who knew him through his kindness and commitment. He will be deeply missed, but the memory of his character will live on in those who knew and loved him; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this thirteenth day of March, 2019, do hereby express our sorrow on the passing of Sun Vong Choe and extend to his family and friends our sincere condolences.
Be It Further Resolved, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Sun Vong Choe.