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The late Elder Sun Vong Choe

By April 29, 2019No Comments

Appreciating this opportunity to recognize the late Elder Sun Vong Choe.

Picture of the late Elder Choe, the resolution of the City Council of Chicago, and the ceremony in which Alderman Margaret Laurino, ward 39 of the City of Chicago, delivered the resolution to the widow family including widow Oakhee Choe, and her two beautiful sons, Peter and John.

A resolution

adopted by The City Council

of the City of Chicago, Illinois

Presented by Alderman Margaret Laurino on March 13, 2019

Wheras, 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 of the 39th Ward; and

WHEREAS, Sun Vong Choe was born on June 8, 1946 in Deokamri, Jaromyeon, Hapcheon County, South Vietnam in the Vietnam War; 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 two sons, Peter and John; and

WHEREAS, Sun Vong Choe was a highly respected writer. He published the moving “Why Does Not the Farther Try to Give His Son?” His writing received an award from the Seoul Critics. Furthermore, Mr. Choe’s poetry was honored by Dong-A Ilbo 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 literacy society in 2003 and 2004. Mr. Choe was a member of the 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 hi 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, gather 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; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Sun Vong Choe.