sunnypark

Why Our High School Graduates Should Take a Citizenship Test

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 16:06:59 GMT

By Sunny Park

Sunny Park was born in 1942 in Seoul, South Korea. After coming to the United States in 1967 and gaining full citizenship in 1974, he became a successful businessman and an active member of his community. As a relative newcomer to this country, he is concerned that America’s youth are not being taught, and consequently do not fully appreciate, the principles their forbearers fought for in creating the freest nation on Earth and how fortunate they are to be Americans.

As an immigrant, I have personally learned and benefitted from the tremendous value of this great country, the United States of America. I think it can be summarized as follows:

• Freedom — A people willing to die to maintain it.
• Pioneering spirit — Not just exploration, but an innate ability to lead and show others.
• Work ethic — Celebration in the results of hard work.
• Preservation — Keeping a history of achievements, learning from it, and making improvements for a better future.

During the first few years of my life in the United States, I was focused only on what was best for me. I spent all of my time on myself; I studied only for myself; I earned money only to satisfy myself; I learned those things which were only for the betterment of myself. That was my attitude until I became a citizen of this country.

In order to become a citizen of the United States, I, like every other immigrant seeking citizenship, had to take a test to exhibit an understanding and appreciation for the institutions and principles of this country. I was asked to answer questions regarding my understanding of and willingness to support the duties and responsibilities of being an American. These questions, and the significance they entail, are a standard part of a citizenship application.

For example, I was asked if I would take an oath of allegiance to my new country and if I would fight all enemies of the United States — even if the enemy were my home country. I was tested on my knowledge of the history, government, laws and culture of the United States. It was not a difficult test compared to those I had taken in college, but it was the beginning of a tremendous change in my life.

As I prepared for this test with very limited study materials, I discovered that the answers to the questions were not difficult, but the new, peripheral knowledge I gleaned was very fresh and invigorating to me. It gave me tremendous delight to learn about and see the value of this country, her great resources, and the many reasons that American citizens enjoy such broad freedoms and privileges . . . which were soon to be mine. I was overwhelmed with an appreciation for the pioneers of this country, for their vision of the future, with their sole purpose of making this not only the greatest country in the world, but the greatest place in the world for a person to live. From that moment on, I decided to dedicate my life not just to myself and my family, but to my new country as well.

As I was sworn in as a new citizen, I thought to myself that not only had I gained the blessings of American citizenship, but that America had just gained its most patriotic citizen ever.

Since the day I took my citizenship test, I have continuously thought, “What if every citizen were asked to answer those same questions that I faced, or were asked to periodically study the material I studied? Would that instill in them the sense of dedication and patriotism that it did in me? Would it focus us on our basic national values of hard work and moral correctness?”

I have met so many Americans, fortunate to have been born American, who know history but fail to grasp the advantages, duties and responsibilities of their citizenship. When I see the lack of respect many Americans have for our country and for what she stands, especially the younger generation, I become pessimistic about our future. It makes me quite angry to hear even a few Americans complain about their country while failing to appreciate the many blessings of just being an American.

I’d like to help this country preserve its historic values and prevent them from vanishing completely. I feel very strongly that this must be God’s reason for sending me to America. If we cannot require all citizens to study and understand the value of American citizenship, then perhaps we could at least require high school students to pass a test, similar to the citizenship test I had to take, which might impart in them the same sense of appreciation and patriotism with which I was left. This test should become a requirement for graduation from our high schools. You take the test. See how you do. And be thankful for your great country.

Sample Questions from the U.S. Citizenship Test

1. Why did the Pilgrims come to America?

2. Why did the people in the Colonies revolt against the King of England?

3. What is the basic belief of the Declaration of Independence?

4. What are the first ten Amendments to the United States Constitution called?

5. What are some rights that are guaranteed by the United States Constitution?

6. Why do we have three branches of government (legislative, executive, and judicial)?

7. How many Senators are there in the United States Senate?

8. Name the thirteen original states.

9. How can Congress override a Presidential veto?

10. Who has the power to declare war?

Answers

1. For religious freedom.

2. Because they were required to pay taxes, but had no right of vote.

3. All men created equal.

4. The Bill of Rights.

5. The people are guaranteed the right of freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, and the freedom to vote.

6. To balance the power within the government so that one branch of government does not get too powerful. This system is called checks and balances, and it was adopted by our founders to avoid the “King George” experience.

7. 100 Senators: two from each state.

8. Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island and Maryland.

9. By a two-thirds majority vote.

10. The Congress

Sunny Park is a member of the Board of Governors of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation.

Nothing written here is to be construed as necessarily reflecting the views of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation or as an attempt to aid or hinder the passage of any bill before the U.S. Congress or the Georgia Legislature. © Georgia Public Policy Foundation (July 4, 1996) Permission is hereby given to reprint this article, with appropriate credit given.

source: https://www.georgiapolicy.org/news/why-our-high-school-graduates-should-take-a-citizenship-test/

Speech on General Mike Scaprrotti’s Liberty Award celebration 10 Dec 2025

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 22:55:28 GMT

Sunny K. Park, President, American Korean Friendship Society

Good evening!

I would like to express my gratitude to ICAS and Dr. Kim for granting me the opportunity to offer remarks about tonight's honoree.

General Scaparrotti's distinguished military career is widely recognized for its exceptional achievements.

I first met General Scaparrotti in Korea at his change of command ceremony; an event officiated by General Dempsey. At the time, I attended as a guest of General Thurman, the outgoing commander, while General Scaparrotti assumed leadership of US Forces in Korea.

In subsequent years, specifically from 2022 to 2024, I had the privilege of working alongside General Scaparrotti during his tenure as Chairman of the Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA), where I serve on the Advisory Board.

Upon taking on this role, General Scaparrotti promptly initiated a conference call with me to gain comprehensive insight into KDVA’s operations. Our conversation lasted over an hour and encompassed both the organization's history and strategic direction. As you can tell, I was one of about 2 dozen leaders of KDVA. I found General Scaparrotti’s genuine commitment to effective leadership and organizational excellence particularly noteworthy.

I wish to highlight several personal anecdotes shared by his Korean colleagues.

Throughout his nearly forty-year service, he demonstrated unwavering respect for fallen soldiers by displaying their photographs in his office and providing continued support to their families.

Notably, in 2015, following an incident in which two Korean Army sergeants were injured by a landmine, General Scaparrotti was the first to visit them in the hospital, encouraging their recovery.

Under General Scaparrotti's leadership, KDVA has flourished, further reinforcing the US-Korea alliance.

His exemplary leadership and selfless dedication have significantly enhanced the strength and vitality of this crucial partnership.

It is my honor to congratulate General Mike Scaparrotti on receiving this year’s ICAS Liberty Award—a recognition that is truly well deserved.

Iconic Sculpture Honoring Veterans’ Sacrifices to be Dedicated at Sandy Springs Park

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 19:23:48 GMT

The newly opened Veterans Park is located on the parcel of land between Roswell Road, Johnson Ferry Road, and Mt. Vernon Highway.

Sandy Springs, October 30, 2024 – A sculpture monument dedicated to honoring the sacrifices and gratitude to veterans and servicemen who have served the nation is scheduled to be commemorated on Veterans Day on November 11, 2024, at Sandy Springs.

To honor the sacrifices of local veterans, the city commissioned two sculptures for the park: “Be the Light,” a 30-foot-tall steel creation from Curtis Pittman, and “Three Generations,” designed by Kevin Chambers.

The newly opened Veterans Park is located on the parcel of land between Roswell Road, Johnson Ferry Road, and Mt. Vernon Highway.

Sunny K. Park learned about the proposed Veterans monument during a Sandy Springs Foundation meeting a few years ago. The Sandy Springs Foundation is tasked to fund the cost of the monument.

“I feel obligated to help fund this monument to honor the sacrifices of local servicemen and veterans who dedicated their lives to protecting this country. The freedom that we enjoy daily are sacrifices of men and women who put their lives to protect us,” said Park.

Park's family generously donated over 85 percent of the funds to Sand Springs Foundation to finance the project.

“The monument is also a reminder to our community members that freedom is not free and to show our appreciation for veteran's service to the country,” adds Park.

Park also hopes that the monument will shed some light on the negative perceptions and stereotypes of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Veterans who dedicate their lives to this country.

“Asian American veterans are no different from the others and are an integral part of this country's fabric of society.”

The city says benches, designed for visitors to relax and reflect amid the park’s water features and sculptures, will surround the memorials.

Sidewalks will connect the park to City Springs, creating a seamless pathway between the two locations.

A dedication ceremony is scheduled at 11:00 am on November 11, 2024, at the Sandy Springs City Hall and followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Veterans Park. City officials, community leaders, and the general public are expected to attend.

source: https://gasiantimes.com/metro-asian-news/2024/10/30/iconic-sculpture-honoring-veterans-sacrifices-to-be-dedicated-at-sandy-springs-park/

The Ellis Island Honors Society honors the importance of immigration to America’s prosperity

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 01:41:19 GMT

The Ellis Island Honors Society honors the importance of immigration to America’s prosperity and celebrates the contributions immigrants and their progeny have made to our nation.

In 1986, Ellis Island Honors Society founded the Ellis Island Medals of Honor to commemorate the indefatigable spirit of those who immigrated to the United States during the Ellis Island era.

The Medal is presented annually to those who have shown an outstanding commitment to serving our nation either professionally, culturally or civically, among other criteria.

Sandy Springs unveils Veterans Park sculptures in holiday tribute

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 01:34:52 GMT

U.S. Marine Corps Col. John McDonough, (retired), delivers the keynote address at the Sandy Springs Veterans Day Tribute in Byers Theatre on Monday. (Photo by Bob Pepalis)

Sandy Springs commemorated Veterans Day with a special keynote address and the unveiling of two new sculptures at Veterans Park.

In a keynote address, Sandy Springs’s first city manager, John McDonough, said veterans’ sense of duty, honor, and sacrifice continue to shape the nation. McDonough is a retired U.S. Marines colonel who served in Iraq.

“Let us not only remember the sacrifices of those who serve but also recognize our responsibility to honor their legacy by living up to the values they defend, the freedom, safety, and opportunities we enjoy today were secured by the courage and commitment of our veterans,” McDonough said during his remarks.

Sunny Park, who provided the bulk of funding for the artwork, “Be the Light,” shared how his experiences as a child in Korea showed him the importance of veterans and democracy in the United States. (Photo by Bob Pepalis)

Through experiences in the Sahara Desert, southern France, Egypt, the Mojave Desert, Korea, and around the Mediterranean, McDonough said he witnessed the incredible dedication of his fellow service members, whether operating in extreme cold, freezing rain, sandstorms, or enduring the intense heat of the desert. Through those experiences, his fellow Marines remained positive and found humor in the situation.

“That sense of camaraderie and shared sacrifice is something that I carry with me to this day,” McDonough said.

After McDonough’s remarks at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, attendees crossed the street to the park for the sculpture dedications.

David Boemig, right, funded the sculpture by Kevin Chambers entitled, “Three Generations,” and shared why Veterans Park was important to him. Standing from left are Chambers, fellow artist Curtis Pittman, and U.S. Marine veteran Jared Flood, whose poem helped inspire Pittman’s work, “Be the Light.”

Curtis Pittman’s “Be the Light,” a 33-foot internally lit structure designed to emulate a flame, was designed so visitors can walk under and through the sculpture. Pittman said he couldn’t have created his work without the influence and poem by his high school friend and veteran, Jared Flood, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1999 to 2005.

“He is a part of the creation because his poem and his saying is the metaphor,” Pittman said.

The artist had his friend, Flood, read the poem.

The True battle begins when the bullets stop flying,

choices for where life or death flow.

Love and fear grow,

a place where light and darkness know your name,

a torch to your soul,

forever burning its flame.

Sunny Park, who funded Pittman’s artwork, immigrated to the United States from South Korea. He described his firsthand experience with U.S. veterans including seeing many of them dead and dying in front of him when he was a child.

“I saw so many of them. They are husband of somebody, father of somebody, or son of somebody,” Park said.

He said those veterans not only served Americans but came to Korea and saved 50 million people in South Korea. When those soldiers first arrived, South Korea was the second poorest nation. Park said now it has the ninth-largest economy in the world.

Artist Kevin Chambers created “Three Generations,” a bronze statue depicting a multi-generational family honoring a loved one who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“Part of being an artist, especially being a sculptor, is you get a few opportunities along the way to create something much bigger than you, much bigger than all of us,” Chambers said.

David Boemig, who donated the funds for Chambers’ sculpture, said Veterans Park was reminds visitors that character, not currency, is the greatest asset.

Source: https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2024/11/11/sandy-springs-veterans-day/

Kevin Chambers father was the inspiration for the serviceman in his sculpture shown above. (Photo by Bob Pepalis)

Curtis Pittman describes his creative process for his artwork, “Be the Light,” which towers over Veterans Park in the photo. (Photo by Bob Pepalis)

Kevin Chambers’ dad, right, stands beside his son’s sculpture, “Three Generations,” which used him as the model for the serviceman. (Provided by City of Sandy Springs)

Perimeter residents celebrate generations of American veterans

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 01:24:16 GMT

Artist Curtis Pittman, left, cheers as local philanthropist and business leader Sunny Park, right, and his family cut the ribbon Nov. 11 on Veterans Park’s new sculpture — “Be the Light.” The Veterans Day ceremonies in Sandy Springs also saw the unveiling of Kevin Chambers’ “Three Generations” at the park.

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

NORTH METRO ATLANTA — On both sides of the Fulton-DeKalb County line north of I-285, communities gathered to recognize the selflessness of Americans who served in the U.S. military.

Veterans Day ceremonies in the cities of Dunwoody and Sandy Springs Nov. 11 saw community members come together as citizens of the United States to honor Americans who served in the armed forces.

Just before Sandy Springs officials unveiled two new monuments at Veterans Park, the Dunwoody community gathered at Brook Run Park for one of its most important and unifying traditions.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10822 serves both Perimeter cities, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs, which held separate ceremonies at their local veterans’ memorials.

A look at Veterans Park in Sandy Springs Nov. 11 shows the new sculpture, Be the Light, unveiled during the city’s 2024 Veterans Day ceremony. Curtis Pittman’s 33-foot internally lit structure symbolizes eternal light with its seven spires representing each branch of the military. HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Dunwoody resident and retired Lt. Col. Thomas Ariail, who serves as commander of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter, spoke in front of the DeKalb Veterans Memorial to a crowd of 100.

When no World War II veterans stood to be recognized at the start of the speech, faces grew long in the absence of a member of the Greatest Generation.

As veterans began standing in recognition of service in Vietnam, pride returned to faces in the crowd.

“My initial point is on memory; it’s always fascinated me how the brain can store and hold incredible amounts of information,” Ariail said. “Sometimes it’s not so easy to share these thoughts with others … our VFW Post started having lunches after our meetings as a way for them to open up and build common links.”

Ariail smiled as he talked about his fellow veterans giving interviews at the Atlanta History Center, speaking at local high schools and celebrating Brook Run Park’s new Vietnam War Memorial with the Atlanta business community and Vietnamese Americans.

“Veterans have a lot of memories and experiences to share,” he said. “For those in the audience, seek them out and learn with an open mind.”

After reminding fellow service members not to embellish the stories too much, the audience let out a collective laugh.

Retired Lt. Col. Thomas Ariail discusses the role of memory in the lives of American service members transitioning back into civilian life at the Nov. 11 Dunwoody Veterans Day Ceremony at Brook Run Park. Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch and Police Chief Mike Carlson, pictured left, also spoke to the crowd of 100.

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

After serving for more than 23 years across various combat zones, Ariail encouraged high schoolers who are uncertainof their direction to consider military service. He said they would learn leadership, discipline and leave with a lifetime of great stories.

Through the keynote address, the crowd of veterans and community members enjoyed the quiet, reflective morning at Brook Run Park.

Just 5 miles west at City Springs, people gathered inside the Byers Theatre to watch the Sandy Springs Middle School Choir perform “God Bless America” along with other patriotic classics.

Former Sandy Springs City Manager and retired Marine Col. John McDonough served as keynote speaker, discussing the sacrifices and difficulties that face veterans’ families.

“Some of my fondest memories are from my time in uniform where I had the privilege to serve alongside some of the finest men and women this country has to offer,” he said.

McDonough took the Byers Theatre crowd through his four deployments, including 54 operations around the Mediterranean Sea and summers training as a tank commander with Police Chief Kenneth DeSimone in the Mojave Desert.

“As we reflect on the service of our veterans, it’s important to remember that their commitment to this country does not end with the conclusion of their military career,” McDonough said. “Their sense of duty, honor and sacrifice continues to shape our nation, whether they served in combat zones or supported critical operations, each veteran contributed to the preservation of the freedoms we hold dear.”

McDonough, who served as city manager from 2006-2019, recalled the first Sandy Springs Veterans Day Ceremony at Morgan Falls Overlook Park.

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul told his friend McDonough that he loved him before crediting him for his heavy lifting and attention to detail building the city’s downtown district — City Springs.

“He said something I will never forget, ‘Where I come from, if you’re not paying attention to detail, people die,’” Paul said. “That training served us all well, thank you John.”

The mayor also discussed the city’s partnership with Art Sandy Springs for two new monuments before the ceremony headed across Ga. 9 Veterans Park.

Kevin Chambers’ Three Generations is a bronze statue depicting a veteran and his young daughter who are facing and looking up at the weaving 30-foot tall Be the Light by Curtis Pittman.

The model for the Three Generations service member is Chambers’ father who attended the sculpture dedication at Veterans Park.

Pittman’s Be the Light is a lit modern sculpture designed to emulate a flame and symbolize eternal light with seven spires for each branch of the military.

Sandy Springs philanthropist Sunny Park, who funded Pittman’s sculpture, discussed his experiences growing up during the Korean War and watching American soldiers die.

“This country is still the best in the world, and it will continue to be,” Park said. “How did it happen? Veterans.”

The ceremony and sculpture unveiling at Veterans Park concluded after Park, his daughter and grandchildren cut the ribbon on “Be the Light.”

“Freedom is so important,” Park said. “I’d rather die than not have freedom because I experienced it.”

source: https://www.appenmedia.com/dunwoody/perimeter-residents-celebrate-generations-of-american-veterans/article_4995efc8-a388-11ef-8bab-3bbf0553a13b.html

[발언대] YS가 在美 한인들에게 남긴 당부

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 02:09:23 GMT

김영삼 전 대통령의 서거 소식을 들으니 그분이 미국의 한인들에게 당부한 말씀이 새삼 생각난다. 그분과는 백악관 만찬에서 잠시 만난 게 전부지만 미국 한인들의 장래를 걱정하며 과감하게 대화를 이끌던 모습이 생생하다. 그는 한국 정가를 기웃거리던 한인의 일부가 줄기차게 제기한 '교민청' 설치 요청에 확실하게 결론을 냈다. "이민 갔으면 그곳에서 뿌리내리고 잘살아라. 모국에 기대 걸어봐야 '국물'도 없다." '고국 발전에 기여하고 싶다'는 일부 한인의 희망에 대해서도 "'미꾸라지'급인 현재의 한인 사회로는 용도 미달이니 '잉어'급 정도로 커진 다음에 보자"고 했다. 그는 한인들과 만날 때마다 "현지에서 뿌리내리고 충실한 미국 국민으로 살아가라"고 당부했다. 재미 한인의 '응석'을 단호하게 거절하며 이민자로서 긍지를 갖고 살라고 주문하는 그에게 실질적 지도자라는 인상을 받았다.

지금 미국 한인 사회에서는 한국 국회의원 선거를 위한 선거인 명부 등록 캠페인이 벌어지고 있다. 머지않아 각 정당의 입후보자들이 나타나 한인회와 향우회 등을 동원해 득표 활동을 벌일 것이다. 그러면 이른바 '한인 사회 지도자'들도 덩달아 활동할 것이다. 지금 미국은 내년 대선 캠페인이 한창인데 많은 이의 관심이 이곳 생활과 직접 관련 없는 한국 총선에 가있는 듯하다.

많은 한인이 볼 때 한인 사회에서의 한국 선거운동은 우리 이민자들이 미국에 뿌리내리고 사는 데 오히려 장애가 되고 있다. 우리들이 가진 몇 표를 얻기 위해 동포 사회를 한국에서처럼 동과 서, 그리고 남과 북 출신 그룹으로 분열시키는 한국 정치인들의 염치없는 행태를 서거한 김영삼 대통령이 보았으면 무어라고 할까 궁금하다.

이민 온 우리 같은 사람들이 우선시해야 할 일은 현지 정착과 동화이다. 고국이 잘되길 바라는 마음이야 누구나 같지만, 이민을 했으면 이민자답게 그 나라 국민으로서 성숙한 모습을 보여야 한다. 우리 한인 사회의 진정한 발전을 걱정하는 한국의 정치 집단은 없다고 본다. 함량 미달 '지도자'들이 대표하는 오합지졸 한인 사회를 자신의 이익을 위해 이용하려는 자들만 있을 뿐이다. 후세를 위해 다시 한 번 결심하자. 올바른 소속감을 갖지 못하면 어디서건 쓸모없는 집단으로 남는다. 우리가 애지중지 키우고, 빚내서 공부시키는 아들 딸에게도 악영향을 준다.

출처: https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2015/12/15/2015121503961.html

벨헤이븐大, 애틀랜타 기업인 박선근 회장에 명예박사학위 수여

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 02:00:59 GMT

박 회장, 대학 졸업식에서 축하 연설

벨헤이븐 대학의 로저 패롯 총장이 졸업식 연설자로 강단에 오른 박선근 GBM 회장(왼쪽)에게 명예 경제학 박사학위증을 전달하고 있다.[사진=벨헤이븐 대학교]

박선근 GBM 회장(75)이 벨헤이븐대학으로부터 명예경제학박사학위를 받았다.

박 회장은 지난 12월16일 미국 미시시피주 잭슨빌에 있는 벨헤이븐대학교에서 열린 졸업축하예배에서 로저 패롯 총장으로부터 명예박사학위를 수여받고, 졸업 연설자로 강단에 섰다.

패롯 총장은 박 회장을 “무일푼으로 미국에 건너와 현재 2천여명을 고용하고 매년 개인소득세 200만달러를 내는 거부이다. 아메리칸 드림을 일군 사업가로 정치, 종교, 사회, 교육 분야에서 많은 영향력을 발휘하고 있다”고 소개했다.

박 회장은 졸업연설에서 “도저히 빠져나갈 길이 보이지 않는 어려운 상황이 찾아온다면 먼저 하나님께 기도하고 그 다음에 나를 기억해 달라”면서, “써니(박 회장의 영어이름)가 했다면 나도 할 수 있다(If any thing Sunny can, I can!)라는 말을 잊지 말아 달라”고 말했다.

박선근 회장은 애틀랜타의 대표적인 한인 비즈니스맨이다. 청소용역회사 GBM은 13개 도시 200여 회사를 관리하고 있다. 이 회사의 매출은 약 3천만 달러. 고객 중에는 내쉬빌 공항, AT&T, 휴렛 팩커드, 루슨트 등 대기업과 올랜도의 디즈니월드가 있다.

박 회장은 이날 칙필레 창업주인 트루엇 캐시 회장이 저술한 책 ‘Inspire more people’과 칙필레 무료 쿠폰을 졸업생들에게 선물했다.

1883년에 설립된 벨헤이븐대학교는 70여개의 전공과정을 운영하고 있다. 현재 42개주와 22개 나라에서 모여든 1200여명의 학생들이 이 학교에 재학 중이다.

출처: https://www.worldkorean.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=30630

Atlanta Rotarian Sunny K. Park, Chief Executive Janitor of General Building Maintenance

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 19:35:36 GMT

Join us this Friday to welcome Atlanta Rotarian Sunny K. Park, Chief Executive Janitor of General Building Maintenance, President of Global Sun Investments and a member of Georgia Banking Company Board. You can join in person at Le Meridien or via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86202979419

Sunny is a 2000 USO Patriot Award recipient and one of Most Influential Atlantans by JAMES Magazine and Atlanta Business Chronicle in multiple years. He is an Executive in Residence of Georgia State University, lecturing regularly. Mr. Park immigrated to the United States in 1974 with no money. Today, as an indicator of his business acumen, he has successfully achieved his goal of paying $1 million in income tax annually.

A native of South Korea, served as Commissioner of the White House Advisory Commission and Vice Chairman of Georgia Ports Authority. Mr. Park serves or served multiple nonprofit boards; National Guard’s Youth Foundation that supports programs for high school dropouts; USO Georgia; National Center for Civil and Human Rights; Carter Center Board of Councilors; Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation Board; Atlanta Rotary Club Board; Emeritus board member of Berry College and Junior Achievements Georgia; Serves Sandy Springs City for City Charter Review Board and Development Authority; National Museum of Patriotism Board; Georgia Public Policy Foundation; Shepherd Center Hospital; Emory University Board of Visitors; Savannah College of Art & Design; Korea Defense Veterans Association Board. He is 2004 and 2008 Presidential Elector from Georgia.

He served as president of the National Korean American Federation (1991); Chairman of the 1992 Overseas Korean Conference in Berlin, Germany; In 1996, he founded the American Korean Friendship Society to strengthen unique relationship between the two nations; To encourage fellow immigrants to become active in community affairs, Mr. Park founded the Good Neighboring Foundation; With his own program “If Sunny Can, I Can,” he mentors high school dropouts at Youth Challenge Programs. He presented the commencement speeches to Class 2006 of Kennesaw State University, Class 2007 of Berry College, Rome, Georgia and 2018 of Belhaven University, Jackson, Mississippi.

Sunny is laureate of Atlanta Business Hall of Fame; inducted to KATUSA Hall of Fame in Korea. He is decorated with People’s Merit by South Korean President; Volunteer Service Award by the President of the U. S.; Americanism Medal by Daughters of American Revolution; Patrick Henry Trophy by National Guards Association; Small Business Person of the Year by Atlanta Chamber of Commerce; Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Youth Foundation 2007; VanLandingham Commitment to Economic Education Award by Georgia State University; 2018 Liberty Award by Institution of Corian American Studies; 2020 Freedom Award from Georgia Public Policy Foundation.

He studied at Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis. He received honorary doctorate from Belhaven University. Sunny Park attends the Church of The Apostle, Atlanta, GA.

source: https://www.griffinrotary.org/story/6444

Belhaven To Honor Graduating Class of 2017

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 19:32:00 GMT

November 27, 2017 (Jackson, Miss.) - Belhaven University will honor its December graduates during commencement on Saturday, December 16, 2017. The Jackson Commencement Ceremony will start at 9:30 a.m. in Thalia Mara Hall, 255 East Pascagoula Street.

The special commencement speaker will be Mr. Sunny K. Park. He is the CEO of Global Sun Investments, Inc., CEJ of General Building Maintenance and board member of Brand Bank.

A native of South Korea, he served as commissioner of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and vice chairman of Georgia Ports Authority. Mr. Park immigrated to the United States in 1974 with no money and now he has successfully achieved his goal of paying $1 million in annual income tax. Mr. Park is the 2000 USO Patriot Award recipient and one of Most Influential Atlantans by JAMES Magazine and Atlanta Business Chronicle for multiple years.

Mr. Park also serves on several nonprofit boards: National Guard's Youth Foundation, USO Georgia, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Carter Center Board of Councilors, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Rotary Club Board; WABE Atlanta Public Broadcasting, Advisory Board of Kennesaw State University and emeritus board member of Berry College.

He served as president of the National Korean American Federation and was chairman of the 1992 Overseas Korean Conference in Berlin, Germany. In 1996, he founded the American-Korean Friendship Society to strengthen the relationship between the two nations. Mr. Park founded the Good Neighboring Foundation. With his own program “If Sunny Can, I Can,” he mentors high school dropouts at the National Guard's Youth Challenge Program.

Mr. Park is a laureate of Atlanta Business Hall of Fame of Junior Achievements and KATUSA Hall of Fame in Korea. He was decorated with the People's Merit of the Republic of Korea; Service Award by the President of the U. S., Americanism Medal by the Daughters of American Revolution, Patrick Henry Trophy by National Guards, Small Business Person of the Year by Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Youth Foundation in 2007 and the VanLandingham Commitment to Economic Education Award by Georgia State University. He studied at information technology at the Institute of Korea, Indiana University, Purdue University at Indianapolis. Mr. Park and his family attend Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga.

source: https://www.belhaven.edu/news/2017/belhaven-to-honor-graduating-class-of-2017-2017.html

Atlanta business executive honors Korean War hero with international scholarship

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 19:25:41 GMT

As a hungry young boy growing up on the Korean peninsula in the early 1950s, Sunny K. Park was inspired to pursue a better life by the American soldiers fighting on his behalf during the Korean War.

Today, the accomplished entrepreneur, community leader and 2020 recipient of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation’s Freedom Award hopes a new scholarship honoring the late U.S. Gen. Raymond Gilbert Davis – a Korean War hero and past Freedom Award recipient – will inspire a new generation of students at Georgia’s Berry College.

With an endowment exceeding $200,000, the General Davis Korean-American Friendship Scholarship will provide funding for two rising seniors each year to participate in the Bahrom International Program at Seoul Women’s University or another similar program in South Korea. The goal is to promote cultural understanding while also preparing Berry students to succeed in a global economy. Preference for the award will be given to family members of Korean War veterans.

With the blessing of the Davis family, Park has funded this scholarship in hopes of shedding new light on Gen. Davis’ heroism in Korea, where he earned the Congressional Medal of Honor after spearheading the rescue of fellow Marines in fierce combat and frigid conditions at the Chosin Reservoir in late 1950.

The scholarship also extends the legacy of both men in service to Berry, an independent liberal arts college of approximately 2,100 students located on a 27,000-acre campus 72 miles northwest of Atlanta. Gen. Davis spent 30 years on the college’s Board of Visitors, providing wise counsel to three Berry presidents. Park followed him as a member of the Board of Visitors and later served as a college trustee, retiring in 2015.

While neither man attended Berry, Park feels strongly that the college exemplifies values he glimpsed in the soldiers he met during the war and American Christians who provided desperately needed essentials such as food, clothing and school supplies in the years after the 1953 armistice.

“I’ve always remembered those Americans as brave and generous,” Park said. “It wasn’t common to be like that, so I wanted to be American and Christian. I never gave up on that plan. I wanted to be brave and generous like Americans.”

Park immigrated to the United States in 1974 and ultimately became a naturalized citizen. Though he arrived with nothing, he achieved success with the 1983 founding of General Building Maintenance, today one of the nation’s top private commercial cleaning service providers. He has also invested time and energy in other successful business ventures and in nonprofit service, with a particular interest in mentoring high school dropouts. Notable achievements include past service as vice chair of the Georgia Ports Authority and recognition as an Atlanta Business Hall of Fame laureate and USO Patriot Medal recipient.

Park never actually met Gen. Davis in Korea – “there were over a million American GIs deployed on the Korean peninsula,” he noted – but in later years had the opportunity to serve alongside his childhood hero during efforts to fund the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

“Gen. Davis was such a humble man,” Park recalled. “When you saw him in civilian clothes, he was like your nicest uncle. You could never imagine him fighting on the front lines in the bitter cold. He never bragged about what he did. He was just so polite and nice to everyone.”

After Gen. Davis died in 2003, Park articulated his feelings toward the man he considered a “father figure,” stating, “ When I was a child, I could never say ‘thank you’ for what you did for me and millions of fellow Koreans now enjoying the freedom you helped to provide. Finally, when I met you in Atlanta some 40 years later, I wanted to say ‘thank you’ many times, but it could never be enough.”

Park continues to honor Korean War soldiers like Gen. Davis with a dinner each Veterans Day. This new scholarship is one more way in which he can recognize the bravery and sacrifice that resonated so strongly with him as a boy.

“I want to inspire people who never met Raymond Davis,” he said. “I want to relay his heroism to Berry College students.”

source: https://www.berry.edu/articles/news/2020/news-022020

Sunny K. Park & American Korean Friendship Society - Paying it Forward

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 19:21:11 GMT

Retired Berry Trustee Serves Community in Time of Crisis

Sunny K. Park has an eye for business and a heart for service. The Atlanta Business Hall of Fame laureate and Berry trustee emeritus is renowned for the success of his company, General Building Maintenance, which is one of the nation's top private commercial cleaning service providers, as well as the work he does on behalf of others.

He has always been quick to recognize a need, so when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, he quickly jumped into action. As president of the American Korean Friendship Society, he coordinated the donation of 1,000 protective masks each to Grady Memorial Hospital, Piedmont Hospital and the Sandy Springs, Ga., police.

Berry students are no strangers to the generosity of Mr. Park, who endured the horrors of the Korean War as a child and later immigrated to the United States, the source of the soldiers and missionaries who inspired him in his youth. He was introduced to Berry by his childhood hero, U.S. Gen. Raymond Gilbert Davis, and quickly embraced the college and its mission.

Most recently, Mr. Park funded the General Davis Korean-American Friendship Scholarship, which will provide support for two Berry students each year to participate in the Bahrom International Program at Seoul Women's University or another similar program in South Korea. He has also been generous in support of other campus projects, including the Steven J. Cage Athletic and Recreation Center.

source: https://alwaysberry.com/blog/sunny-park

애틀랜타 박선근 한미우호협회장, CKA 포용상 수상

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 19:15:34 GMT

애틀랜타 박선근 한미우호협회장이 지난 10월 28일 미국 워싱턴DC에서 열린 CKA 갈라에서 ‘포용상’을 받았다.

(서울=월드코리안신문) 이석호 기자

애틀랜타 박선근 한미우호협회장이 지난 10월 28일 미국 워싱턴DC에서 열린 CKA(미주한인위원회, Council Korean American) 갈라에서 ‘포용상(Embrace Unity Award)’을 받았다.

미주한인위원회(CKA)는 샌프란시스코와 워싱턴DC, LA 한인들이 2011년 미주 한인들의 목소리를 대변하기 위해 만든 비영리 단체다. CKA는 해마다 연말에 한인사회를 빛낸 한인들에게 상을 주고 있다. <애틀랜타 중앙일보>에 따르면 워싱턴DC 콘래드 호텔에서 개최한 이 행사에는 450명이 참석했다.

CKA는 애틀랜타에 거주하는 박선근 회장에게 포용상, 배우 애실리 박(캘리포니아 글렌데일 거주)에게 영감상(Inspire Award), 제임스 리 사모펀드 투자자(매사추세츠 보스턴 인근 거주)에게 개척상(Trail Blazer Award), 송 리처드슨 콜로라도 칼리지 총장에게 역할상(Empower Award)을 주었다.

수상자들 가운데 포용상을 받은 박선근 회장은 애틀랜타에서 청소업으로 성공신화를 쓴 인물이다. 서울 출신인 그는 1974년 단돈 200달러를 들고 미국으로 건너가 청소용역업으로 10여 년 만에 수천 명의 직원을 둔 ‘제너럴 빌딩 메인트넌스’(GBM)사를 일궜다.

사업 성공 후 박 회장은 ‘애틀랜타 한미우호협회’, 민간단체 ‘좋은 이웃 되기 운동’을 창설해 미국 방위군이 고교 중퇴생들을 대상으로 운영하는 갱생프로그램(YCP)을 재정적으로 후원하면서 멘토 역할을 했다.

또 1996년 데이비스 장군을 비롯해 제임스 레이니 당시 주한미국 대사, 조완규 전 서울대 총장, 윌리엄 체이스 에모리대 총장, 존 햄비 서던 컴퍼니 부사장 등과 함께 한미우호협회를 창립해 양국 간 우호 협력 활동을 펼쳐왔다.

출처: https://www.worldkorean.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=49708

Georgia Korean War veterans remembered at state capitol

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 22:32:07 GMT

Georgia Korean War veterans remembered at state capitol

Staff Writer: Athens Banner-Herald

The America-Korea Friendship Society hosted a commemorative observance at the Rotunda in the Georgia State Capitol Building in Atlanta on July 27.

July 27 marked the 62nd anniversary of the armistice of the Korean War, and the ceremony was to remember the 740 Georgians killed in the Korean War and to honor all Korean War Veterans who reside in Georgia. Wreaths were laid by fellow Korean War Veterans, Korean Government officials, Korean-American Association of Greater Atlanta members and the Atlanta Rotary Club.

Among attendees were Sunny Park, president of the America Korea Friendship Society; Frank Blake, retired chairman of Home Depot; Commissioner Mike Roby from the Georgia Department of Veterans Service; retired Col. Ben Malcom, a 2014 inductee into Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame and Korean War veteran; retired Gen. Larry Ellis, chair of the American Korea Friendship Society; Brigadier Gen. Joseph Jarrad, adjutant general in Georgia; Brigadier Gen. David Turner, commander in the South Atlantic Division, Army Corps of Engineers; and retired Col. Rick White, chairman of the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame.

The Hope Johns Creek Korean American Youth Orchestra provided musical interludes.

reference: https://www.onlineathens.com/story/lifestyle/around-town/2015/08/10/georgia-korean-war-veterans-remembered-state-capitol/15486650007/

Korean War memorial dedicated for Hall veterans

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 22:27:11 GMT

Korean War memorial dedicated for Hall veterans

By Charles Phelps cphelps@gainesvilletimes.com

POSTED: October 27, 2012 11:59 p.m.

SCOTT ROGERS/The Times

The Korean War monument is unveiled Saturday morning at Rock Creek Veterans Park during a memorial service.

The Korean War Veterans of Georgia unveiled and dedicated a memorial Saturday at Rock Creek Veterans Park in Gainesville at in honor of 11 men from Hall County who died nearly 60 years ago in the war.

Though, the Korean conflict sometimes referred to as the “forgotten war,” the 11 men won’t be forgotten. Instead, their names and legacies are enshrined into Gainesville’s history forever.

The ceremony was a vision of both the Korean War Veterans of Georgia and the Korean-American Community in Georgia. The event had been months in the making.

“It was a long time coming,” said Charles Sexton, a Korean veteran, secretary and treasurer of the veterans group.

“We’re real proud of (the memorial). The first time I saw (the memorial), it almost made me cry.”

The 11 names on the wall are: Pvt. William D. Wallace, Pvt. Thomas R. Jarrard, Pvt. Howard D. O’Kelly, Pvt. Jimmy L. Shadburn, 1st Lt. Alphard Vismor, Cpl. Oscar D. Martin, Cpl. Charles D. Lipscomb, Cpl. Oliver H. McGuire, Sgt. William M. Ledford, Tech. Sgt. Bryson A. Reed and Sgt. 1st class Willie J. Watkins.

The Hall County Sheriff Honor Guard group marched in the ceremony and presented both the American and Korean flags.

The crowd was treated to music by the Hope Johns Creek Korean American Youth Orchestra, who played the national anthems of both nations.

Heyward Hosch, a member of the veterans group, spoke about the significance of the Korean War. He thanked families of the veterans, city and county officials and the Korean friends who, “made this memorial possible.”

“The men that we are here to honor today, left Hall County over 60 years ago to fight for a country that they’d never heard of, and for a people they didn’t know,” Hosch said.

The keynote speaker was Sunny K. Park, President of Good Neighbor Foundation. In July, he presented the Korean War Veterans a $14,500 check from the “Korean-American Community in Georgia” to help fund the memorial. He also helped oversee its plans.

“It is a great privilege to ...help us remember those fallen heroes and the Korean War for a long time,” Park said.

After his opening remarks, Park bowed twice to the memorial.

“This is the Korean way to pay tribute the most respectful way,” he said.

Park also presented plaques to the veterans.

A wreath was laid, followed by a 21-gun salute from the Hall County Sheriff Honor Guard.

“It was real nice, and showed the appreciation that the veterans and Korean people have of the people who came over and protected their freedom,” said Carey Sexton, grandson of Charles Sexton.

He said he hopes to see more such memorials be constructed around the state and country.

The memorial is located off Northside Drive and Academy Street in Gainesville. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is located in the same park.

SCOTT ROGERS/The Times

Sunny K. Park, President of Good Neighboring Foundation, speaks Saturday morning during the Korean War monument memorial service at Rock Creek Veterans Park. Park presented a $14,500 check from the “Korean-American community in Georgia” to the Korean War Veterans of Georgia toward the memorial during a July ceremony at the Gainesville park.

Sunny Park Welcomes New American Citizens in Pensacola, Florida

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 10:35:08 GMT

Take Care of Your New Country

Sunny K. Park, Founder, Good Neighboring Foundation, Inc.

Speech to new US citizen candidates, US District Court, Pensacola, FL July 19, 2024

Good morning!

It is a memorable day in the City of Five Flags.

I am so honored and excited to address all of you as our newest esteemed Americans at this historical Courthouse, presided over by one of the most patriotic Americans I know, Judge Davis.

Many of you know Judge Davis’s father Raymond Davis was a 4-star USMC General, he was recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

General Davis and his comrades fought in Korean War and saved 50+ million South Koreans. South Koreans are so thankful to all of them.

Thank you, Judge Davis, for this invitation and your kind introduction.

I liked that you used the exaggerated version of my resume.

I also want to express my gratitude to everyone serving in today’s auspicious program, as well as all the volunteers and scout members. It is truly an honor to join all of you!

I currently live in Atlanta, Georgia. I am here today with three good friends who are travelling with me to join this celebration: Mr. Sean Park, Mr. Ki Hwan Kim, Mr. Seung Kwon Suh.

Thank you to them for accompanying me today.

New Americans!

Your American Dream starts today! Welcome to America!

You all look fabulous and happy!

I am Sunny Park. An American by choice.

I still remember the morning when I became a U.S. citizen 4 decades ago.

As I left the citizenship ceremony, I kissed the ground, and looked up to the sky while waving American flag and promised my new country ONE thing:

“America, I don’t want you to lose money on me. I will try to be one of the best citizens in American history, so help me God!”

I have yet to achieve this goal, but I am still working hard to serve my neighborhoods, communities, and country.

When I first arrived the US as a Korean immigrant, I had no English ability, no money, well, I had $200, and no relatives in this country.

Despite these obstacles, I stand in front of you this morning to share that the opportunities are boundless in this great country.

I could do it, and certainly, I believe you can do the same or more because you are living in a country where “anything IS possible.”

Once I became a US citizen, being a patriotic American was easy for me.

However, before I became a citizen, there was one decision that I had to struggle with before committing to becoming 100% loyal American.

I believe when a person decides to become a citizen of a country, they must choose one nation to commit their complete loyalty and heart.

As we all know, one man cannot have two wives at the same time (without getting into a lot of trouble).

I had thought perhaps about splitting my commitment to serve both my motherland of South Korea and new adopted country of the United States, but I soon realized that the United States does not deserve my divided loyalties as I read through the Oath of Allegiance.

I finally made a bold decision to put my beloved country, Korea, in my heart!

As you probably studied, America has a unique history that requires its citizens commitment and dedication.

For example, this nation’s earliest settlers, including British immigrants, were called to bear arms and shoot rifles against their own descent, British troops, to defend this land during the Revolutionary War when the US was fighting for its independence.

The United States needs your firm and undivided loyalty as much as You need America’s protection and commitment to you!

The Oath of Allegiance is a contract between each of you and the U.S., and we should meet these obligations as citizens.

Mainly, America wants you to be a patriotic American and a valuable neighbor to others.

The bottom line, this country does not want fake Americans.

I don’t know about you, but I feel “goosebumps” every time I hear our national anthem and see the waving American flag.

As you start your journey as new Americans, I have three items to suggest each of you:

Number one: Enjoy your freedom as a proud American.

America is the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

In this nation, you can do anything you want under the rule of law.

Please enjoy your freedom, but also please remember how freedom is being provided. It is not free.

There are millions uniformed service men and women, many of them are foreign born Americans like you and I, soldiers and first responders serve to keep our neighborhoods and our country be safe.

Number two: Make the most of the Land of Opportunity offers.

America is a unique place of opportunities. You can be very successful here if you try and work hard.

I worked 12-16 hours per day and 6 days every week for over 45 years.

It didn’t hurt me but helped me.

I challenge all of you to plan a few outrageously high personal goals for your American dream and enjoy working hard to achieve it.

When I first arrived in the U.S., I had set a personal goal to someday pay $1 million income tax annually to my new country.

At the time, I was only making $1.80 an hour.

To reach this ambitious goal, it took me 23 years. It was not an easy task, but I had great fun striving to achieve it.

Did I hear that some of you want to know how I did it?

I can share one of my car salesman days’ stories, it will take 3 extra minutes of your time though.

One rainy day in Georgia, a family of four, a couple and two young children walked into the car dealer where I was working and looking for a new car to buy.

They were looking for a light blue Malibu Classic with 4 doors to buy.

Unfortulately, we didn’t have a light blue model in stock.

I checked other Chevy dealers in the Atlanta area but there was none in town.

The disappointed customer settled to purchase a dark blue car which we had in stock, instead.

I finished the paperwork and completed the sale.

They are to come back tomorrow to pick up the new car.

However, the family was not happy with the decision to buy a car not the color they like, light blue. I didn’t like to sell a car the customer is not happy with.

I stopped them and told them not to buy a car they are not happy with.

I promised to find a car in light blue for them.

They were puzzled but agreed with me and left.

I checked stocks at all Chevy dealers in the East Coast and found a light blue car in Knoxville, TN.

I was thrilled to find the car and imagined the family’s happy faces.

I left Atlanta At 4 AM the next day for Knoxville TN, 4-hour drive one way, swapped the car and drove the light blue car back to Atlanta, and delivered the car they were looking for a long time.

As the new car rolled out of the car dealers parking lot, I was happy to see the family was happy!

At those days, car salesmen usually make about $100 per car sales as commission.

After they left me, I checked my commission for the car sale, and I was disappointed in myself.

I only made $20 commission for 2 full days’ work and expenses for 8 hours travel.

But there was nothing I could do about it, I tried hard to forget.

Fast forward, about a month later, I received a call from the man of the family bought the light blue car. He invited me to his office to discuss the fleet sale of the company.

This gentleman was the purchasing manager of Scientific Atlanta, they make big satellite dish antennas, was small company but growing fast, later they were acquired by the tech giant Cisco.

He told me that he was impressed with my customer service and wanted to buy the company fleet, vans and trucks, from me.

To his Company in the following 2 years, I ended up selling more than 200 vehicles, and made a lot more commission than $100.

The reason I shared the story is because I want you to be happy by making others happy.

I ask you to practice the Golden Rule, treat others the way you want to be treated. If you forget, it is in the Bible, Matthew 7:12.

Number three: Take care of your Country

The United State of America is ours!

As US citizens, you will be one of owners of the U. S.

It is like you just bought a castle as your new home.

Question. Who is going to take care of the castle? YOU!

Let me explain with an analogy.

What do you do when you live in a temporary rental apartment and the roof starts to leak?

You will call the management office, and they will come and fix it for you.

What do you do when you own your house and your roof leaks? Yes, no matter what time, or how heavy the rain is falling, you will be on the roof top and start making the repair.

Everything that is GOOD in this country is yours, and all that is NOT THAT GOOD like the roof leak, is also yours!

While you are enjoying American life and US citizenship rights;

If you see some garbage litter around on the street in your neighborhood? It is your duty to pick up.

You hear some people bad-mouth about the United States?

It is your duty to shut them off.

We cannot just complain but need to actively contribute to fix problems together with other Americans.

America is expecting and deserves your L O Y A L T Y, Commitment and Service!

I wish you the best, and pray for God’s blessings for each of you, and our great Nation.

With all our active care and service together, the United States will continue to be the best place to live, and strongest nation in the world!

This Land Is Your Land! Welcome to America!

Speech New American Hero Award Gala March 15, 2024

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 15:30:00 GMT

Speech New American Hero Award Gala March 15, 2024

Good evening!

Welcome to 14 ^th New American Hero Award celebration which coincide with 28 ^th Anniversary of the American Korean Friendship Society.

I am pleased to announce that we have a record-breaking turnout with 240 plus attendees. Thank you all for joining us this evening!

We are honored to have you all here. Several of you made a long-distance trip to be here.

Dr. Abraham Kim flew in from DC today to help our program as an emcee. Thank you, Abe!

We are honored to honor the awardees this evening, Ambassador Sung Kim and Mrs. Kim came all the way from Seoul, and Dr. Chang made the early red-eye flight from Los Angeles. Some of the guests drove 5 hours to get here. Thank you!

I would like to take an opportunity to thank all volunteers, they work hard for the Society, and we thank you all for your efforts and good hearts.

We started the first meeting in 1996 with 38 concerned leaders of both nations. It was at my home, a small room in the basement.

There were USMC General Raymond Davis, Ambassador Jim Laney, US Army General Bill Livsey, Mayor of Seoul City Kim Sang Chul, Dr. Cho Wan-Kyu President of Seoul National University and many other good friends.

AKFS’s mission is simple, literally, we are friends, and make the relationship stronger!

You and I, and each of you are friends, and will be better friends next year. Together, Americans and Koreans enjoys the bonded alliance, and improve.

If I may, I would like to recognize special guests, other than who are on the program, this evening.

I will skip calling the honorees since we will recognize them later,

Here we go.

All Korean War veterans, please stand, and be recognized.

All active and retired military personnel, please stand, and be recognized.

Rep Rich McCormick is here with us.

Georgia State Senator Michael Rhett who sponsored American Korean friendship Caucus at Georgia State Senate is here. He will present the Proclamation later on.

Thanks, Major General Dewayne Wilson with Mrs. Wilson, and retired MG. Patrick Donohoe and Mrs. Donohoe here.

Commissioner Patricia Ross, the Georgia Dept of Veterans Services is here

I would like to ask all elected officials, please stand!

Consul General of Japan, Mr. and Mrs. Mio Maeda are here!

Our 82 ^nd Governor Nathan Deal and his daughter Carrie Deal are with us!

The honorable Andrew Young, former US Amb to the UN here. Thank you.

We all welcome Mrs. Min-Sun Lee, Ambassador Kim’s wife, also came from Seoul.

I would like to thank Mr. Il Bum Kim, EVP, Hyundai Motor Group, and my good friend, for all good help, connecting with Ambassador Sung Kim.

All guests from Hyundai Motor Group, came from Seoul and DC, please stand.

All members of the board and staff of American Korean Friendship Society, please stand.

Now, it is time for me to recognize and thank all of you! Everyone please stands and take my bow!

NOW, IT IS TIME FOR ME TO BRAG!

I want to brag about the record-breaking sponsorship as well!

Because of the sponsors, we could order nicer meals and be able to do many good programs. Please know that your dollars are working hard in the Society.

We would like to recognize this year’s generous sponsors for the celebration.

We established a new award and named it The Paragon Award.

I think all sponsors are here this evening except Georgia Ports Authority.

Savannah’s Garden City Container Terminal became #4 port among 65 US ports. We are proud of the GPA and its employees running the state business successfully.

All sponsors please come forward and be recognized.

Mr.& Mrs. Frank Blake

Georgia Banking Co

General Building Maintenance

Atlanta North Dermatology

Southeast Regional Center

The Chu Family Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Na Ki Yun

General and Mrs. Larry Ellis

Mr. and Mrs. Sam Olens

THANK YOU SO MUCH, WE COULDN’T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT!

Veterans day speech at Rotary Club of Cumming, GA

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 15:27:46 GMT

Veterans day speech at Rotary Club of Cumming, GA

November 9, 2023 Sunny K. Park

INTRODUCTION

Good morning!

fellow Rotarians of the Forsyth Rotary Club, Distinguished Guests,

Families, Friends and Patriots.

Thanks for including me in today’s Veterans Day Ceremony!

OBSERVANCE HISTORY

Veterans Day commemoration is very special and personal to me.

It is a day of national awareness and solemn reverence; a day for us

to honor the military men and women who gave their lives in defense

of our nation, its values, and our freedom.

Veterans Day gives us the opportunity to stop and think about brave

Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our great nation.

MY STORY GROWING-UP IN SOUTH KOREA

I am honored to have the opportunity to share my story of American

servicemen I met when I was very young and thank them!

As some of you may know, I was born in South Korea, a beautiful country!

I often brag about South Korea and how much it has grown since the

Korean War; I like to brag about its miracle economy, and how

industrialized it has become.

However, the miracle economy and advanced technology wouldn’t

possible without the contributions of the United States.

We are here today to Remember and Honor those American heroes

including those who saved South Korea from the tragedies of war.

The Korean War broke out on June 25,1950; I was about to celebrate my 8th birthday.

The Communist North Koreans in Soviet Union made tanks invaded

South Korea in early Sunday morning.

Instead of celebrating my birthday,

my family and millions of South Koreans fled the South Korea’s

Capitol City of Seoul and walked three days and three nights to the

South.

We were on foot in our escape and realized the North Korean Army had outpaced us.

We refugees fell under Communist control.

Our way of life changed dramatically for the worse.

Many of our freedoms were snatched away immediately.

We had to report to daily community meetings for head count each

morning and each evening.

If you didn’t show up to the meetings and labor calls, you would be

eliminated from the food ration list and eventually starve.

We had to obtain a permit to visit our relatives living in a neighboring town.

There were no cell walls or barbwires around us, but we were living literally inside a jail cell.

There was no more freedom of speech;

no more freedom of assembly,

and no more freedom of religion

and other rights that we had previously enjoyed.

We learned the value of freedom quickly as we were treated like animals!

I am still struggling with which is more important, LIFE or FREEDOM

or FREEDOM or LIFE!

As the war escalated, there were dead bodies of troops from both

sides, everywhere we looked!

We sensed South Korea was about to fall under total Communist control.

But then, it was almost like magic!

American troops arrived and the tide of the war changed very quickly.

General MacArthur’s successful Inchon Landing and the US military’s

brave intervention saved millions of lives in South Korea and change

the future of this country.

1953, I survived the war and could eventually celebrate my 11th

birthday when the war ended.

My friends who joined my birthday party, they didn’t need to obtain

permission to cross the country line.

The Communist were gone, and our freedoms was restored.

However, the cost of the war was enormous; we lost far too many lives.

In early Summer of 1953, I remember playing at Creekside with two

friends not far from one of the battlefields.

All sudden, we heard thunderous bombing sounds in the sky, and

noticed a US fighter plane, hit by enemy fire, was falling from the sky

with twisting smoke tail.

We, three scared youngsters, ran to the crash site to see if we could help the pilots.

We hoped the pilots had ejected and survived the crash. But disappointingly, we found the pilot’s body in pieces.

The pilot’s handgun was threaded through his intestine and dangling in a weighted tree branch.

We were helpless and shocked.

There was a family picture of on the dirt, apparently dropped from the

pilot’s pocket when the fighter crashed.

We could tell that the pilot was from a great family.

He was a son of a graceful looking couple,

a father of a handsome young boy

and husband of very beautiful woman.

I picked up the photograph and wiped off the blood and dirt!

The scene of the crash site and that photo is still imprinted in my

memory even Today!

The pilot is one of 36,516 brave America heroes killed in Korean War

while protecting my freedom and my life!

GOLD STAR FAMILIES

Today, we continue to honor those left behind those who paid a very

personal price for us and our nation.

And allow me to express my appreciation to you on behalf of all those

present today.

We are humbled by your sacrifice, inspired by your resilience and

grateful for your continued service to your communities.

CLOSING AND CALL TO ACTION

This Veterans Day, I hope that we can think a moment about what we,

the beneficiaries, can do to make the most of the fallen heroes’

ultimate sacrifices.

I often wonder about what the fallen heroes would like to see among us?!

I would think that some of them tells us, like,

“I’ve done my share, you take care of the great nation and educate

your next generation good.”

If you will, I would like to suggest all of us to make the heroes in

Heaven we remember and honor today, happy.

Would you like to join me to respond them: Let’s shout together.

“WE WILL TAKE OF OUR COUNTRY and EDUCATE OUR NEXT

GENERATION GOOD!”

Thank you for the opportunity to remembering our men and women in

military uniform, and their selfless services.

God bless each of you and

God bless my country the United States of America!

Sunny Park CKA award acceptance speech 28 Oct 2023

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 15:24:26 GMT

Sunny Park CKA award acceptance speech 28 Oct 2023

Good evening!

Do you know the life is like a vending machine. The more coins you

put in, the more candies drops down. Did you know that?

Thank you General Ellis for your kind introduction!

General Ellis is a true leader and a soldier of soldiers.

With General Ellis, Mrs. Jean Ellis and their lovely daughter Colonel

Deborah is here with us.

I would also like to thank to my personal friends here with us, from

Atlanta, Jacksonville, New York, and from Washington, DC.

Paul Kim, Steve Hahn, General Edmunds / Colonel Rick Dean/ Colonel

Steve Lee / Command Sergeant Major White/ Ms. Judy McKevitt/ Kiho

Kang/ AND, Sang Cho and his bride Yoonjoo from Jacksonville, FL/ and,

Jae Kim/ Michael and Sarah Park, Lee Shereve, Amanda Cho from

Atlanta/ Larry Henschel of DC!

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING IN MY HONOR!

_____________________________

I am here with my daughter Kathy's family from Brooklyn, NY, her

husband Rob Price, and my precious grandchildren Greyson and

Charlotte. I love you all!

I am a Republican. My dear daughter Kathy worked for the New York

Times and the Harper's Magazine.

We rarely discuss political view points because the family is more

important than the politics.

____________________________

I want to thank to the members AND the leaders of CKA, in particularly

Dr. Abraham Kim and the board chair Mr. Peter Huh for outstanding leadership!

CKA in the past 12 years made grandeur achievements. We are very proud!

I am receiving the Award behalf of the first generation of Korean immigrant.

I can be bias but the first generation of Korean immigrants, have done

remarkable work to build a sturdy foundation for the future of our

ethnic group.

If you agree, please join me with a round applause to recognize the first

generation's contributions.

_____________________________

It was September 5, 1974, I arrived the US for the first time, and landed

a job and start working the same day, making $1.8 an hour even before

I unzip my luggage.

During last forty years, I built a business that become one of top 10

privately owned janitorial service providers in the US, with operations

in 23 major cities in the US.

_________________

Fast forward, a number of years ago, Steve Forbes, the publisher of

Forbes magazine, invited me to his yacht The Highlander for a dinner,

cruising around beautiful Boston Harbor.

I was one of his 24 guests that he was entertaining.

The guest list included former PM of Great Britain Margaret Thatcher

and Mrs. Nancy Reagan.

_______________

At one of WH state dinners I attend, than the First Lady Hillary Clinton

asked me to dance with her.

She and I swinging around the White House Rotunda.... a Republican

and a renown Democrat holds in hand in hand and dance away with the

energetic cha cha cha, the Marine Corp Chamber Orchestra plays ...

____________________

In 1998, I became a minority partner of a Morgan Stanley real estate

project in Asia.

_____________

I use these bragging stories to attract myself to young American

audiences, particularly those high school droppouts.

Our nation, the land of opportunity, is in trouble because too many,

over one million HS students dropping out each year!

I started a nonprofit called Good Neighboring Campaign. One of

programs called, "If Sunny Can, I Can" to challenge American youth do

better in finishing high school education, and become a productive citizen.

My "success" story of an Asian immigrant arrived the US with no

money and no language became a millionaire; works good in

stimulating their ego and pride.

By the way, the 3 other awardees this evening have even better stories

in helping the USA moving forward!

Congratulations to Ashley Park, James Rhee and Song Richardson!

__________________________

Likewise, CKA is formed with amazing group of elites. You all should be

very proud of yourselves, decided to use this weekend for CKA mission.

I am certain that you all belong to the top 20% elites group of the

society.

The question is: How perfect shape of 20% are you!

The imperfect 20%, like just 2 legs for a 3 legged stool, your 20% may

be useless without the other 80%. Hope you are following my English?

Ultimately, both the 80% group and the 20% group, MUST help each

other to enjoy the 100% outcome.

Dr. Kim named the award Embrace and Unity award.

I guess Abe would like to suggest us work together embrace and invest

in our neighborhoods, and unite ourselves for the betterments of our

communities and the Ship we all are in, named the US.

It is time to put more coins to the vending machine called the US.

Together, the integral Americans of Korean ancestry will be the main

components of the USA in moving forward!

Can the US count on us, is a big question!

May God bless you all, and may God bless my country, the United

States of America! Thank you!

Korean Federation SE 2023 Sports Festival Speech

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 15:21:27 GMT

The 2023 Korean American Sports Festival Is Yours to Enjoy!

Sunny K. Park, Founder,

Federation of Korean American Association of the Southeastern U. S.

Greetings to all the athletes participating in the 41st Southeast United States

Korean American Sports Festival! We created it for you and you to enjoy!

Through your participation, our community will be made stronger—the

essential ingredient for the future of all Korean Americans and the United

States of America.

In June 1981, 48 dedicated Korean American community leaders from 18

cities in the six US southeastern states gathered and discussed finding some

ideal solutions to building a united community for future Korean American

generations. Having an annual sports festival was one of a few plans, and

the event has now become a tradition after 40 years.

Moreover, we are proud to say that it has also become one of the most

popular and effective events for youth among the Korean American

community. We have made great progress in the last few decades in

bringing our people together.

As you can imagine, the efforts of hundreds of community volunteers are

required to organize and prepare such an event and the venue. A few

oversights may have occurred; while we strive to be perfect, we often can’t

be. As such, I would like to challenge each of you to take your own

ownership of the festival and help to improve our future events.

Please pay attention to newly established Great American Scholarship

program. $10,000 and $5,000 scholarships just for college bound Korean

American high school students from the Southeastern United States. It is

scheduled to take applications in November 2023.

I congratulate Mr. Andrew Hong, the chairman, the leadership of the

federation, the organizers, and volunteers for the successful sports festival.

I hope you all enjoy the day, renew old friendships, and make new ones.

Memorial Day Speech, City of Roswell, GA May 29, 2023 Sunny K. Park

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 15:19:18 GMT

Memorial Day Speech, City of Roswell, GA

May 29, 2023 Sunny K. Park

INTRODUCTION

Good morning!

Mr. Dave Young, Mayor Kurt Wilson of the City of Roswell,

Mr. John Carruth and fellow Rotarians of the Roswell Rotary Club,

Distinguished Guests, Families, Friends and Patriots.

Thanks for including me in today’s Memorial Day Ceremony!

OBSERVANCE HISTORY

Memorial Day commemoration is very special and personal to me.

It is a day of national awareness and solemn reverence; a day for us

to honor the military men and women who gave their lives in defense

of our nation, its values, and our freedom.

Memorial Day gives us the opportunity to stop and think about brave

Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our great

nation.

MY STORY GROWING-UP IN SOUTH KOREA

I am honored to have the opportunity to share my story of American

servicemen I met when I was very young and thank them!

As some of you may know, I was born in South Korea, a beautiful

country!

I often brag about South Korea and how much it has grown since the

Korean War; I like to brag about its miracle economy, and how

industrialized it has become.

However, the miracle economy and advanced technology wouldn’t

possible without the contributions of the United States.

We are here today to Remember and Honor those American heroes

including those who saved South Korea from the tragedies of war.

The Korean War broke out on June 25,1950;

I was about to celebrate my 8th birthday.

The Communist North Koreans in Soviet Union made tanks invaded

South Korea in early Sunday morning.

Instead of celebrating my birthday,

my family and millions of South Koreans fled the South Korea’s

Capitol City of Seoul and walked three days and three nights to the

South.

We were on foot in our escape and realized the North Korean Army

had outpaced us.

We refugees fell under Communist control.

Our way of life changed dramatically for the worse.

Many of our freedoms were snatched away immediately.

We had to report to daily community meetings for head count each

morning and each evening.

If you didn’t show up to the meetings and labor calls, you would be

eliminated from the food ration list and eventually starve.

We had to obtain a permit to visit our relatives living in a neighboring

town.

There were no cell walls or barbwires around us, but we were living

literally inside a jail cell.

There was no more freedom of speech;

no more freedom of assembly,

and no more freedom of religion

and other rights that we had previously enjoyed.

We learned the value of freedom quickly as we were treated like

animals!

I am still struggling with which is more important, LIFE or FREEDOM

or FREEDOM or LIFE!

As the war escalated, there were dead bodies of troops from both

sides, everywhere we looked!

We sensed South Korea was about to fall under total Communist

control.

But then, it was almost like magic!

American troops arrived and the tide of the war changed very quickly.

General MacArthur’s successful Inchon Landing and the US military’s

brave intervention saved millions of lives in South Korea and change

the future of this country.

1953, I survived the war and could eventually celebrate my 11th

birthday when the war ended.

My friends who joined my birthday party, they didn’t need to obtain

permission to cross the country line.

The Communist were gone, and our freedoms was restored.

However, the cost of the war was enormous; we lost far too many

lives.

In early Summer of 1953, I remember playing at Creekside with two

friends not far from one of the battlefields.

All sudden, we heard thunderous bombing sounds in the sky, and

noticed a US fighter plane, hit by enemy fire, was falling from the sky

with twisting smoke tail.

We, three scared youngsters, ran to the crash site to see if we could

help the pilots.

We hoped the pilots had ejected and survived the crash. But

disappointingly, we found the pilot’s body in pieces.

The pilot’s handgun was threaded through his intestine and dangling

in a weighted tree branch.

We were helpless and shocked.

There was a family picture of on the dirt, apparently dropped from the

pilot’s pocket when the fighter crashed.

We could tell that the pilot was from a great family.

He was a son of a graceful looking couple,

a father of a handsome young boy

and husband of very beautiful woman.

I picked up the photograph and wiped off the blood and dirt!

The scene of the crash site and that photo is still imprinted in my

memory even Today!

The pilot is one of 36,516 brave America heroes killed in Korean War

while protecting my freedom and my life!

GOLD STAR FAMILIES

Today, we continue to honor those left behind those who paid a very

personal price for us and our nation, our Gold Star families.

Could all the Gold Star Family members in the audience to please

stand. [PAUSE]

And allow me to express my appreciation to you on behalf of all those

present today.

We are humbled by your sacrifice, inspired by your resilience and

grateful for your continued service to your communities.

CLOSING AND CALL TO ACTION

This Memorial Day, I hope that we can think a moment about what we,

the beneficiaries, can do to make the most of the fallen heroes’

ultimate sacrifices.

I often wonder about what the fallen heroes would like to see among us?!

I would think that some of them tells us, like,

“I’ve done my share, you take care of the great nation and educate

your next generation good.”

If you will, I would like to suggest all of us to make the heroes in

Heaven we remember and honor today, happy.

Would you like to join me to respond them: Let’s shout together.

“WE WILL TAKE OF OUR COUNTRY and EDUCATE OUR NEXT

GENERATION GOOD!”

Thank you for the opportunity to remembering our men and women in

military uniform, and their selfless services.

God bless each of you and

God bless my country the United States of America!

동남부 연합회 기고문 5.25.2022

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 15:16:46 GMT

우리를 미국의 주류가 되도룩 이끄는 동남부 한인회 연합회

박선근 전 연합회장 2022.5.25

동남부 한인회 연합회 창립 40주년을 축하 합니다. 최병일 연합회장과 임원 제위를 비롯하여,

지난 40년간 연합회를 미국에서 모범단체로 이루어 내신 모든 봉사자들께 축하와 감사를

드립니다. 이제는 우리끼리의 모임이 아니라, 우리들이 미국의 일원으로 활약을 해야할 시기가

왔다고 믿습니다.

우리 옛말에, 호랑이는 죽어서 가죽을 남기고, 사람은 이름을 남긴다고 했읍니다. 우리들은 아주

특별하고 축복스러운 이름을 받은 사람들입니다. 바로, 이민 1세 라는 이름입니다! 우리들의

특별한 브랜드라고 생각하시면 적합합니다. 280 마일 밖에 않되는 서울에서 부산으로만 이사를

가더라도 큰 용기와 준비가 필요한데 6-7,000마일이나 떨어져있고, 문화와 언어가 다른 미국으로

이민하는 결심을 하신 우리 이민 1세들의 용기와 각오는 대단한 것입니다. 그 용기를 가지고

그야말로 낯설고 물설은 이 미국 땅에 터전을 잡은 역사를 이루어 놓은 사람들입니다.

그러나, 자칮하면, “용기있는 이민1세”라는 좋은 이름을 가진 우리들이 “자신들만을 위해

후세들의 출세를 막은 추한 이민자” 라는 나쁜 이름을 갖게될 수도 있읍니다.

우리들이 우리들의 후세들에게 남겨 주어야 할 절대적인 유산은, 우리 한인들도 이 나라의

주류이고 실세라는 것을 실감이 나도록 만드는것입니다. 미국의 실세가 되는 일이 생각 보다

쉽습니다. 실세가 된 미국의 역사를 공부하고 실세가 된 사람들의 행적을 따라 하면 가능하다고

봅니다. 독립전쟁 당시 영국계 이민자들이 영국군을 향해 총을 쏘게 했던 그 어려운 결정이

미국의 독립을 가져 왔읍니다. 하지만 바로 그 영국계 이민자들이 오늘 영국을 돕고 있읍니다.

우리들이 시민권 신청서에 서명을 했드시, 미국은 우리의 충성을 요구할 권리가 있고 우리는

반응을 해야 할 의무가 있습니다. 이민자들의 시집인 미국의 이웃과 나라에 봉사를 꾸준히

하는것이 이 나라의 실세로 발전하는 실세로의 첫걸음 입니다.

우리 한인 이민자들은 이 “귀찮은 일”을 해내야 하는 숙명을 스스로 선택한 사람들입니다.

우리들은 나무를 심고, 우리 아이들은 그 나무에 열리는 열매를 따서 이웃과 나누는 역사를

만들어야 합니다.

우리 한인들 모두가 이 나라에서 “기여하고 필요한 이웃” 이라는 브랜드를 만들때 바로 우리들이

주류로서 이 땅에 우뚝 서게 될것입니다.

동남부 연합회장 이취임식 박선근 인사문 9.17.2022

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 15:13:59 GMT

비 한인들도 포용하는 한인회로 도약 시키는 동남부 한인회 연합회

박선근 전 연합회장 2022.9.17

문화와 언어 등 모든것이 생소한 이민 환경 속에서 동남부 한인회 연합회를 약진하는 마흔살의

성년으로 성장시킨 연합회 회원과 지도자 여러분의 공로에 감사와 경의를 드립니다. 또한, 지난

2년동안 전염병으로 어수선한 시기에 연합회를 잘 이끌어 온 최병일 연합회장의 노고에 박수를

보내 드립니다. 그간 어려운 고비들을 잘 넘기고 슬기로운 결정들을 하신 이사장, 이사, 회장단

임원 제위에게 또한 감사를 드립니다.

더우기, 한인사회를 분열 시키는 조직들과의 차별화 된 전통을 성공적으로 지키고, 동남부

한인회 연합회의 긍지를 지켜온 회원과, 이사진, 회장단의 수준높은 지도력에 크게 감사

드리고자 합니다.

우리 연합회 지도층의 평균 연령이 젊어지고 있는 반가운 현상을 우리들은 만들어 내고

있습니다. 우리 동남부 연합회가 미주 한인사회의 명실공한 모델 단체로 계속 약진을 하려면,

후진들을 내세우고, 그들을 성원하는 변화를 이루어 내야 한다고 믿고 있습니다. 미국 동남부

각 지역 한인회에 10대 20대들이 찾아오고 마음 편하게 어울리는 마당을 우리는 만들수

있을것입니다. 그 다음에는, 비 한인들도 우리 한인회의 회원이 되어 함께 어울리는 한인회를

구축하면서 우리 한인들이 미국의 이웃들을 포용해야 할 시기를 만들어야 될것입니다. 따라서,

우리들의 한인회는, 한인들만을 위한 조직에서 탈피하여, 지역사회를 연합하고 발전 시키는

미국의 모델 기구로 약진을 할수 있을것입니다.

우리 옛말에, 호랑이는 죽어서 가죽을 남기고, 사람은 이름을 남긴다고 했읍니다. 우리들은

아주 특별하고 축복스러운 이름을 받은 사람들입니다. 바로, 이민 1세 라는 이름입니다!

우리들이 바로 그 명품 브랜드라고 생각하시면 적합합니다. 그러나 자칮하면, “자신들만의

안위를 위해 “후배들의 출세에 무관심 했던 선배 이민자” 라는 나쁜 이름을 갖게될 수도

있습니다.

우리 한인들 모두가 이 나라의 지역 사회에서 “기여하고 필요한 이웃” 이라는 브랜드를 만들때

바로 우리들이 이 나라의 주류로서 이 땅에 우뚝 서게 될것이고, 후배들로부터 인정도 받을수

있게 될것입니다.

그렇한 자랑스러운 역사를 창조 시킬수 있는 조직이 바로 우리 동남부 한인회 연합회라고 생각

합니다. 용기가 많은 이민자, 그중에서도 이민1세, 그 중에서도 지도층인 우리들에게 맡겨진

책임은 막중하다고 봅니다. 우리 앞에 놓여진 이 절묘의 기회를 잘 활용 해야 할것입니다.

오늘 이임을 하는 최병일 회장단의 노고에 감사를 드리면서, 약진하는 젊은 홍승원 회장의

출범을 축하 드립니다. 본인을 포함, 우리 회원들은, 새로운 연합회의 성공을 위해서도 성원을

해야 할것입니다.

Acceptance speech: Freedom Award by Georgia Public Policy Foundation. 28 Jan 2020

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 15:12:15 GMT

Acceptance speech: Freedom Award by Georgia Public Policy Foundation. 28 Jan 2020

Thank you, I love you all!

Thank you, General Ellis, for your kind and warm introduction. I

am proud to receive such recognition from such a distinguished

person as you.

Thanks to Dr. Michael Youssef, for your prayers and warm

comments. I love to be praised! However, I am a little confused,

my pastor told me that I am a sinner at the Church buy now he

said that I am a fine man.

I want to recognize my heroes who fought for my life and

freedom; our Korean War veterans!

I want to thank Consul General Kim of Korea, for attending this

celebration and being present for this honor.

Korea is a beautiful country with full of kind and industrialized

people, and I strive to honor my heritage!

Mr. Nakamura, deputy CG of Japan is here with us, thank you!

Thanks to all of you for coming to my bragging party!

Thanks to Yoon-Chul Kim, the new president of Korean

American Association of Greater Atlanta.

I want to thank

Renasant Bank and Bartow Morgan,

Georgia Ports Authority-Jamie McCurry, Robert Morris, Bart Gobeil,

the McCamish Group-Oh we miss Hank!,

David Allman, Paul Kim, Frank Barron, Berry College, Steve

Briggs, and Joe Woodson of my company GBM, for your

sponsorships and support. GPPF is an excellent organization

for your investment!

I have an old friend came from Korea to celebrate with us. SW

Kim is here!

There are a few who believed in me and supported me all the

way, especially my family and my wife Kay who energized and

supported me all the way.

Thanks to Oz Nelson, Frank Blake, Senator David Perdue,

Bjay Pak, and all of you!

There are many others in my list to thank; the list goes very long,

longer than the Pharmacy receipt tape! … But Benita warned

me to keep it short!

Did you see the Freedom Award recipients in the program?

I never imagined I would be in the company of such great leaders.

I’m still not sure I deserve such recognition. But I know that my

mother, Pyunnim Park, would see this differently if she was still

alive.

She would shout loud to all of you: … “I knew that my son

would receive the Freedom Award.” Can you hear her voice?

She was my greatest cheerleader!

My God and my mother are believed in me through all my life

and stood beside me.

Thanks to GPPF Board, chair Rogers Wade, Kyle Wingfield,

who clearly selected me by an accident.

My nonprofit Good Neighboring Foundation will continue to print

patriots pocket cards, and print US Constitution books in 3

Asian languages and distribute it to Asian-American

communities throughout the U.S.

The Cato Institute inspired my team to start it. So, a special

thank-you to our keynote speaker, John Allison of Cato!

I want to thank to most of all, the United States of America, my

adopted nation!

I arrived the US in 1974 with $200 in my pocket and very little

English. Six hours after I landed, I started a job making $1.80 an

hour. The value of $1.80 was about 40 times more in Korea at

that time. It can happen only in America!

I started cleaning the floors of a steakhouse in Indianapolis.

Today, I own a company that employs 3,000 and cleans over 1

million toilets every day in over 25 major US cities. It can happen

only in America!

This great nation gave me all I needed to reach my “stupid” goal:

to pay $1 Million in annual income tax. It took me 17 years but It

can happen only in America!

A lot of people told me in my old days there is no free lunch in

America.

I made decision to work hard, to make sure the USA wouldn’t lose

money on me, and, America with my devotions, she would be

better in shape than the day I arrived.

Know this: This is my story, and a story of my fellow immigrants

from Asia. We may be perceived as foreigners because of our

Asian appearance. But we are making contributions in all sectors

of OUR beloved nation.

This is a story of America, the Land of Opportunity. Any

American can seize it. I call it if Sunny Can, Anyone can!

I’m honored to accept this award as a tool to help me influence

the lives of young Americans better.

I hope they, including these cadets at Youth Challenge academy,

sees me as someone qualified to tell them what to do and what to

not do to be successful.

This award will help me do a better job for sure. So help me God!

Thank you, and may God bless you all!

Sunny Park’s Acceptance Speech for the ICAS Liberty Award, December 3, 2018

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 15:10:22 GMT

Sunny Park’s Acceptance Speech for the ICAS Liberty Award, December 3, 2018

Thank you everyone and thank you Senator Perdue for your kind introduction. You have done

great job exaggerating about my backgrounds. I like it.

You are a true statesman, and we are very proud of you. I appreciate you and Bonnie so much for

taking the time out of your busy schedules to join us this evening. You as an “outsider” in

Washington, making big impacts for right things for American people. We thank you.

Wow! What an honor for this humble janitor to receive the Liberty Award tonight!

I wonder what I have done to deserve this distinguished prize.

In old Korean proverb, a rabbit is a teacher in the valley with no tigers around. I feel that I am a

rabbit where tigers are gone on vacation.

I am appreciative of the Institute for Corean-American Studies. Synja Kim, Sang Joo Kim for the

award. I also appreciate the selection committee have made the mistake of choosing me—a

person certainly at the bottom of the nominees’ list.

I want to congratulate Ambassador Hubbard for also receiving the Liberty Award this evening.

I am very honored and grateful for the guests at our table:

Secretary Sonny Perdue, who is cousin of Senator Perdue, is former governor of the great state of

Georgia. He is a rare statesman, and Georgians are proud of his legacy. Congressman Rob

Woodall joins us, and he has done a fantastic job for Georgia’s 7th District and our Nation.

Congresswoman Amata Radewagen and her husband, Fred, from American Samoa are also here.

Congratulations for your successful reelection campaign with landslide victory! She suggested

that I visit the beautiful Islands, and I am still rowing… Some of you may have noticed that

many of my guests and I share the same blood type, Red, they are proud patriots!

We are honored to have a guest from South Korea, Retired Korean Army three-star general

Inbum Chun, who makes us proud in many ways. We also have Joshua Lee of the Radio Free

Asia here. Thank you so much for coming tonight.

ICAS is the reason people have a better understanding of the unique relationship of the US and

South Korea. Congratulations for your great accomplishments that ICAS has made since 1973. I

solute you for your passion and for your remarkable accomplishments.

If I may, I would like to take this opportunity to share my Love Affair for the United States.

I was 8 years old when the Korean War broke. North Korean Communists invaded South Korea

in June 25, 1950. During the war, I saw many brave American troops arrive in Korea and fought

against the Communist North. So many have sacrificed and died for me and millions of South

Koreans.

After the War, generous Americans provided me and other starving South Koreans relief

supplies such as food, clothes, and school supplies. We were so poor and hungry after the war. I

had to attach my worn-out pencil to a chop stick with a rubber band to write. Pencils were too

short to hold. Our note book was newspapers, we wrote love poems between the lines of war-

front news articles. I and my fellow students were praying for pencils and note books.

Sure enough, I went to school one morning, and found on my desk brand new yellow No 2

pencils, not one but a dozen, and free of charge. Every student received the precious gifts, new

pencils and note books. I still remember the cedar aroma of the pencils.

While I enjoy using it, I always thankful for those people sent us these gifts. They are Americans

attending the Bible based churches. These Americans provided us with food when we were

hungry, sent us warm jackets when we were so cold with no socks, new pencils, and new

notebooks. To me, Americans are the bravest and most generous people in the world. Naturally,

my admiration for Americans grew bigger as time passes, and I am determined to be an

American, to be brave and generous.

Fast forward, I finally landed on the US soil, Indianapolis Airport in 1974. I was so excited to be

in the land of opportunity. Land of opportunity is for sure, I landed a job on that same day. I,

who can’t even speak English, started cleaning a steak house kitchen the same day I arrived, and

started making $1.80 an hour. I couldn’t believe there is such a place like America in anywhere

in the world.

I started thinking on how I can pay back to this great Nation. One of the first things I have done

in the US is to learn the lyrics of the National Anthem and practice the Pledge of Allegiance to

the flag of the US. The U. S. deserved my loyalty and respect, I determined to be one of best

citizens in the U. S. In this land of opportunity, I will work hard and want to be a rich, rich like

Andrew Carnegie, a fellow immigrant from Scotland and become the king of steel. At least for

the plan B, I want to be able to pay one million dollars as income taxes per year.

Well, I didn’t make the king of anything but I earned the title Chief Executive Janitor, and I am

proud of my company, genuine people working hard every day and night. That is the story of my

“love affair” for the U.S.

So, what should I do with this Liberty Award? I think I will utilize the award to attract my youth

audiences. With this award, I may look like a tiger, rather than a rabbit, to those youth audiences,

and pay more attention to my mentoring programs for high school dropouts.

You probably know but there are about 1.3 Million high school students dropping out each year

from high schools in the U.S. I think by helping them to stay in school is a better plan than to

take care of them later when many of them end up in jail. The statistics show that about 60% of

inmates are high school dropouts.

I want to spend time with high school dropouts as a mentor, trying to help them to rehabilitate,

and transform to be a productive citizen. My mentoring efforts at Youth Challenge Academies

are well intended, but getting and holding the attention of teens can be difficult, as many of you

know—or perhaps remember. This Liberty Award will help me to get their attentions, and I may

able to do a better job in paying back to America. For that, I thank ICAS for Liberty Award.

Together with contributions by all Americans, we will continue to be the land of opportunity

hundreds of years to come! May God bless the U. S. A.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

내가 바뀌는 2020

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 15:08:40 GMT

내가 바뀌는 2020

박선근, 한미우호협회 회장

또 다른 한해가 돌아 왔군요, 영리하기로 알려진 쥐의 해를 새로 맞이하면서 기대가 큽니다. 새해를

맞이 할때면 지난날들을 평가해 보면서 희망 찬 새 열두달을 설계 하는 시간을 갖게 되는데, 즐겁기

그지 없지요. 스스로 낳아주고 길러준 고향과 나라를 등지고 문화와 언어 등 너무나도 다른것이

많은 나라 미국에 식구들의 팔을 이끌고 이민을 한 우리들은 받은 은혜를 갚아야 할 일이 너무나

많습니다. 충성을 해야 할 나라의 숫자도 두개로 늘어 났고, 외우고 열창을 해야할 애국가도 두개를

갖게 되었습니다. 어떻게 보면, 그동안의 이민 생활을 통하여 루어 놓은것이 있는것같기도 하지만,

조금 다른 각도에서 견주어 보면 너무 한쪽으로 기울어진 삶을 산것같기도 합니다. 이민자로서

바쁘게 살았지만 시간의 관리를 제대로 하고 살았나 하는 회의도 듭니다. “미국 땅에 자랑스러운

한국의 문화를 심고 미국 주류 사회에 공여 해야” 한다고 말은 많이 했지만, 우리들의 주변이나

자식들의 시각으로는 어떻게 평가 되는지 모르겠습니다.

새해에는, 쥐처럼 영리하게 살고자 합니다. 바꿀수가 없는 것을 바꾸어 보려고 바둥대는 삶을

끝내야 되겠다고 다짐해 봅니다. 예를 들어서, 바꿀수 없는 과거에 뭍혀서 살지 않고 바꿀수 있는

장래를 즐기며 살아 가렵니다. 새해에는, 바꿀수 없는 타인들, 관계에 오해가 있는 사람들의 마음

자세 를 바꾸려 하지 않고, 바꿀수 있는 나의 관념과 인식을 바꾸어 보겠습니다. “똥 묻은 되지가 겨

묻은 되지를 나무란다” 는 한국의 속담이 있습니다. 똥이 잔뜩 묻은 오점 투성이의 내가, 나 보다

훨씬 작은 쥐 보다 좀 영리하고 실질적으로 행동하고 모범을 보이는 새해를 만들려고 노력해

보겠습니다.

SE US K-A Federation 2018 체육대회 격려 인사문

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 15:07:09 GMT

You Are Remarkable Americans!

Sunny K. Park, Founder, Korean American Federation of the SE of the United States

June 8, 2018

Greetings to the participating Korean-American athletes of the 38 th Southeast United

States Korean American Sports Festival. You have decided to join the historical Korean-

American event on June 8-9, 2018. You should realize that you are not only competing

for yourself and your team, but immensely helping the community to unite. With your

participation, we are stronger and larger community, be able to serve our neighbors and

the United States better. You are remarkable Americans!

On June 1981, 48 dedicated Korean American community leaders from 18 major cities

in the Southeastern United States gathered in Atlanta to discuss solutions to build a

united community for future Korean American generations. One of solutions was to

have an annual sport’s festival for Korean American youth which you are making it this

weekend. Moreover, we are proud to say that it became one of the most popular and

effective Korean-American events for youth across the Korean-American communities

in the U. S. We have made remarkable progress in the last decades by uniting

communities across the Region into one strong community.

As you can imagine, preparation is exhausting with hundreds of community leaders

investing their time to organize to ensure athletes and observers will have the best

experience possible. Planning and execution never goes to plan, but I challenge each of

you to take ownership in the Festival and Federation to help progress and improve by

volunteering to take the time to help leadership and organizers in future events.

I would like to ask you to join me to thank the leadership of the Federation of Korean

Americans, Southeast and organizers of the Sports Festival. Mr. Hwan Son, president;

Mr. Seong Won Hong-Secretary General and the leadership of your local Korean

American Association, and many volunteers invested a great deal of time and efforts for

the Festival successful. Would you join me to express our appreciation when you see

each of them?

This Festival is for you to enjoy and make it better. On behalf of the founders of the

Festival. I wish you the best in your competition. Most important, have a great time,

remember to renew old friendships and make new friends!

Please remember that regardless your team win or lose, the Korean American

Community, together, is winning!

SPEECH BELHAVEN UNIV COMMENCEMENT 16 DEC 2017

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 14:44:56 GMT

SUNNY PARK SPEECH BELHAVEN UNIV COMMENCEMENT 16 DEC 2017

WOW, HOW DO I LOOK?

I AM NOW ONE OF YOU! A BLAZER! YOU ARE ALL MEGNIFICENT!

I AM EXCITED TO BE JOINING THE GREEN TEAM!

THANK YOU, DR. PARROTT, FOR YOUR KIND INTRODUCTION AND WARM WELCOME! AND THANKS ALSO FOR THIS GOWN.

I AM HONORED TO RECEIVE AN HONORARY DOCTORATE FROM BELHAVEN, AND I ACCEPT THE INVITATION TO BE A MEMBER OF BELHAVEN UNIVERSITY.

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU, DR. PARROTT, AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES!

MY LATE MOTHER TAUGHT ME THAT I MUST DO MY BEST IN WHATEVER I DO, SO I DETERMINED THAT I WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT JANITOR—AND I GUESS I AM! NOT MANY JANITORS HAVE HONORARY DOCTORATE…..

I DO NOT KNOW WHAT GOD’S INTENTION TO BRING ME TO BELHAVEN IS;

BUT I AM SURE THAT HE HAS PLANS TO USE SOME OF MY ABILITIES FOR THE BETTERMENT OF BELHAVEN STUDENTS. PRAISE GOD!

SOME OF YOU MAY THINK FROM TIME TO TIME THAT LIFE IS NOT FAIR.

YOU HAD TO INVEST YEARS OF HARD WORK, STUDY, AND RESEARCH TO EARN YOUR BACHELOR’S DEGREE OR MASTER’S DEGREE.

BUT I AM GETTING A DOCTORATE WITH JUST A 20-MINUTE SPEECH. IT SURE DOESN’T SOUND FAIR.

HOWEVER, I WILL NOW GIVE YOU SOME TIPS AND HINTS TO HELP YOU MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR DEGREE FROM BELHAVEN, WHICH IS ALREADY A GREAT HONOR AND ACCOMPLISHMENT. HOPEFULLY THAT MAKES US ALL FAIR AND SQUARE.

TALKING ABOUT FAIR: WHEN YOU SEE A TURTLE SITTING PROUDLY ON A FENCE POST, YOU SURELY KNOW THAT THE TURTLE DIDN’T MAKE IT TO THE TOP ALL ALONE.

NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO RECOGNIZE YOUR TEACHERS AND YOUR PARENTS, YOUR SPOUSE IF YOU HAVE ONE, YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, THE BELHAVEN COMMUNITY, AND—MOST OF ALL—OUR GOD, WHO HAS ENERGIZED US IN EVERY WAY.

WOULD YOU RECOGNIZE THEM WITH A THUNDEROUS ROUND OF APPLAUSE? LIFT UP OUR GOD!

I LOVE BELHAVEN UNIVERSITY!

I WAS HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME ON JUNE 27 OF LAST YEAR WHEN DR. BILLY KIM INVITED ME TO THE GRAND OPENING CEREMONY OF THE BILLY KIM INTERNATIONAL CENTER, A BEAUTIFUL NEW FACILITY IN THE CENTER OF THE BELHAVEN CAMPUS.

I ASKED DR. KIM, WHO IS MY HERO,

“WHY DID YOU CHOOSE BELHAVEN, WHICH IS SO FAR AWAY FROM SOUTH KOREA?”

HE SAID WITHOUT HESITATION: IT IS ALL ABOUT DR. PARROTT.

DR. KIM BECAME A FAN OF DR. PARROTT WHEN THEY MET FOR THE FIRST TIME. HE LOVES DR. PARROTT’S PASSION REGARDING HIS BELHAVEN STUDENTS.

I, TOO, SAW THE SAME PASSION OF DR. PARROTT FOR HIS BELHAVEN STUDENTS. YOU ARE TRULY BLESSED!

CLASS OF 2017!

YOU ARE OPENING ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING CHAPTERS OF YOUR LIFE.

THE WORLD NEEDS YOU, AND THE WORLD IS WAITING FOR YOU!

IT IS TIME TO MAKE THE MOST OF WHAT YOU LEARNED, AND IT IS ALSO TIME TO COLLECT YOUR REWARDS!

DR. PARROTT CALLED ME A FEW MONTHS AGO AND ASKED ME WITH YOU ALL AND FIRE YOU UP—TO GIVE YOU SOME STIMULATION AND TO BOOST YOUR EGOS ON THIS IMPORTANT DAY.

WHAT DR. PARROTT REALLY WANTS TO ACCOMPLISH TODAY AS HE RELEASES YOU TO THE OPEN SEA IS:

“LISTEN TO A BROKEN-ENGLISH-SPEAKING ASIAN IMMIGRANT BRAG ABOUT HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS. LET HIM PUMP YOU UP SO THAT YOU WILL DETERMINE TO MAKE YOUR LIFE EVEN GRANDER THAN HIS IS.”

IN SHORT, HE THINKS IF ANYHTING SUNNY CAN, YOU CAN!

SO, HERE I AM. THINK OF ME LIKE A QUARTERBACK, AND I HAVE A FEW PASSES TO THROW AT YOU.

THINK OF YOURSELF LIKE A WIDE RECEIVER. YOU MUST PAY FULL ATTENTION TO WHERE THE BALL GOES TO MAKE YOUR OWN TOUCHDOWN.

HERE WE GO!

I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN SOUTH KOREA. I CAME TO THE UNITED STATES WITH $200 IN MY POCKET. I CAME HERE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT THIS COUNTRY—A LAND OF OPPORTUNITY—OFFERS, AND TO ENJOY FREEDOM.

AS I MOVE TO THE U. S., I DETERMINED TO BE LIKE MY IDOL, ANDREW CARNEGIE, A FELLOW IMMIGRANT FROM SCOTLAND IN THE LATE 19TH CENTURY. HE IMMIGRATED TO THE US WITH HIS FAMILY AT AGE 9, WITH NO MONEY. HE HELPED HIS MOTHER WORK AT A BOBBIN FACTORY AS A YOUNG BOY. VERY POOR FAMILY IN PITTSBURG AREA.

AS YOU KNOW, HE BECAME THE KING OF STEEL, AS THE OWNER OF U.S. STEEL, AND HE BUILT 2,509 LIBRARIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

HE WAS A GREAT PHILANTHROPIST WHO HELPED PEOPLE LEARN—AND TO LEARN TO MAKE A LIVING.

I THOUGHT TO MYSELF: WHATEVER MR. CARNEGIE DID, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO, EXCEPT FOR THE SMOKING AND DRINKING. TODAY, I’M NOT THE KING OF STEEL, BUT I AM A KING OF CLEANING.

AS I SETTLED IN THIS NEW LAND, I SET A FEW GOALS. ONE OF THEM IS THAT I WOULD BE ONE OF THE BEST CITIZENS THIS NATION HAS EVER HAD.

ABOUT 15 YEARS AFTER I MOVED TO THE US, MY PATRIOTISM FOR THIS GREAT COUNTRY WAS RECOGNIZED WITH AWARDS LIKE THE USO PATRIOT AWARD, THE AMERICANISM MEDAL, AND THE PATRICK HENRY TROPHY.

ONE OF MY OTHER GOALS WAS TO MAKE ENOUGH MONEY IN THIS LAND OF OPPORTUNITY TO PAY $1 MILLION OR MORE IN ANNUAL INCOME TAX.

IN MY EARLY DAYS IN THIS COUNTRY, THE LIST OF THE HIGHEST U. S. TAXPAYERS’ WAS AN INSPIRATION TO ME. WHAT I FOUND OUT THAT MANY OF THOSE HIGHEST TAX PAYERS BACKGROUNDS ARE NORMAL AS ANYONE I KNOW. THEY DIDN’T HAVE HORNS OR TAILS BUT JUST LIKE YOU AND ME. I MADE A BOLD DECISION TO BE ON THAT LIST ONE DAY.

MAKING SUCH COMMITMENTS WHILE EARNING ONLY $1.80 AN HOUR AS A JANITOR SOUNDS CRAZY. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

DO YOU JNOW WHAT? IT TOOK ME ONLY 17 YEARS TO REACH THAT GOAL! HOW ABOUT A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THIS BRAGGER?

GOD IS AMAZING! AND THE U. S. IS A GREAT COUNTRY! I SET A GOAL TO PAY $1 MILLION IN ANNUAL INCOME TAX, AND GOD HAS HELPED ME—HAS MADE ME—ACHIEVE THAT GOAL. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE U. S. IS ONLY PLACE I COULD DO THAT.

FROM TIME TO TIME I WOULD THINK: WHY DIDN’T I SET A GOAL OF PAYING $1 BILLION IN TAX? I WOULD HAVE BEEN A THOUSAND TIMES LARGER A BUSINESSMAN, LIKE MR. ANDREW CARNEGIE.

I GUARANTEE THAT GOD WOULD HAVE MADE ME A MUCH LARGER BUSINESS OWNER IF I RAISED THE BAR TO $1 BILLION TAX TO PAY.

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!

ARE YOU LAUGHING AT ME SAYING THIS?

I AM SAYING THAT MY SUCCESS OR FAILURE IS TOTALLY UP TO ME—NOT MY BOSSES, NOR MY FRIENDS, NOR MY MENTORS, BUT UP TO ME ALONE!

I AM THE DRIVER OF MY LIFE!

THINK ABOUT THIS! $1B IS 1,000 TIMES LESS THAN $1T. IT IS NO DIFFERENT THAN $1,000 TO A MAN HAVE $1.

I USE MONEY TO MEASURE MY SUCCESS BECAUSE I AM A BUSINESSMAN. I AM SURE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS WAYS TO MAKE LIFE HAPPY, PROUD AND SUCCESSFUL. ALTIMATELY, GLORIFY OUR GOD!

I ONCE WAS A DREAMER, EVEN THOUGH MY LATE MAMA TAUGHT ME TO BE AN ACHIEVER. SHE TOLD ME THAT DREAMERS OFTEN FALL ASLEEP.

I ONCE SPENT TIME DREAMING ABOUT IF MY RICH RELATIVES OR MY RICH FRIENDS WOULD SHARE THEIR WEALTH WITH ME.

OH MAN, AM I GLAD I DIDN’T HOLD MY BREATH!

I WAS STILL SO ASHAMED OF MYSELF, AS I WAS THINKING LIKE A BEGGAR. MY ALMIGHTY GOD HAD ALREADY PROVIDED ALL THE TOOLS I NEEDED: MY BRAIN TO THINK, MUSCLES TO ACT, LEGS TO REACH, A HEART SO THAT I WOULD MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS.

GOD ALSO SUPPLIES ME WITH 24 NEW HOURS EVERY DAY—ALL FOR FREE. GOD GIVES ME MORE THAN ENOUGH TO MAKE MY LIFE GRANDER.

ALL I NEED TO DO IS MAKE THE MOST OF THOSE TOOLS, ESPECIALLY TIME!

I WOKE UP ONE DAY FROM DREAM, AND STARTED USING THE TOOLS GOD GAVE ME. ELBOW GREASE WAS ONE OF MAJOR TOOLS!

I STARTED GENERAL BUILDING MAINTENANCE IN 1983, AT THE AGE OF 39. THAT COMPANY HAS NOW GROWN TO BECOME ONE OF THE TOP 25 JANITORIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS IN THE US.

YOU MAY AGREE WITH ME THAT I AM ONE OF MANY EXAMPLES THAT THE UNITED STATES IS THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY! NO WHERE IN THE WORLD LIKE IT!

IF ANYONE TELLS YOU AMERICA IS NO LONGER A LAND OF OPPORTUNITY, YOU HAD BETTER RUN FROM THAT PERSON AS FAST AS YOU CAN, BECAUSE HE AIN’T YOUR FRIEND.

TO BUILD A COMPANY AND MAKE ENOUGH PROFIT TO PAY $1 MILLION IN INCOME TAX EVERY YEAR, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, WAS NOT EASY.

I HAD TO WORK EXTRA HARD EVERY DAY, LOSING A LOT OF FAMILY TIME AND WEEKEND GETAWAYS. SOME PEOPLE CALL IT SACRIFICE, BUT I CALL IT AN INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT?

WORKING 75 HOURS PER WEEK DIDN’T BREAK MY BONES!

IT ACTUALLY HELPED ME TO MAINTAIN GOOD HEALTH. IN FACT, I ALSO SAVED A FEW DOLLARS ON MEMBERSHIP FEES TO HEALTH CLUBS.

I NEEDED TO SAVE THAT SO I COULD PAY MORE TAXES.

++++

SOME PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT MY FIRST DAY IN THE US.

HOW COULD A FOREIGNER WHO SPEAKS NO ENGLISH FIND A PLACE TO LIVE, FIND A DESCENTJOB, MAKE FRIENDS, AND REGISTER FOR SCHOOL?

I LANDED AT THE INDIANAPOLIS AIRPORT AT 2 PM ON SEPTEMBER 5, 1974, AND HAD FOUND A JOB BY 4 PM THAT SAME DAY. I WASTED NO TIME!

I BECAME A JANITOR AT A STEAKHOUSE AND STARTED CLEANING THE KITCHEN FLOOR THAT VERY NIGHT. AFTER SEVEN HOURS ENTERED TO THE U. S. AIRSPACE, I WAS MAKING 41.80 AN HOUR WHICH IS ABOUT $10 TODAY.

I WORKED THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT. REPORTED TO WORK AT 11 AT NIGHT AND CHECKED OUT BY 7 THE NEXT MORNING.

I WORKED VERY HARD CLEANING THOSE RESTAURANT KITCHEN FLOOR TILES. ONCE THEY HAD BEEN COVERED WITH THICK, BLACK LAYERS OF ANIMAL FAT, BUT AFTER I GOT THERE, THEY WERE CLEAN AS A HOTEL LOBBY.

I TREATED THAT NIGHT-SHIFT CLEANING JOB WITH RESPECT—AS AN ASSIGNMENT OF GOD! I DID MY BEST.

BESIDES, I DIDN’T WANT MY EMPLOYER, WHO PROVIDED ME A GOOD JOB, TO EVER LOSE MONEY ON ME. I DIDN’T WANT TO BE A TAKER, BUT A GIVER, AS MY MAMA TOLD ME.

NOW, THE REAL STORY I WANT TO SHARE!

REMEMBER WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS IN JOB 8:7?

YOUR BEGINNINGS WILL SEEM HUMBLE, SO PROSPEROUS WILL YOUR FUTURE BE.

TRUE AS ALWAYS! NINE YEARS LATER IN 1983, I STARTED A JANITORIAL SERVICE CONTRACTING BUSINESS. YES, A JANITOR BECAME AN OWNER OF A LARGE JANITORIAL SERVICE COMPANY.

MY SPEECH TODAY HAS COVERED SOME OF THE BRIGHT SIDES OF MY LIFE.

I AM SURE SOME OF YOU EXPERIENCE DIFFICULT TIMES. MAYBE YOUR ISSUES ARE RELATED TO YOUR FAMILY, FINANCES, HEALTH, OR FRIENDS.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, I HAD DIFFICULT TIMES AS WELL.

BEFORE I STARTED MY JANITORIAL SERVICE COMPANY, I WAS A LIFE INSURANCE SALESMAN FOR THE NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY. MY WIFE GAVE BIRTH TO A CHILD, A PRECIOUS SON, BUT SHE DIED 106 DAYS LATER.

I RAISED AN INFANT BABY, AND A FOUR-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, AND RAN TO TWO JOBS FOR EIGHT YEARS ALL BY MYSELF.

YOU CAN IMAGINE, THE LIFE EXPERIENCE OF A SINGLE FATHER WITH VERY LITTLE INCOME, RUNNING AROUND TO MULTIPLE BABYSITTERS, DROP OFF THE OLDER CHILD TO SCHOOL, HURRYING TO THE HOSPITAL WHEN MY BABY WAS SICK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, CHANGING THE DIAPERS, DEALING WITH A BABY WITH A FEVER. IT WAS A LITTLE HASSLE.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT?

I NEVER FELT HARDSHIP DURING THOSE YEARS. RATHER, I ENJOYED RAISING MY KIDS. IN FACT, I WAS ENJOYING TESTING MYSELF TO SEE HOW FAR I COULD GO!

IT IS UP TO ME TO MAKE MY SITUATION PLEASANT OR DIFFICULT. IT IS ALL UP TO ME TO CONTROL THE SITUATION.

OF COURSE, GOD WAS THERE EVERY TIME I PRAYED. PRAISE GOD!

GRADUATES . . .

SUCCESS IN ANY FIELD IS DOABLE! IF YOU EVER DISAPPOINTED AT YOURSELF, THINK ABOUT MY OTHER IDOL, THE LATE TRUETT CATHY, FOUNDER OF CHICK-FIL-A RESTAURANTS, HE WROTE HIS FIRST BOOK IN 1989. THE TITLE: IT IS EASIER TO SUCCEED THAN TO FAIL, I LOVE THE BOOK TITLE.

MR. CATHY BELIEVED THAT SUCCESS IS POSSIBLE FOR ANYONE WHEN THEY DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR OTHERS PERSISTENTLY.

MR. CATHY WROTE OTHER BOOKS, TOO, AND ALL OF THEM ARE GREAT. INSPIRE MORE PEOPLE IS THE ONE I’D MOST LIKE FOR YOU TO READ.

ACTUALLY, I BROUGHT THAT BOOK FOR YOU. PLEASE TAKE ONE ON YOUR WAY OUT AS MY GRADUATION GIFT.

GRACIOUSLY, DAN CATHY, MR. CATHY’S SON AND NOW CEO OF CHICK-FIL-A, HAS ALSO SENT ALL OF YOU A GIFT CARD FOR A FREE CHICK-FIL-A SANDWICH AS A WAY TO CONGRATULATE EACH OF YOU ON YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

PLEASE THANK DAN CATHY WHEN AND IF YOU MEET HIM SOME DAY.

BEFORE I CONCLUDE MY SPEECH, I WANT TO SUM UP MY MESSAGES FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO SLEPT DURING MY SPEECH. I ALSO HOPE YOU BROUGHT YOUR NOTE BOOK TO WRITE IT DOWN.

ARE YOU LISTENING?

1. IN ORDER TO HAVE MORE OF THE GOOD THINGS IN YOUR LIFE:

TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED. (MATTHEW 7:12)

IF YOU PLANT CORN, YOU WILL HARVEST CORN. WHEN YOU PLANT A GRACEFUL SEED, YOU WILL HARVEST GRACEFUL CROPS IN ONE HUNDRED FOLD.

JESUS ASSURED IT IN MARK 10:31, AND I EXPERIENCED IT.

2. IF YOU EVER FEEL YOU ARE UP AGAINST A WALL AND HAVE NO WAY TO GET OUT, DON’T SIT THERE LIKE A DOUNTED PERSON. PRAY TO GOD FIRST, AND THINK OF ME. IF ANYTHING SUNNY CAN, YOU CAN!

MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU, AND HAVE VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

실패하기보다 쉬운 성공 The Korean American CBMC CEO School

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 14:36:17 GMT

실패하기보다 쉬운 성공

The Korean American CBMC CEO School, Atlanta, June 11, 2010

박선근 GBM 건물 관리회사 회장

훌륭한 사업 경영인은 정직하게 작성된 사업계획을 만들고, 그 성취를 위하여 반복되는 노력을 정확하게 하므로서

창조 되는것이다. 무대위에 선 배우가 준비한 대사를 하나도 빠짐없이 연기 해야 되드시, 확정한 사업 계획서를

반복해가며 이행 해야 한다. 세계적으로 유명한 기독 실업인인 Mr. Truitt Cathy씨는 그의 저서 It’s Easier to Succeed

Than to Fail 을 통하여 하나님이 준비해 주신 사업 성공 비결을 그대로 행사 하기만 하면 그 사업을 성공 시킬수 있다고

주장 한다. 묵묵히 7일간 여리고성을 돌면 그성이 무너지리란 하나님의 말씀을 (수6장) 주저없이 믿고, 시키는대로

“바보”처럼 여리고 성을 돌아 그 성을 무너트린 여호수와와 그 이스라엘 백성들의 믿음과 행동을 보면, 그까짓 사업체

하나둘 성공 시키는것은 “식은 죽” 먹는것처럼 쉽다고 본다. 다만, 꾸준하지 못하거나, 믿음이 약하거나, 욕심을

내거나, 건너뛰기를 하며는, 즉, 공식대로 모든 절차를 제대로 거치지 않으면 실패를 할수 있다.

여호수아 6장

수 6:1) 이스라엘 자손들로 말미암아 여리고 는 굳게 닫혔고 출입하는 자가 없더라

(수 6:2) 여호와께서 여호수아 에게 이르시되 보라 내가 여리고 와 그 왕과 용사들을 네 손에 넘겨 주었으니 신7:24

(수 6:3) 너희 모든 군사는 그 성을 둘러 성 주위를 매일 한 번씩 돌되 엿새 동안을 그리하라

(수 6:4) 제사장 일곱은 일곱 양각 나팔을 잡고 언약궤 앞에서 나아갈 것이요 일곱째 날에는 그 성을 일곱 번 돌며 그

제사장 들은 나팔을 불 것이며 삿7:16

(수 6:5) 제사장 들이 양각 나팔을 길게 불어 그 나팔 소리가 너희에게 들릴 때에는 백성은 다 큰 소리로 외쳐 부를

것이라 그리하면 그 성벽이 무너져 내리리니 백성은 각기 앞으로 올라갈지니라 하시매

(수 6:6) 눈 의 아들 여호수아 가 제사장 들을 불러 그들에게 이르되 너희는 언약궤를 메고 제사장 일곱은 양각 나팔

일곱을 잡고 여호와의 궤 앞에서 나아가라 하고

(수 6:7) 또 백성에게 이르되 나아가서 그 성을 돌되 무장한 자들이 여호와의 궤 앞에서 나아갈지니라 하니라

(수 6:8) ○여호수아가 백성에게 이르기를 마치매 제사장 일곱은 양각 나팔 일곱을 잡고 여호와 앞에서 나아가며

나팔을 불고 여호와의 언약궤는 그 뒤를 따르며 수4:13

(수 6:9) 그 무장한 자들은 나팔 부는 제사장 들 앞에서 행진하며 후군은 궤 뒤를 따르고 제사장 들 은 나팔을 불며

행진하더라 사52:12

(수 6:10) 여호수아 가 백성에게 명령하여 이르되 너희는 외치지 말며 너희 음성을 들리게 하지 말며 너희 입에서 아무

말도 내지 말라 그리하다가 내가 너희에게 명령하여 외치라 하는 날에 외칠지니라 하고

(수 6:11) 여호와의 궤가 그 성을 한 번 돌게 하고 그들이 진영으로 들어와서 진영에서 자니라

(수 6:12) ○또 여호수아 가 아침에 일찍이 일어나니 제사장 들이 여호와의 궤를 메고

(수 6:13) 제사장 일곱은 양각 나팔 일곱을 잡고 여호와의 궤 앞에서 계속 행진하며 나팔을 불고 무장한 자들은 그

앞에 행진하며 후군은 여호와의 궤 뒤를 따르고 제사장 들은 나팔을 불며 행진하니라 수6:4

(수 6:14) 그 둘째 날에도 그 성을 한 번 돌고 진영으로 돌아오니라 엿새 동안을 이같이 행하니라

(수 6:15) ○일곱째 날 새벽에 그들이 일찍이 일어나서 전과 같은 방식으로 그 성을 일곱 번 도니 그 성을 일곱 번

돌기는 그 날뿐이었더라

(수 6:16) 일곱 번째에 제사장 들이 나팔을 불 때에 여호수아 가 백성에게 이르되 외치라 여호와께서 너희에게 이 성을

주셨느니라 수6:20

(수 6:17) 이 성과 그 가운데에 있는 모든 것은 여호와께 온전히 바치되 기생 라합 과 그 집에 동거하는 자는 모두 살려

주라 이는 우리가 보낸 사자들을 그가 숨겨 주었음이니라 수2:4

(수 6:18) 너희는 온전히 바치고 그 바친 것 중에서 어떤 것이든지 취하여 너희가 이스라엘 진영으로 바치는 것이

되게 하여 고통을 당하게 되지 아니하도록 오직 너희는 그 바친 물건에 손대지 말라 신7:26 , 신13:17 , 수7:1

(수 6:19) 은금과 동철 기구들은 다 여호와께 구별될 것이니 그것을 여호와의 곳간에 들일지니라 하니라

(수 6:20) 이에 백성은 외치고 제사장 들은 나팔을 불매 백성이 나팔 소리를 들을 때에 크게 소리 질러 외치니 성벽이

무너져 내린지라 백성이 각기 앞으로 나아가 그 성에 들어가서 그 성을 점령하고

아멘!

CBMC Dallas 대회 22 June 2012

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 12:02:18 GMT

우리가 바로그 실세입니다!

박선근 좋은이웃되기운동 본부 사무국장

2012 CBMC Dallas대회 22 June 2012

살롬! 형제 자매 여러분,

여러 형제자매님들과 하나님의 풍성한 은혜를 나누는 귀한 시간을 주신

하나님께 오직 영광을 드리고자 합니다.

이 성대한 자리에서 보잘 것 없는 본인을 불러 주신 KCBMC 권정 총회장님,

은종국 부총회장님, 그리고 원로 제위와 지도층에 감사를 드립니다.

저는 뉴욕에서 열린 2001년 한인CBMC대회 행사에 애틀랜타의 이승남

회장님과 뉴욕의 강현석 전 총회장님의 초청으로 처음 참여하였었으며,

CBMC가 가진 큰 능력을 보았고, 그 혜택을 크게 입은 사람입니다.

한인사회 내에 많은 단체가 활약을 하고 있읍니다.

그 단체들 중에는 발전을 이루고 있는 단체도 있고, 있으나 마나한 단체도

있는데, 발전하는 단체들의 특징을 보면 창립 당시의 초심을 지키려는

지도부를 가지고 있습니다.

제가 겪은 한인 CBMC는 명실공히 초심을 지키며 건전하게 발전하여 많은

분들의 존경을 받고 있는 모범단체로 자리를 잡았다고 인정받고 있습니다.

오늘, 저는 ‘이민자’라는 특별한 신분을 갖게된 우리들의 현실에 대해

말하고자 합니다.

능력이 모자라는 제가, 여러분과 엄청난 하나님의 은총을 나누기에는

여러분들의 힘있는 기도가 필요합니다.

여러분과 제가 함께할 이 시간을 위해서 어느 성령 충만한 분께서

기도해주시면 좋겠습니다. 한분 나서 주십시요!

<사업 성공의 비결: 눅 11장 9절>

감사합니다! 힘이 납니다! 우선, 우리들의 주업인 사업을 잘하는 주제를

다루어 보고자 합니다.

사업 성공이라면 기라성 같은 분들이 이 자리에 모여 계시지만, 우선 저의

이민 경로와 사업 경영에 관련된 간증을 드리도록 하겠읍니다.

저는 1974년 계절에 비해 빠르게 첫 눈이 내리는 9월 7일에 미국으로 이주해

왔읍니다. 시카고 오헤어 공항에서 인디애나로 가는 비행기를 갈아 탔는데

옆자리의 남자 승객이 다 보고난 신문을 넘겨주길래 그것을 받아들고 짧은

비행시간 동안 신문의 구직란을 검색하였읍니다.

본인의 눈에 띈 구인 광고는 어느 스테익 하우스 식당에서 청소하는 사람을

구하는 것이었읍니다. 비행기가 인디애나에 도착하였고 저는 가방을 찾자

마자 바로 인근에 있는 공중전화로 가서 그 식당에 전화를 했습니다. 영어가

잘 안통하는 저는, 종이에 할 말을 적은후 그것을 전화 수화기에다 대고

여러번 계속 읽어 댔읍니다.

I am Sun Keun Park, just arrived Indiana Airport, and responding to your ad. Can I

come by your restaurant for an interview?

수화기 저쪽에서 들려오던 소리가 근 40년 이후에도 내 귀에 생생합니다.

지금 와도 좋다는 대답이었읍니다.

저는, 부랴부랴 짐을 택시 트렁크에다 던저 넣으며, 신문에 적힌 Curtis Steak

House식당의 주소를 택시 운전사에게 주고 갈길을 재촉했읍니다.

식당에서 만난 지배인이 몇가지 질문을 하더니 시간당 $1.65를 줄테니

관심있으면, 당장 오늘 밤부터 일을 시작 하라고 했습니다.

그래서 밤11시, 여독이 않풀린 몸을 이끌고 출근을 했읍니다.

정든 한국을 떠난 시간이 7일 오전 11시였는데, 바로 그 같은 날 오후 11시에

꿈에도 생각치 못했던 첫 직장으로 출근을 하게 되었던 것입니다.

저는 출근을 준비 하면서 제가 오랫동안 의심을 하면서도 은근히 기대했던

하나님의 말씀 한 구절을 붙잡고 울면서 감사를 드렸읍니다.

바로 누가복음 11장 9절 말씀입니다. 여러분, 죄송하지만 모두 자리에서

일어나 주십시요! 하나님의 말씀을 올려 드리겠읍니다!

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will

find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

함께, “내가 또 너희에게 이르노니, 구하라 그러면 너희에게 주실 것이요,

찾으라 그러면 찾아낼 것이요, 문을 두드리라 그러면 너희에게 열릴 것이니”

(11:10구하는 이마다 받을 것이요 찾는 이는 찾아낼 것이요 두드리는

이에게는 열릴 것이니라)

이것이 저의 미국에서의 첫날 이야기입니다.

이 직장 이후, 프라이빗 골프장의 식당으로 옮겨서 팁을 많이 받는 웨이타를

하게 되었는데 이때도 인자한 식당 지배인이 웨이터 수업을 시켜주면서 제가

홀로 설 수 있도록 도움을 주었읍니다!

저는 이후, 영어가 서툴면서도 생명보험 외판원으로 근무하였읍니다. 저는

그 첫해에 외판원이 28명이나 되는 뉴욕라이프 인디애나 지사에서 상위의

판매 실적을 기록했습니다.

영어가 20% 정도 양호했지만 회사 전체 신입사원 수련대회에서 300여명의

신입 사원들이 실시한 선거에 출마해 기 대표로 당선이 되었읍니다.

저는 수락 연설을 통해, 제가 오랫동안 의심을 하면서도 은근히 기대했던 그

하나님의 말씀을 또 증거했습니다. 어느 말씀이라고 생각 되세요?

바로 누가복음 11장 9절!입니다.

얼마 후, 우연치 않게 자동차 소개업을 겸하게 되었읍니다. 그때 새파란

총각이었던 은종국 회장을 만났지만요.

그후 1983년에 건물 청소 용역업을 시작하였고 올해가 창립 29주년이 되는

해이며, 약 3,000명의 식구가 종사하고 있읍니다.

또한 저는 예비역 4성 장군과 동업으로 Ellis Enterprises라는 군납 회사를

경영하고 있습니다. 지금은 시작이지만 사업이 아주 잘 될것입니다!

이제 5년 밖에 안된 회사인데 잘될지 안될지 어떻게 아느냐고요?

짐작이 가세요? 제가 무엇을 믿고 이렇게 큰소리를 치는지요?

맞습니다! 제가 의심과 기대를 해가며 봉독하던 바로 그 누가복음 11:9

말씀입니다! 드드려라! 열릴것이다! 할렐루야!

저와 저의 동업자 엘리스 장군은 회사 수익금을 기준으로 하여 10의 1조를

드리도록 회사 정관에 적어 놓았읍니다.

달랑 $200을 꽁꽁 싸들고 온 미국이지만, 1년에 1백만불의 소득세를 낼

정도가 되었으면 스스로 축하를 할 정도가 되었다고 생각이 들지 않으세요?

그러나, 저의 생각은 다릅니다. 소가 뒷걸음 치다가 쥐 잡는 것을 보신 분이

계세요? 손을 들어봐 주십시요? 없군요.

여러분, 바로 그 소가 여기에 서 있읍니다! 접니다.

제가 한 일이라고는 소가 주인이 시키는대로 밭을 갈듯이 하나님으로부터

주어진 능력을 부지런히 사용한 것입니다. 그러고 보니, 이 방 안에 쥐잡은

소가 저 말고도 꽤 있는것같읍니다. 어디서 쇠똥 냄새가 나는가 했었읍니다.

어떤 분들은 저에게 성공한 사업가라는 이름을 붙여 주지만 저는 무엇이든

필요한 것을 구하면 어김없이 주시는 하나님의 특별한 사랑에 힘입어 살고

있는 사람들 중에 하나일 뿐입니다.

<한인사회의 문제>

여러분! 저의 이민 이야기를 드린 것이지만, 여러분들은 어떻게 생각 하세요,

우리들 대부분의 이민 이야기가 아닐까요? 아멘 ?

그러나, 저와 여러분 앞에 심각한 문제가 있습니다!

우리들 미국 이민 사업이 개인적으로는 기반이 잡힌 듯 보입니다마는, 우리

미주 한인 커뮤니티, 즉, 우리 한인사회는 아직도 이민의 기반이 약합니다.

여러 이유가 있겠지만 많은 한인 이민자들은 스스로를 미국 사회로부터

고립시켜 왔습니다. 또한, 우리들은 소수이며 약한 민족이라는 것을 느끼며

주눅이 든 상태로 살아가고 있읍니다.

많은 한인들이 미국사회를 보고 “주류사회”라고 말합니다. 그러면, 우리는

무엇입니까? 지류사회입니까?

하나님께서 우리들 보고 뒷줄에 서 있는 것으로 만족하라고 가르치셨나요?

하나님께서는 스스로 “2류”를 자처하는 우리들을 보시고 실망하실 것이라고

생각해 보신 적이 있나요?

우리는, 농부의 곁다리에 붙어있는 거머리도 아니요, 악어의 등에서 악어가

먹이를 잡을 때를 기다리는 악어새도 아님을 여러분께 선포합니다!

우리는 미국의 주류사회에서 으뜸가는 4번 타자의 역할을 할 수 있는 재능과

기회 가운데 서 있읍니다!

우리 모두는 열심히 노력해서 번 이익금으로 꼬박꼬박 세금을 납부하며

살아가는 미합중국의 충성스럽고 엄연한 국민입니다.

우리의 자녀들은 사회와 군대에서 열심히 나라와 국민들을 위해서 봉사를

하고 있습니다! 한인 전사자의 숫자가 두자리 숫자가 되었읍니다!

우리의 자녀들은, 대체적으로 학교나 직장에서 으뜸가는 지위를 유지합니다.

우리는 벤치에 앉아있는 방관자가 아니며 이 나라의 4번 타자, 즉 main

streamer(주류)인 것입니다.

물론, 알고 있습니다. 우리들의 현실을 눈물을 흘리며 보고 있습니다.

우리는 이 나라 인구의 0.6% 밖에 안되는 소수민족이고 생긴 것도 왜소하고

“영원한 외국인”처럼 인식 되어 있읍니다.

우리들은 passive 한 사람들, 즉 수동적인 민족으로 타민족에 인식되어 있고

한번씩 건드려도 실쭉 한번 웃고 대항을 안하는, 문제를 피해 다니는

사람들처럼 알려저 있읍니다.

제 말씀이 틀렸읍니까? 제발 틀렸으면 좋겠습니다!

우리는 다른 민족들 보다 한참 늦게 이 나라에 이주해 왔읍니다.

학생이 교실에 조금만 지각을 해도 수업시간에 약간 주눅이 들게 되어 있는

것은 인간의 본능입니다.

그렇다고 하루 종일 지각한 것만 생각하고 뒷쪽에만 있을 수 없지 않습니까?

이곳 달라스에 내리면서 유명한 기업가 출신이면서 1992년과 96년에

대통령 선거에 출마 하셨던 Ross Perot씨와의 만남을 생각해 보았읍니다.

기억하세요? 키가 X자루만큼 작고 못생긴 얼굴을 가지신 분, 카랑카랑한

목소리로 이 나라에 세금이 너무 많다고 선거 유세를 하던 분 말입니다.

이분은 해군 전역후 IBM에서 컴퓨터 외판원으로 사회생활을 시작하여 첫

2주 동안에 1년치 판매 할당분을 팔았던 기록을 갖고 있읍니다.

자기의 의견을 무시하는 회사 근무가 시시해서 사직을 하고, 1962년에

Dallas에서 EDS라는 자기 사업을 시작하였는데 우여곡절 끝에 연방 정부의

data processing 계약을 하게 되었고 그 결과 $16짜리 증권이 하루 사이에

$160이 되는 돈벼락을 맡았던 분입니다.

그러나 이 정부 계약이 성사되기까지 Mr. Perot이 77번의 계약 실패를

경험하였다는 것을 아는 사람들은 많지 않습니다.

이분은 어렸을때 보이스카웃에서 키가 제일 작았지만 이곳에서 리더쉽을

터득하였고 해군사관학교에서는 대대장으로 선출되었는데 키가 제일 적은

생도가 키가 큰 대대원들을 통솔하였던 것입니다.

많은 이들은 이분이 Naval Academy, Boy Scout, IBM, EDS경영에서 우수한

실적을 보이게 된 배경에는 왜소하고 못생긴 자신의 모습을 노력으로

커버해야 된다는 집념의 결과라고 평가합니다.

이 잣대를 우리들에게 대보면 우리 한인들은 키가 작고 눈이 작은 동양인의

모습을 가진 것이 오히려 장점으로 활용될 수 있다고 생각해 보았습니다.

<자랑스런 이름, 이민 1세 !>

옛말에 호랑이는 죽어서 가죽을 남기고 사람은 이름을 남긴다고 했읍니다.

우리들은 아주 특별하고 축복스러운 이름을 받은 사람들입니다. 바로, ‘이민

1세’라는 이름입니다! 우리들의 특별한 브랜드라고 생각하시면 적합합니다.

성경은 하나님의 축복이 이름에 임한다고 말합니다. "너에게 복을 주어, 너의

이름을 빛나게 할 것이다."(창12:2)

280 마일 밖에 안되는 서울에서 부산으로만 이사를 가더라도 큰 용기와

준비가 필요한데 6-7,000마일이나 떨어져 있고, 문화와 언어가 판이하게

다른 미국으로 이민하는 결심을 하신 우리 이민 1세들의 용기와 각오는

대단한 것입니다!

우리들 스스로가 자랑스럽지 않읍니까? 우리 스스로에게 큰 박수를 처

주실까요?

우리는 실로 대단한 용기를 가진 사람들입니다! 그 용기를 가지고 그야말로

낯설고 물설은 이 미국 땅에 터전을 잡았읍니다. 정말 대단한 역사를 이루어

놓은 것이지요!

그러나, 한가지 꼭 집고 넘어 가야할 일이 있읍니다. 바로 우리들이 데리고 온

가족과 자식들입니다. 한국에서는 대개 남자가 집안의 대소사를 결정하는

역할을 합니다.

따라서 우리 아이들은 자신들의 의사와 관계없이 부모를 따라 이민을 왔거나

미국에서 소수민족의 모습으로 태어났습니다.

한국에서 계속 살았으면 상상도 할 필요가 없는 부정적인 여건들을 갖게된

이들에게 그 당사자, 우리 부모들은 무엇으로 설명을 해 주어야 합니까?

운명이라고 말해주고 슬그머니 외면을 해 버릴까요?

잘못하면 “용기있는 이민1세”라는 좋은 이름을 가진 우리들이 “자신들만을

위해 가족을 희생시킨 추한 이민자” 라는 나쁜 이름을 갖게될 수도 있습니다.

죄송하지만 저주도 이름에 임합니다."악인의 이름은 썩으리라"(잠10:7)

이런 우리의 현실을 생각하면 등골이 오싹합니다. 우리들의 여력이 남아

있을때 후손에게 화려하지는 못해도 집을 지을 수 있는 토대를 준비해 주고

떠나야 자식들과 그 아이의 자식들이 이 나라에서 기둥과 석가래를 올리고

어깨를 피고 살 것이 아닙니까?

우리들이 후세들에게 남겨 주어야 할 절대적인 유산은 한인들도 이 나라의

주류이고 실세라는 것을 실감이 나도록 만드는 것입니다.

어느 분들은 저에게 “답답한 소리” 작작하라고 핀잔을 줄 지도 모릅니다.

누구는 그러면 좋겠다는것을 몰라서 못하는 줄 아느냐고 겻눈질을 할지도

모르겠습니다.

영어도 안되고 밥먹고 사는 것도 힘든데 후세들 토대까지 생각할 겨를이

있겠느냐고 생각할지도 모르겠습니다.

그러나, 저는 그분들에게 그와 같은 실망스러운 생각으로 남들까지 “김새게”

하지 말라고 항의하고자 합니다.

그러니까 타민족들이 우리를 우습게 본다고 생각합니다. 그런 반응은

‘나태한 패배자의 관념’으로 밖에는 보이지 않습니다.

저와 여러분이 걸어온 이민 역사를 돌아 보세요! 깡 하나 가지고 오늘을

이루어 낸 우리들입니다!

저는 20%정도의 좋은 영어 실력을 가지고 미국 농부들에게 생명보험을

팔았던 사람입니다.

여러분, 제가 그정도 영어 실력으로 어떻게 미국인들에게 생명보험을

팔았는지 궁금하지 않으세요?

물론, 생명보험 판매와 관련된 영어를 달달 외워 가지고 다녔지만 서투른

영어와 외국인 용모가 큰 몫을 해 주었습니다.

무슨 소리를 하고 있냐구요? 간단합니다. 한번 들어 보시겠어요?

제가 말할 때 저의 고객은 조용합니다. 서투르게 언어를 하는 이에게 잘 알아

들으려는 것은 인간의 본능이거든요. 그들의 저의 설명에 온갖 정성을

쏟아가며 경청을 합니다. 잘 아시겠지만, 세일즈맨이 손님의 귀를 차지하면

대개 그 판매는 성공하게 되어 있습니다.

한가지 예를 더 들어 볼까요?

저는 미국 이민 생활을 하면서 백악관, 국방성, USO, The Daughters of

American Revolution, 주정부 등의 기관으로부터 미국의 애국자에게 주는

메달과 상을 받았읍니다. 어려분, 제가 정말 미국에 기여한 충성도가 상을

받을만큼 탁월해서 메달을 받았을까요?

우리끼리만 하는 얘기지만요, 외국에서 이민 온 이민1세가 미국 애국가를

외어서 부르고 국가에 봉사를 한다고 서툴게나마 참여를 하니까 기특하게

보였을 것입니다.

좌우간 우리들은 긍정적인 면이 많습니다.

저의 경우만 말씀드렸지만 우리 이민사회에는, 특히 바로 여러분들에게도

용맹함이 많은 것을 잘 알고 있읍니다.

결론적으로 우리들이 후세에게 집을 지을 토대를 마련해 주지 못할 핑계가

하나도 없다는 것을 강조드리고 싶은 것입니다.

정말 다행스러운것은 우리에게 아직 시간이 남아 있다는 것입니다. 우리는

미국의 어느 민족보다 큰 용기를 가지고 있읍니다. 약간은”무대뽀”이기도

합니다마는...

자! 이제, 그 용기와 지혜를 써서 마지막 스퍼트를 내야 합니다.

더우기 우리에게는 우리들이 구하는것을 이루어 주시는 하나님이 계시지

않습니까? 아멘?

<좋은이웃되기의 중요성>

그러면, 무엇을 어떻게 시작해야 우리들의 토대를 이 땅에 세울 수 있을까요?

함께 고민해가며 기도 속에서 좋은 방안과 지혜가 나와야 하겠지만, 우선,

저희들, 좋은이웃되기운동(GNC) 본부에서 지난 12년동안 연구 개발해

실시한 시행 계획을 가지고 시작할 수 있을 것입니다.

먼저, 분명히 할 것이 있습니다. 우리들의 “이민 토대 구축 공사”가 성공리에

완공된다는 것은 우리 한인들의 위치가 “외국인이자 외국편인 사람들”에서

“미국에 충성하고 기여하는 미국인”으로 바뀌는 것을 의미합니다.

김씨 댁의 처녀가 이씨 댁으로 출가를 하였는데 이 새색씨가 몸은 이씨 댁에

있지만 김씨 쪽만 바라보고 기웃거리는 모습을 우리들에게서 볼 수

있읍니다. 검은 머리가 파뿌리처럼 희어저 죽을 때까지 이씨 댁의 사람으로

자리를 매김하기 전에는 이 새색씨는 이씨 댁에서 환영을 받고 살기가 힘이

들 것입니다.

여러분, 미국기인 성조기를 바라보면서 가슴이 뜨거워지는 연습이

필요합니다. 이것은 이민자로 선택을 받았기에 피할 수 없는 숙명입니다.

애굽에서 이민자로 성공한 요셉의 생을 기록한 창세기 39장에서 우리들은

하나님이 주신 지혜를 찾을 수 있읍니다.

그는 자기 민족을 영위하면서도 애굽에 끈기있게 충성하였고 인정을 받아 큰

벼슬까지 지냈습니다.

이를 위해 우선 중요한 것은 1) 우리들이 소속할 나라를 정해야 합니다.

빠를수록 좋습니다. 하나님은 마태복음 6:24절을 통해서 두 주인을 섬기지

못한다고 못을 박아 주셨읍니다.

우리들, 장사꾼들의 계산으로라도 양다리 걸치고 두 나라를 왔다 갔다하면

많은 것을 낭비할 수 밖에 없다는 것을 잘 알고 있습니다. 이민선배들인

이태리계와 그리스계 등 남부 유럽 이민자들의 늦은 동화에서도 지혜를

배울 수 있습니다.

최근 한국에서 재외동포들도 선거에 참여할 수 있게 법을 바꾸자

한인사회에서는 때아닌 한국 선거운동이 벌어지고 있읍니다.

어느 한국 정치인들은 "한인사회의 화합과 발전을 책임지겠다"고 선언하고

또 다른 이들은 "해외교포는 한국의 재산"이라면서 우리에게 접근합니다.

이들은 미주 한인사회를 한국과 자기 당(黨)의 식민조직으로 착각하고 있는

것 같습니다. 이에 현혹 되지 말아야 합니다. 잘못하면 우리들은 자식들

앞에서 고개를 들지 못할수도 있읍니다.

독립전쟁 당시 영국계 이민자들이 영국군을 향해 총을 쏘게 했던 그 어려운

결정이 미국의 독립을 가져 왔읍니다. 하지만 바로 그 영국계 이민자들이

오늘 영국을 돕고 있읍니다.

미국은 우리의 충성을 기다리고 있고 우리는 화답해야 할 의무가 있습니다.

친정인 한국은 가슴에 묻어 두고 한국의 그늘로부터 서둘러 독립을

해야합니다.

그것이 우리가 미국에서 뿌리를 내리고 이 나라의 실세로 발전하는 첫 걸음

입니다.

우리 한인들이 우리 이웃들로부터 미국의 실세로서 인정을 받을 때 비로소

우리들의 조국을 시시한 투표 몇 표로 한 정당을 돕는 것이 아니라 실력있는

미국인으로서 한국이라는 우리들의 조국을 정말 크게 도울 수 있을

것입니다.

다음으로는, 2) 이웃과 지역사회에 참여하고 봉사함으로 이웃으로부터

“기여하고 필요한 좋은 이웃”으로 인정받아야 합니다.

자녀들은 부모들의 이웃사회 봉사노력을 보고 많은 것을 배울 것입니다.

우리들 이웃과의 교류가 우선해야 합니다.

한인교회들의 해외 선교 붐을 각 지역사회 친교 붐으로 유도하는것이

필요합니다.

멀리 사는 한인 친구들만 집에 초청할 것이 아니고 이웃들도 함께 불러

교제를 갖는 것이 우리들의 이민 토대를 구축하는데 더 도움이 될것입니다.

이웃 가운데 어려운 일을 겪는 이가 있다면 교회의 한인 교우가 아픔을 겪는

것과 같은 생각이 들어야 진정한 이웃이라고 생각합니다.

그전에는 그들도 우리와 우리 자녀들의 아픔과 어려움에 관심을 갖지 않을

것입니다.

압니다! 여러분들도 이런 생각이 옳다고 생각하고 계심을 잘 압니다.

문제는 언어와 문화가 다른데 귀찮게 한인이 아닌 사람들까지 부르기가

쉽지 않다는 이야기입니다.

그러나 우리는 이 귀찮은 일을 해내야 하는 숙명을 스스로 선택한

사람들입니다.

이민1세 특유의 용기를 발휘해야 합니다! 해보세요, 몇번만 해 보시면,

이력이 납니다. 우리들은 잘할 수 있습니다.

<좋은이웃되기운동 동참>

우리가 이같은 좋은이웃이 되기 위해서는 구체적이고 효과적인 방법이

필요합니다.

미국을 내 나라로 품기 위해서는 먼저 미국을 알아야 합니다. 미국이 어떤

나라인지, 미국의 역사, 정치, 경제, 사회, 종교 등을 죽 알아가다보면 미국에

대한 관심과 애착이 생기면서 자연스럽게 미국을 가슴을 품을 수 있다고

봅니다.

좋은이웃되기운동에서는 ‘케이아메리칸 포스트’(KAP)라는 온란인 매체를

통해 미국에 대한 정보를 소개하고 있습니다.

지난 2년동안 3,000개 이상의 미국에 대한 다양한 정보와 소식을 정리해서

이메일로 한인 1세들에게 무료로 제공하고 있습니다.

신청하시면 케이아메리칸 포스트를 통해 주옥같이 선택된 미국에 대한

뉴스와 자료를 받아보실 수 있습니다.

문 밖에는 우리 본부의 이상민 디렉터가 여러분들의 호응을 애타게 그러나

외롭게 기다리고 있읍니다.

들리셔서 이메일 주소를 주시면 주옥같이 선택된 미국에 대한 뉴스와

자료를 자주 받아 보실수 있읍니다.

이민1세들이 지역사회에 참여하고 봉사하기 위해서는 작고 쉬운 것부터

해야 합니다. 그러다보면 재미가 생기면서 더 하게 됩니다.

좋은이웃되기운동은 교회 앞길 등을 청소하는 ‘길 입양 운동’, 한인교회가

1년에 한번 지역경찰과 소방공무원을 초대해 저녁식사를 대접하는

‘커뮤니티 감사의 밤’ 등을 소개해 이민1세들이 좀 더 쉽게 지역사회에

참여하고 봉사할 수 있도록 안내하고 있습니다.

또 미국 국가와 국기에 대한 맹세를 영어, 한글발음, 한글번역으로 정리한

‘애국포켓카드’를 배포해 한인들이 가사를 몰라 미국가를 부르지 못하는

일이 없도록 돕고 있습니다.

이 카드를 받은 많은 한인1세들이 지갑에 넣고 다니다 필요할 때 사용하면서

미국의 실세로서의 자신감을 갖게 되었습니다.

이 밖에 미국예절스쿨, 이민자포럼, 미국역사클래스 등 여러 활동으로 많은

한인들이 환영받는 이웃이 될 수 있다는 자신감을 갖게 되었습니다.

<결론>

중요한 것은 이웃을 향한 우리들의 노력이 꾸준해야 한다는 것입니다.

한두번으로는 안 되며, 의도적으로는 더욱 아닙니다.

가슴과 가슴이 통하는 교류가 유지되지 않고는 우리들의 토대는 모래 땅일

뿐입니다.

묵묵히 7일 간 여리고성을 돌면 그성이 무너지리란 하나님의 말씀을 (수6장)

주저없이 믿고, 하나님이 시키는대로 “바보”처럼 여리고 성을 돌아 그 성을

무너트린 여호수와와 그 이스라엘 백성들의 믿음과 행동에서 교훈을 받을

수 있읍니다.

마지막으로 여러분께서 이웃과의 교제를 더욱 돈독하게 이루시면서 주변의

다른 한인들도 이 노력을 함께 할 수 있도록 장려해 주시기 바랍니다!

우리 한인들 모두가 이 나라에서 “기여하고 필요한 이웃”이라는 브랜드를

만들 때 바로 우리들이 주류로서 이 땅에 우뚝 서게 될 것입니다.

바로 우리가 이 나라의 실세라는 것을 마음 속 깊이 새기시고, 앞으로는

고개를 높이 들고 앞자리를 차지하시는 분들이 한인 사회에 넘처 나기를

바랍니다. 주님께서도 우리들의 늠늠한 모습을 보시면 더욱 기뻐 하실

것입니다.

경청해 주셔서 대단히 감사합니다.

시간이 약간 남았읍니다. 하나님 앞에 기도 드린 후 우리 좋은이웃되기

운동의 시행 요강에 대한 질문이나 건의가 있으시면 함께 토의해

보겠읍니다!

기도:

전능의 거룩하신 아버지 하나님,

우리들을 특별히 선택하시어 이 나라 미국에 이민을 오게 해 주시고

축복으로 감싸주신 큰 은혜를 진심으로 감사드립니다!

이제 저희들이 미국의 시민으로서 떳떳하게 살아가기를 원하며, 이웃과

나라에 기여하여 반석같은 이민의 토대를 만들기로 결심하게

도와주시옵소서!

주님! 우리 후손들이 우리들이 만들어 놓은 토대 위에 견고한 집을 지을 수

있게 축복과 지혜 그리고 용기를 계속 내려 주시옵소서!

우리가 원해서 정착한 우리들의 새 나라 미국과 그 국민들, 그리고

지도자들에게 무궁한 축복과 독수리의 용기를 계속 보내 주시옵소서!

세계 각지에서 그들의 자유를 보호해 주기 위해 고생하며 싸우는 우리

군인들을 각별히 보호해 주시고, 특히 우리 한인계 미국 병사들을 긍휼로

보살펴 주시옵소서!

우리들을 낳아준 조국 대한민국을 위해서, 배고픔과 무서움 속에서 살고

있는 북한의 동포들에게, 전지전능하신 당신의 보호가 있으시기를 간절히

기도합니다!

CBMC회원들과 그 가족들, 그리고 사업장과 종사자들 위에 그리고 우리들의

이웃들에게 하나님의 가호가 있기를 기도합니다!

부활의 예수 그리스도 이름으로 간절히 기도드립니다! 아멘!

DAR Americanism Award Speech

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 11:57:11 GMT

DAR Americanism Award Speech

Sunny K. Park

December 10, 2005

Ansley Country Club, Atlanta, GA

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! I want to thank the award selection committee

members for your bad job in selecting the wrong person for the award. I am not sure that

I should be the one to receive such a distinguished award. The immigrant community

contains so many other patriots who love America and would die for America. They may

not be visible to the mainstream community because they are usually rather quiet, but

their numbers are so great, you can’t even count them. You noticed me because I perhaps

talk a little too much, based on my close friend’s evaluation, but I am thankful to my

mother Chung Pyung-nim, who trained me to be a bigmouth.

I want to thank to Ms. Nancy Jordan and Ms. Lynn Brackey for their devoted

leadership of DAR. Every American knows that DAR is a large organization of

wonderful and patriotic people, but after getting to know Nancy and Lynn, I realize that

they are tenacious and beautiful people as well. America should be proud of those two

and all of you—the members of this chapter of DAR.

If I may, I would like to thank my friends who came today to help me celebrate

this honor: [names go here.]

I want also to thank my family, my children, and my employees for their

unconditional support as I run around the country and do whatever it is that I do.

As an American, and particularly as an immigrant American and a naturalized

citizen of this great nation, I am truly honored at the recognition from an organization

like DAR.

In my travels, I find that some people need reminding that immigrants didn’t

come to the United States only with economic goals in their minds, but they also brought

long-held values to their new country. In some respects, these values hearken back to the

America of old. While many observers wonder where America’s values have gone, I’d

like to say that these same observers might look to America’s recent immigrants to

discover what might be missing. I’m talking about values like a strong work ethic and

what are considered to be old-fashioned moral standards.

But while we welcome legal immigrants—with their work ethic and their values

and their morals—and encourage them to become new citizens, I am not sure we are

doing a good enough job in training them as American citizens.

Think about it: What does an employer do when hiring a new employee? Train

them, of course! Gives the new worker a good introduction to the company’s history and

culture, makes sure the new hire understands the reason for the hire, introduces the new

hire to his or her fellow employees, teaches about the company’s unique way of doing

business, and so on. This way, the company will have more productivity from the efforts

of the new employee, and the new employee will find more enjoyment in the new job.

On the other hand, what happens if an employer doesn’t train new employees at

all? They will work according to the rules and culture of their former employers, because

they don’t know the difference.

So, my contention is that America, in its role as host for the new citizens we

accept every day, is obligated to invest more time and effort in guiding them to become

the types of citizens American needs. Make sure they understand the reason we are

granting the citizenship. Inform them about the rules and culture of this country. Teach

American history and lore so new citizens can love and serve this nation like you and I

do. If we don’t, they will live like in the old days in their former countries, with their old

rules and priorities. Frankly, we might not like the results.

If we don’t start guiding these new citizens soon enough, and with the number of

new citizens increasing, America could soon become more like the countries our new

citizens left, rather than the America that they came to embrace and that we’d like to

keep. By not training immigrants better than we do, we have a certain recipe for chaos.

But I will tell you one thing more. I am still so optimistic about America’s future!

Our system has been improving over the last 229 years, and we will continue to prosper.

DAR members: I strongly believe that America will continue to be the best place

on earth because of your roles as caretakers of this nation. It was September 13, 1985,

when I first met a member of DAR. I will never forget the DAR volunteer who greeted

me with a big smile as I walked out of the courtroom where I had just been sworn in as a

new American. Her sweater was probably a double XL, and her smile was even bigger

than that.

Aside from her smile, she also gave me a small red rose, not to mention a small

American flag that I still keep in our china cabinet. More than anything, she gave me

some lessons that had an impact that lasts to this day:

America is full of love and care!

America is full of volunteers!

I am here because American needs me!

I made up my mind at that moment. I will be the best citizen this nation ever had,

and I mean ever!

Let me return the favor of the lady in the big sweater by telling you again my

important message for today: There are so many patriots in immigrant communities, but

they are quiet. We need to stimulate and empower these sleeping giants.

We love America!

With you, we want to take care of this great nation, and make this nation an even

better place to live and die for.

I want you to count me in!

I want you to count in also my fellow immigrants, who will help me take care of

this great nation.

Merry Christmas to you all!

God bless the troops on the front lines!

And God bless the U.S. of A.!

Networking 101 Speech OKTA June 2013

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 11:54:28 GMT

Networking 101

OKTA Atlanta Speech by Sunny K. Park Friday 21 June 2013

Why do we run business? Why do we want to build successful business?

우리는 왜 사업을 하려나? 왜 성공적 사업가가 되려고 하나?

Can we achieve successful business if we want?

성공을 원하면 성공을 하나요? 돈을 벌려면 돈이 벌리던가요?

성공은 버는(earn) 것이다.

When should you network? Who helps you to be successful?

사람들, 주변의 사람들, 그리고, 그사람들의 주변 사람들

What does networking mean?

“다단계 마케팅 수법,” “부탁을 하기 위한 인맥 조성” 이라는 부정적 이미지가 있다.

나와 내가 가진 가칠를 필요로 하는 사람들과 만나고 나의 가치를 알린다.

특히, 한국에서는 “빽” 이 있어야 나를 알릴수 있는데, 미국에서는 스스로 알릴수가 있다.

Share My Story of Morgan Stanley:

Northridge Janitor-Exceptional Quality Work-Invited to Speak at Board Meeting-Earn More

Business-Invited to Join Their Asian Investment-Japanese Business Connection-Chinese

Business Connection-Great Britain (New Castle) Business Connection.

I AM STILL CHIEF EXECUTIVE JANITOR!

Why is it important to network?

감추어진 보석은 그 가치가 약하다.

나의 특징과 가치를 다른이에게 알릴수 있는 기회를 창조 한다.

How can you develop a robust professional network?

황금률 실천에 기초한, 기여하고 주려는 의도가 있는 만남을 가저라

자신 개인이나 사업체의 기량과 역량을 늘리거나 보태지 말고 정확하게 알려라.

언행이 일치하는 경험을 보여라.

Manage Network? Serve Network?

What do you call the machine making computer network? Server!

Server! Servers must Maintained!

Lastly!

밥을 먹으면 변소를 가게 되어 있드시, 돈은 진정하고 꾸준한 황금률 실천노력의 副産物

이다. Money is by product!

So What? What are going to do with your success, money, fame?

Enjoy it! Make Most of it, use it for good reasons!

Globalization Speech to Students of Berry and Covenant

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 11:50:00 GMT

Globalization: Are you ready (speech)

Greetings

President Colley, thank you for your kind introduction, it was a little exaggerated one but I like it.

Thank you very much!

President Nielson, President Colley, Director General Adamis, Dean Dhir, distinguished panel,

professors, guests and students,

Introduction

I am honored to being a part of your effort to assist our future leaders to be successful in their global

world competition.

I am in bldg maintenance business based in Atlanta with 2,200 plus workers. I am also involved in

international business, invest in real estate, once partnering with Morgan Stanley in Asia.

I develop shopping centers, residential subdivisions and invest in raw lands for future development.

Doing business internationally is an exciting but requires a different kind of mind sets.

I will do what I can to visualize the competitiveness and future strategy to take advantage to win in

the international economy.

English language

I guess I got picked because my unique backgrounds and my English accents which possibly will

make the globalization conference a realistic one.

I learned my English from the GIs who serve in Korea, some from New Jersey, some from Texas

and some from Georgia and Tennessee. Some educated and some were not formally educated.

My English teacher in my middle school was a Korean who learned English from a Japanese

teacher who learned his English from an Australian English teacher. So you will be taking the

conference in global English.

So, don’t blame me for my hard-to-understand English accents but blame those GIs and my English

teachers.

Talking about English, the language is one of many important factors doing business in

international market.

Thus, you are fortunate to have English as your native language because English is the international

language.

Well, except those French people, I heard.

Globalization Today

Truly, it is an exciting day for me to be here and speak to you, who will make the world different as

your time comes.

Globalization today is inevitable and effecting in pretty much in all areas. Foods, people,

environmentally, economically, politically, culturally, between the people of the world, you name it.

Nowadays we find more and more restaurants serves foods from all different continents.

They call it fusion foods, and I called it confusion foods.

I would like to ask a few questions.

How many of you eat sushi? How about sushi pizza? Well, pizza is an Italian food anyway.

How many of you tried Kimchi, a Korean pungent pickled cabbage?

How many of you used chop sticks to eat meals? Anyone watched the movie Karate Kids?

Do you remember the Master Unagi san catches mosquito with his chop sticks?

McDonald’s Hamburgers and Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwiches sold in restaurants everywhere,

Seoul, Moscow, Buenos Iris, Tokyo, Shanghai and many other countries.

I was in North Georgia mountain village a few years ago and found out those people eats rattle

snake, people in Kansas City pickled or fried those rattle snakes and eat them as appetizers.

I never could imagine any Georgian would ever eat raw fish for dinner instead of fried chicken and

sweet potatoes and green beans.

Globalization means in many ways is a trend and a way of life.

Conflicts in Iraq, a small country, size of California, three thousands miles away directly impact in

our life style.

The inferno in the oil wells in Iraq we saw in TV we are seeing directly effects to our pockets and in

our environment.

The flu or SARS symptom started in Kwang-jou, China, a city seven thousand miles away took

only 72 hours to make a trip to the West coast of United States.

American blue jeans became a uniform of young people of the global world.

We are witnessing the change of the world in a fast pace, pretty much in all areas.

The New York Times no longer covers only New York area news but the world news.

Consequently, you will end up meeting more new friends and business associates from other parts

of the world.

Yao! How many of you know who Yao Ming is?

Yao is a professional basket ball player for Houston Rockets and NBA Rookie of the Year of 2003

and just one of dozen foreign basket ball players in NBA.

Sammy Sosa of Chicago Cubs from Honduras, Chan-ho Park of Texas Rangers from South Korea

and many others plays in Major League baseball clubs.

You can easily see American sports players in Japan, Korea and other countries while many of golf

professionals play in PGA and LPGA in the United States.

CNN of Atlanta and other media delivers news from every corner of the world in every half an

hour.

We watched the detail scenes of the War from the Iraqi desert, live, even to the American living

rooms.

Fiber optic telecommunication technology carries information of the world to other side of the

globe faster than the speed of sounds.

We are living in time hear the news of Bangladesh flood before we hear the tornado touch down

news in South Georgia.

WTO

Are YOU ready?

Lets talk about the international trade and businesses.

Some of us heard the story of 88 day Around the World in early 60’s but today, the supersonic jets

can fly the around the world in just a half day.

The cargo plane left China with merchandise today will be landing Atlanta Airport tomorrow.

The merchandise will be on the store shelf of the Wal-Mart in Rome, GA by this weekend.

This means the Romans in Georgia can purchase the Chinese made goods in a very low price.

Our competitiveness is weaker than most of other countries, we have very tough competition in

manufacturing.

The average Chinese workers paid about $100 per month while their average living cost is about

$60 per month.

And, they work about twice longer hours than American workers because they work 12 hours per

day and work on Saturdays.

Our labor cost is about 13 times expensive than China today.

Many American manufacturers moved their assembly lines to out side United Stets to take

advantage of the low labor cost as American blue color worker’s average wage is about $1,600 per

month while the living cost is about $1,300 per month.

Scared? I was and I wish you are!

Globalization is here to stay and it is rapidly expanding.

Are YOU ready?

Are We Ready?

Sure we do!

Let us focus on economical side of the globalization, particularly how it effects to Georgians.

Georgia became very important center location of American global economy.

Georgia’s international business starts at the Hartsfield International Airport and Savannah Sea

Port.

Not like old days, air transportation system is essential way to meet the needs in the global economy

and Atlanta is located in the center of the Southeast.

Atlanta metropolitan area will continue to grow and the population of Georgia will reach well above

10 million people by 2025 per US Census Bureau, 2000.

Given situation and resources are important factors to take advantage. But we must have to have

people with international mind and skill to take advantage of the given situation is more important.

State of Georgia has excellent team with creative

I want to ask you a question:

Can anyone tell us who is leading the Georgia Dept of Industry, Trade and Tourism?

It is Mr. Glenn Cornell, Berry’s own alum and the Georgia’s pride and I am thrilled to see him to

lead the important mission.

I am confident that Mr. Cornell will improve the Georgia international business. I can tell he has

received Miss Martha Berry’s education with her vision. Miss Berry went to travel New York but

Glenn will be going to Europe, Asia and South American countries.

One of most important assets Georgia has is the people. Georgians are friendly, educated, highly

productive and kind people.

If we have time, I would like to share the resources of Georgia has and what Georgia offers to

potential investors in Georgia. I would like to take a moment to appreciate Mr. Tim Evans at GA

dept of Industry, Trade and Tourism for the data and information he sent.

(Power Point or explain Georgia data if Power Point is not available)

What can you do to be a part of the growth?

Now, are you ready to be a part of the growth of Georgia, the tenth largest state in US?

It is up to the individuals whether they will be a part of the growing world or isolate them selves

from it.

I know a quiet a few people left Atlanta and move to the North Georgia and Tennessee mountains to

get away from the new expansion of the city.

My good friend Steve, born in Atlanta, moved out to Lilburn, once a small town of Gwinett County

in the early 70’s.

Fifteen years later, Steve moved to Gainsville, Georgia to avoid the out grows and congested

schools with bunch of foreigners.

Steve and his wife Linda is building a house in Haiwassee, Georgia to move out from all.

How many of you think Steve can get away from the changing world?

First, I would like to tell you my story

Simply because I am a business man doing businesses with entrepreneurs

Chinese economy

Hong Kong stock market is up because the new Chinese leader announce

We now know we are sharing different weathers and resources with people in the other side of the

world, sand storm starting Mongolia Mojave desert carries the sand powders to the West Coast of

United States within a week’s time.

Stone mountain is the largest

I would think it is a timely subject as the international businesses are coming to Georgia.

They are coming from overseas and they are moving their U. S. headquarters to Georgia from other

cities in the United States.

I started my career and business with no money no resources. That was only twenty years ago and I

made my self very good. I am sixty years old this year.

I sometimes, look at my life as three segments. The first twenty years to learn, the second twenty

years to experience and the third twenty years to utilize the knowledge and experience I gained.

I gained a lot of knowledge and experiences, made a ton of mistakes, received a lot of Bs and Cs in

schools. I spend most of my time with Asian Americans and young Americans. I have over two

thousand employees and a good team to run my businesses. I still work long hours and busy

utilizing what I learned and gained. I also advise our President Bush on policies as his advisory

commissioner.

Some of Berry students study in Europe and some will study in Seoul Women’s University this

summer while Berry students will be studying together with Korean students this fall. The sand

storm from China and Mongolia reaches to the west coast of United States with in two weeks. This

is not a new but the new today is you know it as people in the old days never could figured out how

in the world the sands blown from the clean and blue water of Pacific.

Each of us will face the wave of globalization. Rome is an integral part of Georgia’s globalization.

We should expect and be ready for the trend and be ready to expand our efforts in businesses and

industry to other countries. It will be fun and challenging time and I am looking forward to it.

One question we want to ask our selves that are we reacting to the globalizing world fast enough?

Globalization to me is like enlarging area you belong.

Globalization, to me, is like expanding your self beyond your neighbors, community and the

country and producing more than friendship out of relationship with friends, associates and

neighbors.

I moved from South Korea in 1974, lived here in Georgia since 1978 after lived in Indianapolis a

few years.

I still remember the first flight to the United States, I was frightened and scare but mix with hope.

I opened a world map and started to examine where I was and where I was going to.

Before I left Korea, I most distance I traveled was to Pusan City, only about 300 miles to the south

from where I was living.

I was fortunate enough to watch some of those American movies, from John Wayne movies and

Gone with Winds to James Dean movies and Natalie Woods and Elvis Presley movies.

My dream for the world started from those dark movie theatres and libraries.

My heart was pounding as I glance through faded pictures of Chicago and New York skylines of

Life magazine.

The place I was living, Seoul City was too small and too many people competes each other.

One hot summer afternoon, I determined to make my life with the people of the world.

I was a fifteen years old boy, working average 10 hours per day everyday for a dry fish wholesaler

as a delivery man, twenty nine days per month, third Monday was only off day of each month.

I was attending night high school after work, study about 6 hours daily for six days per week.

I listed out all those obstacles for my dreams become a reality. It was a long list of things to do.

The top of the list was English problem. The next thing in the list was familiarize to the American

cultures. These must solved before I pursue my plan to go to the world.

There were many other obstacles to follow but nothing should prevent me to be successful and

realizing my dream to go to the world.

Thinking back of those days, I was fortunate to have the confidence. I still think the confidence is

most important ingredient for anyone to be successful.

I made an index card size reminder cards, wrote down a words of French General Napoleon “there

are no word “impossible” in my dictionary,” laminated with scotch tapes and posted front of my

desk, one inside my wallet and a few used as book marks.

I had no way to get around of the reminder cards.

Next thing I did, I obtained addresses for pen pals, five individuals from five different continents,

all female.

I started to write to those pen pals, one in India, one in Sweden, one in Nigeria, one in Argentina

and one in Youngstown, Ohio.

It usually took me a month to write one-page-letter. I had to get a proof reading from my English

teachers but usually take five to six trips to finalize an English letter.

Once I finish write just one letter and sent the same contents to all five different pen pals, yes, it was

a mass production.

I had to drop all pen pals within two years time but one because I realized one married and the

others was too ugly or too old for me than, as we exchanged the pictures.

We don’t have enough time to talk about the lady in Youngstown, Ohio, Peggy Ryan, but briefly,

we wrote each other for thirty five or some years.

We never met still but we shared our hearts and wisdom through poems and stories.

Once we fell in love each other. She subscribe me National Geographic magazines as she wants to

assist me to achieve my dreams to be achieved.

Peggy would make requests for songs for me to listen in a Korean radio station. Big band music to

unchained melody, we had a fun times. Oh, I am being so romantic, just to think of the past.

I am glad Kay, my wife is not here with us and listen to this confession. Kay went back to college to

obtain another degree and studying today. Thank goodness!

While I was studying English, I regularly stopped by a Western restaurant in Seoul, called Baekjo

Grill for lunch pretty much every off-days.

I had to familiarize to Western foods and wanted to learn Western table manners, I know how to use

chop sticks but I couldn’t figure out how to use folks and spoons in all different sizes properly.

I walk in to the restaurant each month and watch how others eat meals.

I could only order soup because that is all I could afford. It was a large sum of investment for me as

a student working and study at a night school but I had to learn the customs.

Don’t ask me if I liked the American foods than because I didn’t like it at all, it was too greasy and

buttery, but, I had to experience it.

Nothing could block me to do what I wanted to do.

When I arrived Georgia 1978, Georgia was about to starting to expose to the world.

The South decided to open up their protected hermit Dixie and embrace the world.

1980 World’s Fair of Knoxville attracted curious visitors and potential investors of the world to the

South.

I think Georgia received more economical benefits than Tennessee from the Fair, some thinks

because the airports and the accessibility but I think because the spirit of Georgians, true Southern

hospitality with warm hearts.

Former president Jimmy Carter played a major role to open up the South and Georgia.

Georgia, especially after the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games, became a true international

state.

World class airports and world class corporations choose to do international business here in

Georgia.

The globe moves the same speed as it was in thousand years ago but the world is moving faster and

faster. Internet with fiber optics carries information and images faster than sound. It took 88 days to

around the world until early 40’s but today, the supersonic jet can take you around the world in less

than XX hours. Faster you move, the more you see, more you see, the more opportunity.

A man from Korea is here in town called Rome in America giving speech on globalization to

students of Berry and Covenant. Can anyone imagine that Miss Martha Berry would ever guess

that? I certainly think so as I read a letter of Miss Berry to a Berry student name George October 22,

1908, she emphasized him to giving the students a vision of the best and highest things in life. Miss

Berry envisioned the world in her hands and demanded her students to see what she was seeing. I

too, today, a man from a 7,000 miles away, born in the year she left this world would like to

emphasis you all push your selves to have vision of the best and highest things in life.

I moved to Atlanta, Georgia in March 1, 1998 and I lived here ever since. Georgia embraced my

mind and I fall in love with Georgia. It was the people of Georgia, not all of Georgians but just one

person from Georgia helped me to make up mind to settle in Georgia. I came to Rome three years

ago to visit Berry and the spirit of Martha Berry grabbed my heart at the moment I walked in to the

campus. Within a one year’s time, I brought Dr. Billy Kim, the chairman of the World Baptist

Convention, a Korean minister, good friend of Billy Graham, a graduate of Bob Jones. Within a six

months of time, Dr. Billy Kim introduced Berry to a number three women university in Korea and

Dr. Lee, the president of Seoul Women’s University visited the Berry and of course, she like the

Berry. This very summer, the Berry will send five students to Korea to spend time with students

from more than twenty six countries. These students will coma back to Rome in America and will

share their experiences with other students and friends and possibly these students will end working

together some Korean people or the friends from other countries met in Korea.

At the same time, the Korean students will be here and study at Berry and make friends in Rome

and Berry this fall. These college students may be come to Georgia if anyone likes the people

and/or nature of Georgia they will experience. Who knows, some of Berry and SWU students may

be find permanent companions and marry.

I was impressed as you are as read Miss Berry’s fundraising activities. Do you know how Miss

Berry interested Mr. Ford first time to Berry? She sold Georgia spring to invite Mr. Ford to Berry in

1916 based on the letter she wrote to Miss Tarbell, a New York journalist. She could have been

gone to Korea to sell Georgia’s spring if she lived today. It took 88 days to travel around the world

and took two hours of train ride to Rome from Atlanta those days, however, it only takes a less than

a day to travel around the world.

Russia, Brazil, Denmark, Spain, Slovak Republic, Japan and Korea was countries of foreign, well,

legally and politically still they are, but the reality is they all are a part of one neighboring

community.

because it will only take 14 hours to travel which is less amount of hours took to travel to Miami,

Florida by car in old days.

Businesses from all around the world made Georgia their base to making profits and build the

Georgia the center point of their expansion of their businesses to the world. Today in Georgia, we

have 1,076 internationally owned businesses and 583 international manufacturers from 52 countries

doing business in Georgia according to the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism.

They joined Georgia businesses and making the Georgia a world class state while selling made in

Georgia to other countries. 59 countries opened their consulate or trade offices in Georgia.

company from Japan and manufacturing automobile parts and shipping to other states. Virtually

everyday, Mr. Glenn Cornell, a Berry alum and the leader in the Berry community and the man in

charge of the Dept of Industry and Trade and Tourism, and his team is selling Georgia spring and

fall but hiding muggy summer. Now, It is simple to understand globalization but the question still

lies; are you ready for the globalization?

Adjusting to the world is answer to the question. When I came to Georgia in 1997, I have been thru

many different experiences, some good but some are not so kind. As a foreigner in Georgia, where

many red necks live in the late 70’s when they call Northerners “Yankees, or damn Yankees” in

some cases depends on what color of the neck they have. It was not easy for me to travel in the

country side as some kids following me around and ask me if I go to bathroom too. One time, I

went to Covington, Georgia where once a real boony country to visit the film making location of the

TV series XXX, a group of kids in their age about 9 or 10 following me around for a long while and

I became uncomfortable, I wanted to do something about this naughty boys before I get real angry, I

stop and turn my face to them and showing serious expression and said, you have been following

me around last thirty minutes and you are to pay me a dime per minute to look at me. I said to a

bigger boy among them and said, you owed me 3 dollars, the boy got a little scared and told me “I

only followed you about fifteen minutes and I should only be charged $1.50.

Last three years, I was busy to go to Korea and Japan to work with my business partners in real

estate deals. The Asian economy was weaken in the late 90’s, and many Wall Street investment

bankers

Olympic 1996

VanLandingham Award acceptance speech. Sunny K. Park

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 11:45:56 GMT

VanLandingham Award acceptance speech. Sunny K. Park

Thank you, Chuck Lewis, for your kind introduction. A little exaggerated version, but I liked it.

Thank you to the Georgia Council on Economic Education and to David Martin for your leadership

and for the great job you have done in recent years.

I also want to thanks to the William J. VanLandingham Award selection committee for the mistake

they made in choosing the wrong man for this distinguished award. When you see a turtle on a

fence post, you know he didn't get there by himself. I am delighted to acknowledge the efforts of

my teammates at General Building Maintenance and One Georgia Bank, and , the MVPs are my

wife Kay and my children.

My congratulations to Ms ________, the Teacher of the Year Award recipient. I admire and

respect all those good teachers who lose sleep at night, concerned about their students. Thank

you for your excellent work.

My job title is CEJ. The “J” stands for Janitor. I am a janitor on my job and a janitor at home as

well. Because I am proud of what I do, I pick up the trash in public places whether or not I’m

getting paid to do so. It’s important that when you acknowledge that something is not right or

could be better, you assume the responsibility for fixing the problem you just encountered.

Americans' views on the economy and the general state of the country have hit an all-time low,

according to a CBS News/New York Times poll published on April 3, 2008. Never in the history of

this poll have people been so pessimistic about where the county is headed. Eighty-one percent

(81%) of those polled say the country is on the wrong track, while only 14 percent believe it is

moving in the right direction. Going with what I said before about responsibility, this means that

81 percent of the people — at least — should be helping to fix the problem they’ve recognized.

We all have work to do here in fixing the problems our nation faces today. Realistically, I am not

sure how much we CAN do, but what we CANNOT do is just sit on the sideline and watch the

fallout.

The first thing we can do is to help our future generations be better equipped to fix our problems. I

am talking, of course, about education — specifically education about the economy, because the

economy relates to every part of our life and our society.

You are the ones who are making the nation and our community better today for tomorrow. You

are the ones with the willingness to help our future generations work toward helping this country

prosper.

One thing is for sure: I will make the most of this award, using it to attract young audiences to pay

more attention to my message — to let them know the importance of responsibility and education.

For that reason, I am accepting this award.

Thank you all very much, and may God bless all of you and your efforts.

Short Version: VanLandingham Award acceptance speech. Sunny K. Park

Thank you, Chuck Lewis, for your kind introduction, a little exaggerated, but I liked it.

I want to thank to the Georgia Council on Economic Education and to David Martin for your

services and dedication for our future leaders.

I appreciate the William J. VanLandingham Commitment to Education Award selection

committee for the mistake they made in choosing the wrong man for this distinguished award.

Thank you though

When you see a turtle on a fence post, you know he didn't get there by himself. I am delighted to

acknowledge the efforts of my teammates at my businesses, General Building Maintenance

and One Georgia Bank, and, the MVPs are my wife Kay and my children, thank you Kay!

I want to thank many of my friends in other organizations I am a part of, joining this luncheon with

us. Jay Eun, president of the Korean American Association of Greater Atlanta, Stephen Briggs,

President of Berry College, Rogers Wade, President of Georgia Public Policy Foundation, Mr.

Hakkeun Chang, a director of US Dept of HUD,

My congratulations to ____, the Georgia Economics Teacher of the Year Award and _____,

Economic Program Excellent Award recipients.

I admire and respect good teachers who lose sleep at night, concerned about the future of their

students. Thank you both for your excellent work.

Georgia Council on Economic Education helps Georgia teachers to teach our students prepared

for their economic roles as workers, consumers, citizens, and lifelong decision makers in a globally

interdependent world.

You are the ones who are making the nation and our community better today for tomorrow.

You are the ones with the willingness to help our future generations work toward helping this

country continue to be prosperous. I am honored to be a part of your efforts

One thing is for sure: I will make the most of this award, using it to attract young audiences to

pay more attention to my messages — to help them to understand the importance of

responsibility and education.

For that reason, I am accepting this award.

Thank you all very much, and may God bless all of you and your efforts.

Speech on globalization to Perimeter Optimist Club members

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 11:43:57 GMT

Speech on globalization to Perimeter Optimist Club members

Aug 17 2004

Sunny Park

Globalization: Are you ready

Greetings

Respected members of the Perimeter Optimist Club, Club President STUART

NATERMAN, Mr. Tony Clark, thank you for your invitation and

introduction—I don’t feel like I am at all anybody would be invited to speak

to any group. But you think I am qualified. Well, I am here and you all are

so optimistic and positive.

Really, I am honored to be a part of your effort to make the world better and

assist our future leaders. I visited your Web site and study how I can be

helpful for you to help the world differently. I thought something about the

international community and the global competition would be a good subject

to pick. I just hope I am not too optimistic.

First of all, I am grateful to our troops, the heroic men and women, fighting

for the safety of this great country and the freedom of the people of Iraq.

Without them, we would not be here today having a conference. I pray to

God that He will bless and strengthen each of them and return them home

safely.

I came to Georgia in 1978. As a foreign-born American in Georgia, it was

not comfortable for me to travel in the countryside. Many Georgians were

not familiar or didn’t want to be familiar with outsiders such as myself.

One time, I went to Covington, Georgia. It was much more country back

then.

A group of kids followed me around for a long while and I became

uncomfortable and annoyed. I wanted to do something about it. Some of

them had never seen an Asian person in person before.

I stopped and turned my face to them, showing a serious expression and

said, “You have been following me around last 30 minutes and you are to

pay me a dime each minute you look at me.”

So, you owe me $3, the boy got a little scared and then told me, “I only

followed you about fifteen minutes and I should only be charged $1.50.”

That was about a quarter century ago. Metro Atlanta population was about

1.5 million and my income was about $17,000 per year.

Now we enjoying almost 5 million people living in Metro Atlanta, we have

new friends moved from everywhere. You look around, they are from all

over the world, some from Asia and some from South America and we have

some from the north, I am talking about those Yankees. Atlanta is not only

place growing but all places in the globe.

Globalization is a lifestyle. The size of the world is shrinking as the speed of

transportation and information technology improves. It covers all areas:

economics, the environment, culture, education, social interaction and more.

Fiber optic and wireless telecommunication technology carries information

of the world to other side of the globe faster than the speed of sound.

The conflict in Iraq, a small country that is the size of California and almost

four thousands miles away, directly impacts our lifestyle every day.

Our sons and daughters are fighting for freedom.

The flu-like SARS symptom started in China, a country located 7,000 miles

away from us, took only 72 hours to make a trip to the West coast of the

United States.

American blue jeans are the uniform of young people around the world

today.

CNN Headline News of Atlanta covers news from every corner of the world

every half hour.

WTO, the World Trade Organization, NAFTA, North American Free Trade

Agreement, WTO cartel memberships are growing, now reaching 145

nations.

The members of these organizations have one thing in mind; be competitive

in order to reap their own rewards.

In this competitive global market, some will win and some will lose. I would

say that those countries that are ready to compete will win and the countries

ignoring the facts and the realities will lose the international competition.

The world is definitely shrinking and you must realize the changing world

whether you like it or not.

Are we ready for the upcoming new world economy?

With my experiences in limited segments of broad globalization, I may be

able to help you to realize how the foreign investors perceive Georgians as

far as globalization goes.

I hope we can see for ourselves (ourselves is one word) and make changes if

there are any needs to adjust.

Globalization in business means competition. Compete with other countries;

compete with neighboring states and counties.

In the mid 1980’s, there was a wave of Japanese companies investing in

Georgia. Japan remains on the top of the list of those countries that have

made investments in Georgia.

Financially rewarded by its relationship with Japan, The State of Georgia

then started going after Korean companies. Sure enough, When the Korean

electronic giant LG, then Gold Star, was looking for a new site to build a

factory, both Alabama and Georgia competed for this juicy deal by offering

attractive, incentives, tax credits and more.

LG decided to settle in Huntsville, Alabama, because of the incentives

Alabama offered but I heard the inside story later. The real reason was that

they liked the people they dealt with. Georgia lost another big deal with

Samsung (Samsung is one word) to New Jersey--this time it was because we

didn’t have good schools for the children to go to in Newnan, Georgia.

Former governor Joe Frank Harris of Cartersville put so much effort in

economic globalization of Georgia while he was in office. He utilized the

resources of local ethnic community leaders to reach out to lure international

investors to Georgia.

He has done a great job as you can see from his records.

In the early-1980’s, Gov. Harris went to Korea as the head of the Georgia

trade delegation to Korea for a series of meetings.

In most of Asian countries, entertainment is a vital part of deal making.

And, entertainment means there will be a lot of drinking, it is sort of

unofficial requirement and that usually goes until the very late hours of the

night.

As some of you might know, Gov. Harris is a Baptist and never drinks. He

was in a situation that would either displease the potential investors or

disobey the Lord. He came all the way to Korea and the mission at hand was

very important for Georgia, as you can imagine the dilemma he was in.

The staffs decided to use a trick, they asked the waiter to bring a pitcher of

water and a bottle of good-old Georgia Coca-Cola and pour to the whiskey

glass. It looks like a whiskey and the potential investors didn’t know a thing.

I have tried to mix coke with water. I didn’t like the taste of it and neither

does Gov. Harris.

As a result, his team initiated the Korean corporations to shift their attention

to Georgia and landed a big deal. SKC, a major Korean conglomerate built

their polyester film plant in Covington, Georgia, which is still listed as the

largest single foreign investment in Georgia history.

I think he accomplished the goal because he was flexible.

I think “flexible” is the word we want to remember to be successful in

globalization. We also want to be able to honor the rules and customs of

others and invest in the future economy.

I become more flexible when I remind myself to treat others the way I want

to be treated. Sound familiar?

I believe flexibility can be the power source to create ideas and new attitudes

about getting along with the new neighbors in the shrinking world.

Doing business internationally is fun and challenging.

I have dealt with a few investors from around the world looking for

opportunities to make a profit in international market.

From 1998 to 2002, my consulting work at a major American investment

bank helped the company make over $100 million dollars profit, resulting

from a real estate investment in Asia.

The global market is wide open for the people who are ready.

That also means the international market is open to all and every country.

A cargo plane leaving China with merchandise today will land at Hartsfield

tomorrow.

The merchandise will be on the store shelves at Wal-Mart in Rome, Georgia,

by this weekend.

Our competitiveness in certain markets is weaker than most other countries.

The United States has very tough competition for manufacturing consumer

goods.

The average Chinese worker is paid about $100 per month while his or her

average living cost is about $60 per month.

An American blue collar worker’s average wage is about $1,600 per month

while the living cost is about $1,200 per month per person.

The productivity level of other countries is higher than ours. The Chinese

worker work 12 hours per day, including Saturdays.

This means that consumers in Chattanooga and Rome can purchase the

Chinese-made goods at a very low price.

Obviously, the Chinese economy is growing rapidly and so does the market

for us.

China is the country we cannot live without but at the same time, our

potential enemy. I feel confused

Scared? Too bad for those are not ready for globalization, which is here to

stay and it is rapidly expanding.

The question is…are we ready?

Are We Ready?

Sure we are! We have very good news for you. Some of you can take

advantage of the economic environment that America and Georgia created.

I wonder if Americans know the value they have. Many of them are aware

of it I but sometimes I question whether they do.

It is easy for us take things for granted when we have enough.

I often look at myself through the mirror and try to assess my worth. $2

million dollars for two eyes of mine, no…more than that--how about $10

million? Well, still too low but let’s settle for it for the time being.

Let’s say we price $10 million for my two hands, $10 million for my ten

fingers, $10 billion for my brains and so on. My body may be worth $100

billion easy. These tools are free gifts from God but we must use them.

The value of America today is also astronomical.

We are the richest country in the world today.

Some of you may not want to agree but we have the most advanced

educational system and technology in the world.

The English language is the language of international business and we speak

the language already. I think that even a Georgia drawl is considered to be

English, too.

Students from all over the world come here to learn American technology

More than 24% of the PH.D degree recipients at American universities in

2002 were foreign students.

The United States spans over 3.5 million square miles. The population

density is 60 people per sq mile while Singapore has 10,000 people per sq

mile.

The US is one of only four countries in the world that produce enough food

to feed its people. And, 60 percent of the world’s automobiles are right here

in the US.

Let’s see what Georgia offers. Other than optimism.

Georgia is home to 15 smart Fortune 500 corporations and there are more to

come. Coca Cola, Home Depot, UPS, CNN, Lockheed Martin and recently

Rubber Maid made decisions to move their HQs to Alpharetta, Georgia.

Georgia is one of very few states in the country that have successfully hosted

the Summer Olympic Games.

Businesses from all around the world made Georgia their base, which helps

grow Georgia’s economy and raise the profile of this great state.

Today (repetitive to keep we have 1,076 internationally owned businesses

and 583 international manufacturers from 52 countries doing business in

Georgia, according to the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and

Tourism. CIVA Vision, ING, Phillips, Bayer, Siemens, Porsche, Alcatel and

many more international companies made their homes here.

59 countries have their consulate or trade offices in Georgia.

Rome and North Georgia offers the world no others can compete, carpet and

textile, automobile parts, transportation and agriculture to name a few.

I don’t think they are here to help Georgia’s economy but themselves.

I think it is important for us to know why they are coming to Georgia. This

state offers its foreign investors things that other states can’t.

It offers the best, central location for business: Georgia’s international

business starts at the Hartsfield International Airport and extends to the

seaports of Savannah and Brunswick.

It offers hardworking labor power: One of most important assets Georgia is

its people.

Georgians are friendly, honest and highly productive. The state will

continue to grow and the population will reach well above 10 million by

2025 per US Census 2000

Its government offers the best of business environments: Georgia has

excellent team and the leadership.

One question to people in Georgia: Do we realize and utilize the resources

that foreigners realize and utilize?

I am optimistic as Georgians are more eager to understand the international

market and more and more ambitious Georgia businesses are expanding

their territory to the world market.

The state of Georgia has a successful track record in bringing foreign and

major domestic businesses.

When we talk about globalization, I always think of the high standard Miss

Martha Berry set. At the time she was nurturing Berry College, Miss Berry

traveled to New York City to sell her vision of Berry, at that time NYC was

like a foreign country.

I am a part of Georgia Ports Authority and I am proud of the efforts the

Authority making in the global market. Ports of Georgia, Savannah and

Brunswick are the fastest growing ports in the country. Governor Perdue

brought me into the Authority with optimistic agenda, he wants to make the

Authority global look, not because I have a round face but I speak some

foreign languages. I will be going to Europe, Asia, South-America and to

American corporations to sell the values of Georgia.

Globalization Today

Globalization is our reality and it is affecting every area of our lives.

So, how can we be ready for the changing world? Let’s start with basic

methods.

Experiencing foreign foods can be one easy and fun way to familiarize with

foreign culture.

McDonald’s and KFC are everywhere: Seoul, Moscow, Buenos Aires,

Tokyo, Shanghai and many other cities and they are familiar with our

cultures. How about yourselves?

You can easily find good-old-southern grits in the breakfast buffets in

Korea. I heard Yankees even eat them.

Foreigners eat fried green tomatoes in Georgia and try fried rattle-snake as

appetizers in a Kansas City hotel restaurant without hesitation.

But how many of you had sushi? How about sushi pizza?

How many of you tried Kimchi, a Korean pickled cabbage dish?

How many of you used chopsticks?

Next, we should read news papers, including The Wall Street Journal and

Business Week.

You want to tune into international news and information in order to

understand the rapidly changing world and its economy.

How about learn a few foreign languages. It is not that hard if you are

determined and persistent.

We need to learn foreign languages to compete in the global economy.

Foreign students come to Georgia Tech and learn our new technology. They

will improve the technology and write the invention in their own language

and there will be no way for our children to learn the improved technology.

It is easier to succeed than to fail--does that sound familiar? It is the title of

a book that Mr. Truit Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A and the founder of

the WinShape wrote.

I am one of many Mr. Cathy’s admirers, as he is applying the gifts of God

for a good purpose. I want to echo his statements. You want to find one

more optimist, Mr. Cathy can be one of you, definitely.

All you have to do is demonstrate the proven formulas with the flexibility.

Imagine an article on your globalization success stories in The New York

Times in April 2013, ten years later from this date.

You can do it--a man with halting English did.

Help me to brag about how I helped your success ten years from now as I

read the article of your success!

Thank you all for coming and listening. I will pray for the outcome of this

conference.

Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University Presents Atlanta BIZ - Sunny Park

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 10:24:02 GMT

Spring Semester End Worship Service and Holy Communion

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 05:03:05 GMT

Spring Semester End Worship Service and Holy Communion at University Chapel: June 19 (Tue) 6:00 pm Spring Semester End Worship Service and Holy Communion at University Chapel: June 19 (Tue) 6:00 pmSpring. Spring Semester End Worship Service and Holy Communion at University Chapel: June 19 (Tue) 6:00 pm Spring Semester End Worship Service and Holy Communion at University Chapel: June 19 (Tue) 6:00 pmSpring. Spring Semester End Worship Service and Holy Communion at University Chapel: June 19 (Tue) 6:00 pm Spring Semester End Worship Service and Holy Communion at University Chapel: June 19 (Tue) 6:00 pmSpring. Spring Semester End Worship Service and Holy Communion at University Chapel: June 19 (Tue) 6:00 pm Spring Semester End Worship Service and Holy Communion at University Chapel: June 19 (Tue) 6:00 pm Spring

Acceptance speech: JA’s Atlanta Business Hall of Fame, 2004

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 05:00:27 GMT

I’m not sure I deserve to be inducted into the Atlanta Business Hall of Fame. Maybe the selection committee had a few beers before deciding, but don’t get me wrong, I am not going to give up this honor of a lifetime. I just want to thank the selection committee for the poor job.

I came to America in 1974 and worked day and night, often seven days a week and 16 hours a day – the typical immigrant workload. My first job here was cleaning the kitchen of a steak house in Indianapolis. Almost ten years later I started a cleaning service business, General Building Maintenance, to make money. Now the work is not about the money, but about responsibility.

Our first contract was for cleaning an office park. Eight years later, we bought the office park. The Atlanta Business Chronicle and the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce selected me as the small-business person of the year in 1992. Twelve years later, Junior Achievement calls with news about the Hall of Fame. I’m not lucky, nor particularly smart. I just followed the rule of success from my Lord like my hero, Mr. Truett Cathy: “It Is Easier to Succeed Than to Fail.”

Before I go on, I want to take the opportunity to thank my God, to whom this honor truly belongs. I want to thank to my family. My wife Kay molded me and helped me stay on track. My lovely daughter Kathy, who works for the New York Times, and my gracious son Jimmy – both endured while I was busy focusing on work. My stepdaughter, charming In-Young, is here with us, and I am glad she is a part of this ceremony. I wish my late father were here, and I really wish my late mother Chung Pyung-nim could be here. She was a great person, and the one who was most responsible for creating the Sunny Park who accepts this award today. I’ll tell you a little story.

Decades ago, my mother was selling hen eggs in a muddy street market in Korea. A customer asked her the price, and would she give a discount if he bought a large quantity — three dozen? My mother replied with a smile and offered him a discount. Then the customer asked if he could buy all her eggs. She told the customer she can’t sell all of them. Even though she is there to make money, she can’t abandon her responsibility to supply eggs to her regulars. The customer walked away without the eggs, and she missed a big sale.

Two years ago WorldCom, a client of my company General Building Maintenance, was three weeks away from filing for bankruptcy. Our dilemma: Should we keep sending our crews to their jobsites? We stood to lose $5,000+ daily if we did the work but didn’t get paid. Other service providers for WorldCom were already walking off their jobs to protect themselves.

We decided to continue providing the cleaning service. Our responsibility overrides the money we get from our work, and our responsibility is to deliver clean work spaces by dawn every day. Some of the people who make sure we live up to that responsibility are here today. Please help me recognize the leadership of GBM: Don Kim, president; Hans Foraker, vice president; and Donovan Wolf, controller. I am so proud of them and all of our teammates.

Ladies and gentlemen, responsibility and pride in workmanship are everything. I am proud to be a janitor, as my mother was proud to be a street merchant.

Americans, regardless of their heritage, are here now to live and work together . . . for a better future for our community, our nation, and the world.

I came to America because there is no place on earth like it. We are a country of freedom, plenty, and opportunity. We all have the responsibility to make America the best country it can be. Regretfully today, I feel as a nation we are lacking a sense of responsibility.

America today is sick and needs our care. Every American – from the classroom to the workplace to the boardroom to the halls of government – should start helping the nation recuperate from cultural chaos and individualism and excessive self-interest. We can’t afford to turn our backs on our nation or each other.

I am excited to be associated with Junior Achievement and the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Your contributions to the business community and the classrooms are remarkable, and I want to commend the programs you have for our future leaders. I would like to offer my service, Ms. Buchanan, to be a part of your continuing effort to heal this country. Call me, please.

And thanks again to the selection committee, Don Chapman and Ed Baker, for this great honor. I want to accept this recognition to show the immigrant community what can be done when we realize our responsibility as citizens.

By the way, WorldCom paid in full for our services before they filed for bankruptcy. They met their responsibility, as we met ours to them.

Thanks to all of you, my guests, and the leaders of the community. May God bless all of you, and God bless America.

GBM cleans up in building maintenance – Minority-owned firm sweeps to $22 million

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:57:16 GMT

The president of one of Atlanta’s fastest-growing janitorial and facility maintenance companies hopes that one day his employees will leave him for a better life. He’s even helping them save money to start their own businesses.

When General Building Maintenance Inc. (GBM) President Sunny Park realized that high turnover was an inevitable part of his business, he decided to help people on their way by paying cash bonuses to cleaners and other low-wage employees who open savings accounts. “These people never had a savings account. And I thought about their future. I didn’t have money once before,” he said.

Park came to the United States from Korea in 1967 to attend Indiana University. Five years after he moved to Atlanta, he started GBM because so many people in Atlanta’s Korean community asked him for help finding a job.

“I found out I can create a business and utilize that as the job provider for those people,” said Park.

At the time, he was an insurance agent. He started GBM in 1983 with a contract to clean the Presidential Office Park complex near Doraville. Today, the company owns the complex and is headquartered in 8,800 square feet there. GBM also has 12 branch offices from Baltimore to Dallas. Employment has doubled and revenues have nearly tripled since 1991, when the company had 250 workers and $7.6 million in revenues. In 1997, Park said he expects GBM to reach $22 million in revenues.

When Park started GBM, most facility maintenance companies used part-time labor. However, part-time employees work with a specific goal in mind: paying off a car, buying a TV, paying a bill.

So Park hired full-time employees, who he said focus more on quality and are more loyal. Hiring for full-time jobs prevented some turnover, but, he added, “As we grow, we are finding a problem keeping good people. We train people and then people leave. So we’re losing a lot of investment.”

In addition to offering full-time work, the promise of advancement in the company and other benefits, Park made it a policy to pay a little more than the competition.

Korean-Americans Raise Money for the Killers of Two Korean Kids

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:53:13 GMT

US Army Sgt. Fernando Nino and Sgt. Mark Walker were cleared of any wrong-doing by a US Army military court in the death of two Korean kids. The two young girls were run down by an armored vehicle manned by the two American servicemen late last year. Since the incident, the two Americans had to endure constant fear of bodily harms by angy Koreans and were confined to the army base.

Soon after the acquittal by the all-military jury, the men secretly left Korea for an unknown destination. The 36-year old Walker phoned his sister Lynn Samples (age 51) in Acworth, GA, soon after the trial on October 22nd, and told her that he would be getting out of Korea soon. Lynn told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that she had no doubt of her brother’s acquittal but had not expected it to come so soon, and that she would love to have her brother back home for Thanksgiving.

Sgt. Walker hired a civilian attorney Guy Womack from Houston to defend him in the court and ran up a legal fee of more than $27,000. His family, neighbors, and friends have raised so far less than $2,000 to help pay the legal fee.

In the United States, the trial of the two servicemen is being viewed by many as politically motivated by a small group of anti-US Korean activists. This view is also shared by some Korean-Americans as well. For example, a group of Koreans calling themselves “Good Neighbors” (http://www.goodneighboring.org) have raised money for Sgt. Walker.

The Korean group is led by Sunny Park (60, Park Sun Gun is his real name), who told Walker’s sister that: “We Korean-Americans are your neighbors. We have collected some money for you as a small token of our friendship to our neighbors in trouble. Please convey our friendship to your brother.” Walker’s sister Lynn Samples replied: “I have been praying for my brother but have never dreamed that I would get any help from any Korean.” She said that she had received money from other Koreans as well.

Sunny Park told the Korean News that “We don’t want Sgt. Walker ending up a sacrificial lamb of anti-US sentiments in Korea and hope that he would get a fair trial for the traffic accident.”

Walker’s defense attorney Womack echoed Park’s sentiment and claimed that Walker’s trial was politically motivated on account of the anti-US demonstrators in South Korea. Womack told the Marietta Daily Journal that: “The ongoing demonstrations are the main reason why the case is going to trial. My suspicion is that because of the political climate in Korea, the commanding general for the second infantry division decided to take this to trail.”

Sue Vogan has been raising money for Walker’s legal fees. Sue said: “They have been cleared by an Article 32 investigation and by South Korean police, but protesters in South Korea have forced the military to cave in and take this case to trial. If it weren’t for the protests, I don’t think this would be a big deal.” Sue said that she heard about the trial from her husband who is stationed in Korea.

During Walker’s trial on October 21st and 22nd, Womack defended Walker fiercely and put the inept Army prosecutors on the defensive. The so-called prosecutors were defenseless under Womack’s sharp verbal attacks. The jury was more impressed by Womack’s rhetoric than with the fumbling, cowering prosecutors. To add insult to injury, a Korean government observer at the trial stated that “the trial was fair,” apparently reflecting the ‘official’ sentiment of Kim Dae Jung, so-called “President of Korea.”

Photo: Koreans handing money to Walker’s sister Lynn Samples (center)

Awards create foreign possibilities

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:50:12 GMT

The idea of studying abroad for an entire semester might be daunting for students, considering the time and money involved, but the International Studies Program has solutions.

One of these solutions is the Seoul Women’s University (SWU) Bahrom International Program. This scholarship program gives students the opportunity to spend an extremely structured month during the summer in South Korea, where they attend lectures in English on the culture and history of Korea.

Later, some of the Korean students they meet will get the chance to study in the United States for a year.

Students attend lectures during the morning and field trips in the afternoon, which cover subjects such as Korean history, language, music, dance, art and film.

Activities for the afternoons include Tae kwon do lessons and learning traditional musical instruments and opportunities to select outings on free days. Each student receives 3 credit hours and free tuition.

While the program serves as a vehicle to create world citizens of Berry students, it also serves to prepare students from Korea to attend Berry. Each Berry student is paired with a future exchange student at the beginning of the program and attends a dinner at that student’s home.

These students will then attend Berry for a full year. As well as lectures being taught in English, the style of teaching is focused toward the environment of American classrooms to help Korean students adjust when they arrive at Berry.

The program was initiated and is funded by Sunny Park, a member of Berry’s board of visitors. Park is the president, chief executive officer and founder of General Building Maintenance Inc. in Atlanta.

According to a previous story in Berry Magazine, Park decided to start the program after hearing a student say that she had never been to Atlanta.

“I want to help young Americans be a part of the world community,” said Park.

Since the initial five students went in July 2003, another four students have participated in the program, and on Feb. 7, Park announced that he would continue to give the scholarships to Berry.

The program does not require students to obtain visas, only a passport, and all students are housed on the SWU campus.

Though SWU is a women’s institution, the program is open to returning male and female Berry students with a minimum 2.5 GPA.

The scholarships are awarded through an application process that includes an essay. Previous participant Steven Wagner (year) said that one of his main motivations for applying was his father’s service in the army.

“My father got to see Korea while he was in the army, but I wanted to learn about the people of Korea,” Wagner said.

The essays are a major part of the selection process. The International Programs Committee is made up of 14 members, with Director of International Programs Sarah Egerer as committee chair. The committee reads each essay and makes the final decision on which students are selected.

“I am amazed that all of the students who attend Seoul University come back saying that the experience was life-changing in such a short period of time,” Egerer said.

This year’s application deadline for the five scholarships is March 10, and Egerer said she is hoping for heightened interest in the program.

Contributed Photo. A group of Berry students visit Ansan Mountain while studying in Korea. They saw sights such as Yoido Full Gospel Church, which is the largest church in the world with more than 700,000 members. Several scholarships will be awarded each year to students who want to study in Koea at Seoul University for Women. In return, Berry takes Korean exchange students for a year.

Most Influential Atlantans 2005

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:46:48 GMT

Charles Bannister

Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman

Charles Bannister, 66, ousted longtime Gwinnett County Commission Chairman F. Wayne Hill in November, becoming the highest-ranking politician in the county.

Bannister, two other Republicans newly elected to the commission and two returning members will be in charge of dealing with the explosive growth in Gwinnett.

The commissioners already have shown they mean business. The county and the Lake Lanier Association resolved a five-year fight over wastewater discharge. In May, the commission fired its MARTA representative, Mychal Walker, for violating the board’s ethics policy.
Bannister served three terms on the Lilburn City Council in the 1970s before becoming the city’s mayor. In 1984, Bannister ran for the state House of Representatives — and won. He stayed in the General Assembly until 1990, when he lost his re-election bid. Bannister later returned to the political arena and was elected in the mid-1990s to serve in the House.

Shirley Franklin

City of Atlanta Mayor

Three years into her first term as mayor, Shirley Franklin, 61, is edging closer to her vision of a city that’s run like a successful business.

The latest step to accomplishing that goal? The Atlanta Committee for Progress — a group organized by Franklin — released its list of objectives in December, including the creation of 60,000 jobs, adding affordable housing, reducing crime and increasing property values. Since its goals were announced, the committee has begun the steps of implementing them, including the creation of an Atlanta brand, working with developer Ray Weeks on the proposed Beltline transit program and more.

Franklin received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in May. The award honors public servants who choose to do what’s right at the risk of their careers. In April, Time magazine named Atlanta’s mayor one of the country’s best big-city mayors.

Franklin is a member of the Democratic National Committee and is treasurer of the Georgia Democratic Party.

Saxby Chambliss

U.S. Senator

Chambliss, 60 — one of two Republican senators representing the state — was elected in 2002. He has long been a staunch supporter of President George W. Bush, although the strength of that alliance has come into question in the face of proposed cuts at Georgia’s military bases, as well as budget cuts affecting the F/A-22 and C-130J airplanes manufactured in Marietta and subsidies for cotton and soybean farmers.

A national highway-funding bill approved by the Senate included a provision authored by Georgia’s senators.

The amendment would create a study of a proposed highway that would link Augusta, Macon and Columbus to Montgomery, Ala., and then go to Natchez, Miss. Another proposed highway would extend from Savannah to Augusta to Knoxville, Tenn.

Cathy Cox

Georgia Secretary of State

Cathy Cox, 46, may make Georgia history again. Elected the first female secretary of state in 1998, Cox now is running for governor — but first she’ll have to take on Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor to decide the Democratic opponent to incumbent Sonny Perdue.

Cox announced her candidacy in her hometown of Bainbridge in April.

Cox introduced the state to electronic voting, which received its biggest test during the 2004 presidential election. A study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology showed that the state experienced the country’s greatest improvement in voting accuracy in the nation. She also introduced advance voting in some districts to reduce waiting times at the polls.

Benjamin R. DeCosta

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Aviation General Manager

Ben DeCosta, 59, was faced with the unenviable task of telling the Atlanta City Council that the new international terminal at the airport is more than a year behind schedule — and may cost millions more than expected.

Funding for the terminal is tied to airport bonds backed by passenger fees, with the bulk from Atlanta’s Delta Air Lines Inc. But with Delta teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, airline officials are eager to renegotiate the terms of the agreement with the city. It’s now expected that the terminal will not open until 2009, at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta airport continues to be the busiest passenger airport in the world under DeCosta’s watch. More than 83.6 million passengers were served at the airport in 2004.

Lisa Borders

Atlanta City Council President; Cousins Properties Inc.Senior Vice President

Political newcomer Lisa Borders, 47, was elected to her post to complete Cathy Woolard’s term.

Borders backs two transportation projects being discussed for Atlanta: the Beltline and Peachtree Streetcar. And Borders has thrown her hat into the ring for re-election to the council presidency.

She is a senior vice president with Cousins Properties, where she handles business development, marketing, communications and community reinvestment. Previously, Borders spent 15 years in the health-care field.

Jimmy Carter

Former U.S. President; Former Georgia Governor; The Carter Center Founder; Nobel Peace Prize Winner, 2002

Jimmy Carter, 80, has continued to serve as an informal ambassador, focusing on human rights issues, among others. In May, he led a delegation to Ethiopia to monitor elections.

Recently, Carter has spoken out against the use of nuclear weapons programs ahead of the renewal of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, resigned from the Carter Center’s board of trustees in March, citing their interest in increasing the board’s role in guiding the center.

Carter signed into law in 1980 the Small Business Development Center Act. His hometown — Plains — called on The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center when it needed help in the early 1990s.

Jack Guynn

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President and CEO

Jack Guynn, 62, not only has his finger on the pulse of Atlanta’s economy but he was able to steer the 2004 United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta campaign past its goal.

The United Way campaign — with Guynn serving as chairman — raised $60,000 more than the $75.1 million goal set by the United Way.

Guynn is not a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee. But his insights into the economy are respected.

Guynn serves on the boards of trustees for Oglethorpe and Furman universities, the Georgia Tech Foundation and the board of councilors of the Carter Center. Guynn also is a member of the board of directors of Midtown Alliance and the Community Foundation and serves on the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce’s executive committee at-large.

Johnny Isakson

U.S. Senator

It was no surprise when Johnny Isakson, 60, won the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Zell Miller.

The Atlanta business community — including heavy hitters like BellSouth Corp.Georgia President Phil Jacobs andSunTrust Banks Inc.CEO Phillip Humann — threw their weight behind Isakson.

The freshman senator co-authored a provision with fellow U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss that was included in a national highway-funding bill approved by the Senate.

In May, Isakson was named to the Senate conference committee that will reconcile the House and Senate versions of the National Highway Funding Bill.

The House-passed version calls for $284 billion over six years, while the Senate version calls for $295 billion over six years.

Isakson sits on four Senate committees: environment and public works; health, education, labor and pensions; small business and entrepreneurship; and veterans affairs.

Isakson served 17 years in the Georgia General Assembly. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for three terms before his election to the Senate.

Karen C. Handel

Fulton County Commission Chairwoman

Handel was elected in November 2003 and has since spearheaded controversial decisions about her county.

Among the most heated issues she has grappled with has been Sandy Springs’ bid to become a city. The Fulton County Commission took the fight for Sandy Springs’ independence to the Feds — and lost.

Fulton County in April asked the Justice Department to block Sandy Springs’ formation as a city. Karen Handel, 42, and the other two Republicans on the commission support the Sandy Springs referendum.

Handel has said she recognizes the changes facing Fulton County with the incorporation and the precedent it may set for other parts of the county.

George M. Israel III

Georgia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO

George Israel, 56, has had plenty to celebrate following the 2005 session of the Georgia legislature. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association duked it out in a blitz of competing TV ads. The issue? Tort reform in Georgia.

The Georgia General Assembly took on the issue of “civil justice reform,” becoming the latest state to propose limits on civil lawsuits and malpractice awards. The state chamber backed Senate Bill 3.

Israel is a native of Macon and served as that city’s mayor from 1979-1987. He currently serves on the board of directors for YKK (USA) Inc.

Nathaniel P. Ford Sr.

MARTA General Manager

Nathaniel Ford, 44, is charged with managing the state’s largest transit system, which has faced financial challenges in recent years.

MARTA will implement a new electronic fare system — called Breeze — that will replace the current system of tokens or coins. Between the new cards and the installation of jump-proof fare gates, MARTA expects to recoup some of the $10 million it loses annually to stolen fares. Officials hope the Breeze cards will be used throughout the region. The new system will cost $190 million and is expected to be operational by early 2006.

The transit system cut 300 union workers in 2004 and faces contract negations with its union drivers, mechanics and street-level workers in 2005. The current union contract expires June 30. Approximately 3,000 MARTA employees are union.

The Georgia General Assembly passed legislation in March banning panhandling inside MARTA transit stations — a frequent complaint of passengers. But the legislature tabled a bill that would allow MARTA to use 55 percent of its sales tax money to pay some employees, fuel bills and other operating costs. MARTA has an $18 million deficit.

Beverly L. Hall

Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent

Beverly Hall, 57, has worked to improve the standing of her school system in the six years since she became superintendent.

Test scores are climbing, particularly among lower elementary grades. Hall has said she expects all of the schools in the system to meet or exceed their targets by the 2007-2008 school year. The 89 schools in the district continue to focus on Hall’s reform initiatives, which include four goals: improving student performance in reading/ English/language arts; improving student performance in math; increasing student enrollment in high-level courses and increasing student attendance.

Hall unveiled a new effort, APS 2007, in May during her annual State of the Schools in Atlanta speech. Schools are challenged to meet 70 percent of their academic targets each year.

Hall’s contract with the school board was extended three years by an 8-0 vote of the Atlanta school board in December.

Eric Johnson

Georgia Senate President Pro Tempore

State Sen. Eric Johnson, 51, introduced legislation signed by Gov. Sonny Perdue that aims to reduce frivolous lawsuits and lower health-care costs.

Johnson’s name is attached to nearly 100 pieces of proposed legislation from the most recent legislative session.

Senate bills include those that would affect real estate appraisers, a charter for the city of Sandy Springs and changing provisions for eminent domain.

Johnson was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1992 and the Senate in 1994, representing coastal Georgia’s 1st Senate District. He served as minority leader for two terms and became the first Republican president pro tem of the Senate in 130 years.

Johnson is a member of the Rules Committee and serves as secretary of the Appropriations Committee.

Vernon Jones

DeKalb County CEO

Vernon Jones, 44, has hinted at requiring that affordable housing be included in projects brought before the DeKalb County Commission.

And county officials have proposed placing impact fees on new construction.

He also has pushed for more green space and recently lent a hand kicking off the $1.6 million renovation of Dresden Park, near DeKalb Peachtree Airport.

During Jones’ nearly four years in office, he has been dogged by reports of abuses of power, as well as physical abuse.

A grand jury was convened to examine some of the allegations against Jones.

Jones is the only county CEO in the state, governing Georgia’s second-most-populous county.

Charles ‘Chick’ Krautler

Atlanta Regional Commission Director

Charles “Chick” Krautler, 58, and the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) continue to campaign for solutions to the traffic woes that plague metro Atlanta.

In March, the ARC — along with the State Road and Tollway Authority, and the boards of the state Department of Transportation and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority — agreed to the creation of the Congestion Mitigation Task Force. The purpose of the group is to determine a ranking for transportation projects, with an emphasis on projects that relieve congestion. The ARC has said it hopes the task force does not discount transit alternatives.

Each of the four organizations will appoint two members to the task force.

The ARC released a 25-year regional transportation plan that has met with regional and federal approval, although implementing it would cost $53 billion.

John Lewis

U.S. Representative, 5th Congressional District

U.S. Rep. John Lewis, 65, has focused his energies during the 109th Congress on loan-forgiveness programs for Head Start teachers, amending the Social Security Act and introducing tax subsidies to encourage small employers to offer affordable health insurance.

Lewis also has lobbied for federal funds to help build the Beltline, a rail project that would connect many Atlanta neighborhoods.

Well-known for his role in the civil rights movement, Lewis was elected to the Atlanta City Council in 1981. He was elected to Congress in 1986 and has represented Georgia’s 5th Congressional District since then.

Jim Lientz

State of Georgia Chief Operating Officer

The state’s first-ever chief operating officer, Jim Lientz, 61, manages the people aspect of state government, including staff development and developing career paths. All of the state’s department heads report to him.

Lientz stepped into the role in 2003. Previously, he worked for Bank of America, retiring as president of its mid-South division in 2000.

Lientz is a trustee and an executive committee member of the Georgia Tech Foundation, and a trustee of Rhodes College, The Lovett School and the Georgia Research Alliance.

He serves as chairman of the board of advisors of The Carter Center and is a board member of The Commerce Club. Lientz is a director of Georgia Power Co., Georgia Banking Co.and NDC Health.

Harold Linnenkohl

Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner

Harold Linnenkohl, 56, deals with the same traffic hassles and congestion as other drivers in the metro area. The Hiram resident, however, has a little more power to do something about it.

Linnenkohl oversees about 5,800 employees and has a budget of more than $2 billion. The DOT is tasked with managing transportation infra- structure — primarily state routes and portions of the federal interstate.

Projects in the works include a $40 million widening of Georgia 400 in north Fulton and south Forsyth counties, a $13.3 million boulevard that runs alongside some of downtown Atlanta’s most significant tourist attractions and improvements to the Interstate 75/Ga. 54 interchange in Clayton County.

The DOT also will be working with developer Wayne Mason and others on the Beltline project, a transit corridor that will connect many of Atlanta’s neighborhoods.

Craig Lesser

Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner

Gov. Sonny Perdue appointed Craig Lesser, 54, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development in July 2004.

Lesser is responsible for recruiting new businesses and expanding existing ones; growing the tourism, international trade and entertainment industries; and supporting the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs.

He already has undertaken a reorganization of his department, which has included several personnel changes and the creation of a marketing division and a global commerce division.

He is co-chairman of Hemisphere Inc., which is working to win the Free Trade Area of the Americas’ secretariat.

Before his appointment, Lesser was a partner with Griswold Lesser LLC, which provides counsel on public affairs issues to companies including Atlanta Gas Light Resources, BellSouth Corp. and Williams Environmental Services.

Zell Miller

Former U.S. Senator

Zell Miller, 73, left the U.S. Senate in 2004 but not without generating a little more controversy.

In September, Miller — a Democrat — delivered a fiery speech at the Republican National Convention, criticizing his party for being “motivated more by partisan politics than by national security.”

Miller was appointed in July 2000 to fill the Senate seat left empty by the death of Paul Coverdell, then won the special election in November of that year to finish out the term.

His political tenure extends back to 1961, when Miller was elected to the Georgia Senate. He was the state’s lieutenant governor from 1975-1991 and elected governor twice (1991-1999).

Sam Olens

Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairman

Although still a relative newcomer to metro Atlanta politics, Sam Olens, 47, has made a name for himself in less than three years of public service.

Olens was elected chairman of the Atlanta Regional Commission in December — only the second ARC chairman from Cobb County. Olens hopes the agency will gain strength as a regional organization able to influence state policy to the benefit of the area.

Gov. Sonny Perdue tapped Olens to serve as chairman of the Congestion Mitigation Task Force, which is charged with developing strategies and goals to reduce congestion in a cost-effective manner.

Perdue previously appointed Olens to represent the 6th Congressional District on Georgia’s Community Affairs Board. He also is vice chairman of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District and is a member of the board of directors of the Quality Growth Coalition.

Olens was re-elected to a four-year term as commission chairman that began in January.

Sunny K. Park

The White House Initiative on Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders Commissioner; Asian-American Commission for a New Georgia

Sunny K. Park, 63, founded the Good Neighboring Campaign, which aims to improve the image of Asian-Americans. Park is president of the Korea America Friendship Society of Atlanta and founded The Korean-American School of Atlanta.

Park is CEO of General Building Maintenance Inc.,Hapatech Cleanroom Services, Inc., and president of Global Sun Investments Inc.

Gov. Sonny Perdue appointed Park to the Georgia Ports Authority in July 2004.

Park was a 2004 presidential elector.

Richard Pennington

Atlanta Police Chief

Since taking over at the Atlanta Police Department in 2002, Richard Pennington has worked to apply the same success he experienced in New Orleans to Georgia’s capital city.

That work has begun to pay off. In March, the department received its first-ever national accreditation.

Pennington reorganized the department at the beginning of the year to fill some vacancies on his staff but also to bring new faces to different police zones in an effort to further reduce crime rates. During the nearly three years of Pennington’s tenure, the police department has grown by more than 200 officers — but remains about 300 short of the 2,000-employee goal.

In April, the city launched the second phase of a tracking and rescue program for use with Alzheimer’s patients.

Sonny Perdue

State of Georgia Governor

Citing concerns about violating personal freedoms, Gov. Sonny Perdue initially hinted that he might veto the bill authorizing a statewide smoking ban. But in the end, the governor did sign the bill — in support of the nonsmoking majority’s right to be protected from secondhand smoke. He also approved a $40 surcharge to health insurance premiums for all state employees who smoke.

Health-care issues have been a focus of the governor in the past year, who also has plugged the new Together Rx Access program, which offers discounted prices on commonly prescribed medicines. The private plan was launched in May.

Perdue, 58, also signed a law mandating a 24-hour wait before a woman can obtain an abortion. The law is the biggest change to Georgia’s abortion regulations since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion in 1973.

The Republican governor is backed by a General Assembly with a Republican majority, which seems to be in sync with Perdue’s political conservatism. And Perdue has had a hand in choosing the next justice on the Georgia Supreme Court, Harold Melton, who replaces the retired Chief Justice Norman Fletcher.

Glenn Richardson

Georgia House of Representatives Speaker of the House

Republicans have come a long way since Glenn Richardson, 44, was elected in 1996. At that time, he was the first Republican elected since Reconstruction to represent Paulding County in the Georgia House of Representatives.

The party secured control of the Georgia House in November — again, a first since Reconstruction. Richardson again made history by being elected the first Republican speaker in more than 130 years.

Richardson’s opponents have criticized him since taking over as speaker in January, claiming that he has curtailed debates in the House. His backers say that Richardson is keeping business apace in the House.

Richardson was a member of Georgia State University’s first law school class. Richardson is also the Paulding County attorney. Since 1987, he has been a partner at Vinson, Talley, Richardson & Cable P.A.

Mark Taylor

Georgia Lieutenant Governor

The state’s top elected Democrat is making a run for governor. Taylor, 48, is considered one of the top candidates from the party — the other being Secretary of State Cathy Cox.

In the past year, Taylor has fought for passage of a cybercrime bill that aims to protect children from Internet predators.

A native of Albany, Taylor became lieutenant governor in 1998. Prior to that, he served 11 years in the state Senate and was floor leader for then-Gov. Zell Miller.

Taylor serves as vice chairman of the OneGeorgia Authority, which manages a $1 billion state investment in the 71 poorest counties in Georgia.

Sam Zamarripa

Georgia State Senator, D-Atlanta

In February, Sen. Sam Zamarripa introduced legislation that would divide Fulton County — literally.

The proposal would create Milton and Atlanta counties by the north-south division of Fulton County and was designed to coincide with the pending cityhood of Sandy Springs.

Milton County would begin at the northern boundary of Atlanta and include all municipalities and areas in the north of what now is Fulton County. The new Atlanta County would incorporate the remaining municipalities and area in the southern portion of Fulton. Before it can happen, though, the bill requires voting on a statewide constitutional amendment, which would not happen until November 2006, at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the State Ethics Commission fined Zamarippa $3,000 in June 2004 for exceeding campaign donation limits.

Zamarripa, 52, was elected to the General Assembly in 2002, one of three Hispanic politicians elected that year. He is secretary of the Senate’s Economic Development Committee. He also serves on the advisory board of Hemisphere Inc., which promotes the Free Trade Area of the Americas, and is the founder of the Georgia China Alliance.

Hard Work, Determination, and Generosity Steer An Immigrant To Success

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:37:46 GMT

Arriving in the United States penniless and speaking broken English didn’t deter Sunny K. Park from pursuing the American Dream.

Listening to his boss and exceeding his expectations propelled Park from being a newly minted life insurance salesman to becoming CEO and founder of General Building Maintenance, Inc. and Hepatech Clean Room Services, Inc., President of Global Sun Investments, Inc., and founder of the Good Neighboring Foundation, Inc.

Park receives highest DAR honor

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:33:30 GMT

The Fort Peachtree Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented Dunwoody resident Sunny Park, CEO of General Building Maintenance, Inc., with the Americanism Award, one of the most prestigious honors awarded by the DAR, at its December meeting.

The DAR stipulates that the recipient “must be an adult who has demonstrated extraordinary qualities of leadership, trustworthiness, service qualities of leadership, trustworthiness,

service and patriotism, and must have actively assisted others to become American citizens, or displayed outstanding ability in community affairs, preferably with emphasis on the foreign-born community.”

Park, a Dunwoody resident, certainly exemplifies all these attributes.

A native of Seoul, Korea, and a veteran of the South Korea military, Park came to America in 1967, assisted by the efforts of Marine General Ray Davis, who was a native Georgian and Medal of Honor recipient for his valor during the Korean War. Park attended the Kellogg Business School at Northwest University and Indians University, and began his career by working as a janitor in an office park.

In 1983, Park founded General Building Maintenance, a commercial facility maintenance services organization now with offices in 16 cities across America. Clients include Walt Disney World, Texas Instruments, MCI, Cisco and the state of Florida. He later also became president of Global Sun Investments, Inc., a real estate investment firm, and the CEO of Hepatech Clean Room Services, Inc., a micro contamination service provider for semi-conductor manufacturers.

Park was the founder of the Good Neighboring Foundation, Inc., a movement for Asian Americans to participate in American community activities, and serves as a deacon at the Community Presbyterian Church in Tucker. He led the Federation of Korean Associations of the United States as chairman, and founded the Korean-American School of Atlanta.

He received the Patriot Award in 2002, and serves on the board of the Museum of Patriotism. He has been named “Small Business Person of the Year” by the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, “Entrepreneur of the Year” by National Women in Business, and “Outstanding Citizen” by the state of Georgia. In August of 2001 Park was appointed by President Bush as commissioner of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

“When I became a US citizen in 1985, I promised myself that I would be the best citizen this country ever had,” Park said. “General Davis will be in my heart forever. You can count me in on taking care of this great nation.”

Presenter Nancy Pratt Jordan of the DAR said, “The greatest honor I have ever had is presenting this award to you for all the wonderful work you have done.”

“It is indeed an honor,” said Park, “for myself, my family and for all immigrants to America. I believe that all employers, like myself, have an obligation to teach new immigrants the rules and culture of this country, and guide them as they adapt to our country. Otherwise, the immigrants just live like they did in their home country and never fully embrace America. Our future is optimistic.”

Lynn Brackey (L) and Nancy Pratt Jordan (R) present Sunny Park with the DAR Americanism Award.

48th Brigade Combat Team passes flag to Sunny Park

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:30:20 GMT

Sunny K. Park Earns Lifetime Achievement Honor For Youth Challenge Support, Encouragement

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:26:36 GMT

Atlanta businessman and Youth Challenge advocate Sunny K. Park was presented the National Guard Youth Challenge Lifetime Achievement Award during the National Guard Youth Challenge Program Annual Workshop 2007 held in Carefree, Ariz., in January. Park will again be recognized for this achievement on February 27, at the National Guard Youth Challenge Foundation “Champions” Dinner in Washington.

Park, a South Korean immigrant who moved to the United States in 1974, has become a highly successful Atlanta entrepreneur whose personal interests and generous support has been directed toward numerous youth and charitable programs.

Since first visiting the Georgia National Guard’s Youth Challenge campus at Fort Stewart in 2000,

Park has become one of the program’s strongest and most supportive advocates.

In an effort to expand the learning experience for thousands of Youth Challenge Academy cadets each year and to provide his own personal “up by your bootstraps” success formula, Park initiated and funded the Good Neighboring Campaign’s “Korea Day.” This unique educational program brings a group of native Koreans to Georgia’s YCA campuses to present the Korea’s culture including its history, the preparation of a traditional Korean meal and a demonstration of the ancient Korean martial art of Tae-Kwon-Do.

According to Park, “My initial goal is to introduce students to the culture of Korea and the work ethic I subscribe to. I then want to encourage them and show them how to achieve their own personal success.”

Park has presented his cultural program and home-spun success philosophy to literally hundreds of “at risk” YCA cadets around the country. For six years, he has presented his “Korea Day” program to the graduating classes of Georgia’s Youth Challenge Academy. He is now carrying his program to Youth Challenge academies in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Louisiana and Arizona.

“The easy way is not always the best way,” says the highly animated and charismatic Park who concludes each presentation with his own success mantra, ‘If Sunny Can – I Can.”

“For over six years, Mr. Park has generously, energetically and enthusiastically supported the Youth Challenge program throughout the nation, promoting its image with the public and providing unique educational opportunities to the cadets,” said Lt. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia’s Adjutant General.

From left: Chris Gardner, Office of the Secretary of Defense; Atlanta businessman Sunny Park; and Col. (Ret.) James R. Tinkham, director, NGB Youth Programs gathered in Carefree, Ariz., to present the Youth Challenge Lifetime Achievement Awards.

‘Good Neighboring Day’ ’07 brings Korean culture to Fort Gordon YCA cadets

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:23:04 GMT

“If Sunny can, I can,” was the theme of the morning lectures that Sunny Park, founder of the Good Neighboring Foundation, gave to more than 200 Youth Challenge Academy Cadets at Fort Gordon, near Augusta in mid-October.

The morning started with a brief history of the Good Neighboring Foundation, which was designed by Park to bring a day of Korean culture and encouragement to the cadets of the YCA programs all over the country.

Park began the program with a brief history of Korea and of himself, telling many stories about how he came to the United States and used the opportunity to become a successful businessman.

Success was the overall theme of the morning lectures from both Park and Karen Handel, Georgia’s Secretary of State.

“We all want to be a part of your success,” said Park. “I don’t waste my time and effort on anyone, you are worthwhile and we want to help you.

“Everything you need to be successful, you have,” said Park. “You have to know what you are doing, have a road map and know where you are going.”

Handel had similar advice for the cadets.

“Nobody is going to care about you unless you care about yourself,” she said. “Never let where you came from hold you back, but never forget where you came from.”

After Handel finished, the day’s entertainment began. A demonstration team from the Taegeukwon Taekwondo Academy of Augusta, performed. This team later spent an hour with the cadets teaching them the basics of the discipline of Taekwondo.

Before the taekwondo classes, the cadets were treated to a Korean style meal with Bul-gokee, marinated and charbroiled beef; goon-mandoo, a type of potato stick; chap-chae, potato noodles marinated in sesame seed and Korean sauce; and Kimchi, Korean cabbages and radishes salad with Korean Spice.

The Good neighboring Foundation was started in 1996 to help Korean immigrants learn American culture. It encouraged these immigrants to use Asian values and heritage for the betterment of their adoped country.

An exhibition of Taekwondo such as breaking a board with powerful kick (at right) impressed cadets.

Work hard, give back Park tells Rotarians

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:19:26 GMT

Immigrants might find coming to America easier if they followed the Sunny Park model. The native of South Korea and founder of the One Georgia Bank told Rome Rotarians that his arrival in Indianapolis in 1974 was a dream come true for his life. “I had high hopes, a good plan and very big dreams,” Park said.

Park, a member of the Berry College board of trustees, explained that his first task after arriving in the U.S. was to find a job and the second objective was to learn the American national anthem. “It’s hard,” Park told the club Thursday.

Park said he watched TV religiously to learn English. “Starsky and Hutch,” “Charlie’s Angels” and “All in the Family” were his favorites.

Korean American businessman Sunny Park detailed his path to success after moving to the United States 36 years ago. (Doug Walker, RN-T)

The Korean American businessman said he forced himself to be a patriotic first generation immigrant. “When you come to this country, you make that decision to make this country better,” Park said.

Today, Park is the CEO of General Building Maintenance, which provides a complete range of janitorial and handyman services to Fortune 500 companies in 18 major cities across the United States. Park said his company has more than 3,200 employees, and he called himself Chief Executive Janitor.

“Cleaning bathrooms is not something to be ashamed about. Working in a kitchen is not something to be ashamed about,” Park said. “I want them to be proud of what they are doing — manufacturing clean space every day.”

Park serves on 17 different nonprofit boards, including the Georgia Ports Authority. Park explained that the port at Savannah has become the number two port on the East Coast and is responsible for more than 284,000 jobs.

Park said that as a result of a recent trip to China, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Korea, that at least two more huge container ships would be calling on the Savannah port regularly.

Park was also involved in the effort to bring South Korean automaker Kia to West Point. “Other Asian countries are looking at why Kia came to Georgia,” Park said. “We promote Georgia’s quality education and work ethic and they love it.”

Park divided his life into three stages: the first 30 years as a young man, the next 30 years making money and his next 30 years, “I got to stop making money and start sharing money,” he said.

Among the ways he shares his good fortune is sponsorship of Korean students who are studying at Berry College.

Immigrants need to show patriotism

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:15:15 GMT

I am not an “Anglo-Protestant” but a patriotic American from South Korea, and I disagree with Joe Rodriguez’s column

(“Immigration now cultural issue,” @issue, March 30).

I believe immigrants in this country need to stop and think what we cando for the United States, rather than our former countries. America is a land of opportunity — but for those who put America first, not for anyone deteriorating the core value.

I urge immigrants to be more patriotic for the United States, as we will be a majority of the nation by 2050. If not, America can no longer be the land of opportunity but become a country like where we came from.

SUNNY K. PARK, Atlanta

Chinese work ethic outdoes Americans

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:13:17 GMT

Your editorial on the first business day of 2005 is a disappointment (“Chinese new year,” Jan. 3).

I am frustrated by the loser’s attitude I see among young, healthy Americans. Attitude is an effective strength China has over us. The Chinese work many more hours than Americans, who play many more hours than the Chinese.

Our trade deficit will never be fixed until all Americans start working as many or more hours than the Chinese. I fear we may have to read the same editorial every year.

SUNNY K. PARK, Atlanta

Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico: Whose Issue Is It?

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:11:15 GMT

On December 7, 2007, an oil tanker collided with a barge in the Yellow Sea of South Korea, causing oil to spill and contaminating South Korea’s west coast. This accident severely affected the fishermen who make their living there, as well as the area’s ecosystem.

The Korean American community was shocked to the news, began raising money to help Korean victims. The Korean Americans in New York raised relief funds and collected $12,450. The Korean Americans in Southern California area made a visit to the damaged area in Korea and worked hands-on to strip oil off the coast and delivered relief funds totaling $20,000. Korean Americans from most of major U. S. cities voluntarily set up temporary fund-raising task forces. Korean Americans felt personally affected by this oil spill in Korea.

On April 20, 2010, an oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico; oil has been spilling out continuously ever since—200,000 gallons a day from the bottom of the sea, spreading out and contaminating the Gulf of Mexico. Nearby states declared states of emergency as spilled oil approached the coast of each state. More than 2,000 officials from 16 federal agencies, 5,000 National Guardsmen, airplanes and 300 ships have worked together to try to keep the oil from spreading. The Washington Post reported on May 2 that the shrimp caught in the gulf already smell of diesel.

Both Korea and the United States experienced oil spill disasters. The difference is where they happened. This time, the disaster occurred in the United States, where we and our children live—not in Korea, where we used to live.

Reportedly, this disaster will disrupt a significant source of fish, and the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico could end up covered in black oil. Reuters reported that the cost of the damage is expected to reach $14 billion. The damages to the fishery and hospitality industries are enormous.

News of this oil spill makes me want to ask my fellow Korean Americans—those who intend to make the U.S. their permanent residence—the following question: “Does this oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico trouble you as much as the one did in Korea a few years ago?”

If your honest answer is, “No, it doesn’t,” I’d like to ask, “Why not?”

The answer is probably that you see the Gulf of Mexico oil spill as someone else’s issue, but the oil spill off South Korea is your issue.

Generally speaking, for Korean Americans, news from Korea hits them in their hearts, but U.S. news only hits them in their eyes and ears. As long as Korean Americans continue to feel that the problems of the U.S. are someone else’s problems, we should expect the same treatment if tragedy befalls us. If a disaster happens in a Korean American community, why should we expect mainstream American to care if we don’t exhibit the same care about what happens in mainstream America? This is a potential disaster for Korean Americans. We are planting our roots and the roots for our children in this country. We need to act and react accordingly.

When we begin to feel America’s pain along with other Americans, then we’re laying the foundation for proper relations within U.S. society. Without a foundation, we can’t expect to build walls and a roof either.

Am I naïve to expect that Korean Americans should have at least the same feelings and react with at least the same desire to help those around the Gulf of Mexico as they did when the oil spill happened in Korea?

Sunny Park, Director General, Good Neighboring Foundation

Sunny Park – Donor and former Board of Directors member

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:11:06 GMT

“My goal is to be an American giver. Not a taker, a giver. That’s what I see as the true American ideal. The Community Foundation helps me effectively participate in that.”

Sunny Park epitomizes the American Dream, living out the great American immigrant story of vision, determination, opportunity and hard work. Significantly, his first experience of philanthropy played a role in launching the life he has created for himself.

“I was a child in Korea during the Korean War. We had nothing, but we still went to school. The only pencil I had was so short that I couldn’t hold it; I had to tie it to a stick to be able to use it. We had no paper, so we would write between the printed columns on old newspapers. That is how we studied. Then, all of a sudden, one day I got a dozen new pencils. Not just one—a dozen. And a notebook of paper was on my desk. We were all so excited. We started using these things without even asking where they came from. Years later, when I was a teenager, I learned it was American people who had sent those pencils and notebooks. I thought, ‘Wow! There are some people in this world who have enough that they can give to others. Good people. Generous people.’ And that’s how I first came up with my idea of being an American giver.”

That dream eventually led Park to this country where he grew into a successful entrepreneur. At that point, Park says, “I realized I had more than most people have. It was time to become a giver. I knew all the many reasons for doing this—from helping people to tax incentives!—but I didn’t know how to go about it.”

“One of my best friends was working with The Community Foundation and he urged me to set up a donor-advised fund. I did and I was so glad! It let me have the engagement like a private foundation without all the hassle. The Community Foundation was a great vehicle for me to use since I wasn’t sure how to go about helping others through my giving, but I knew I wanted to focus strongly on education.”

Park uses the adage, “Give someone a fish and they eat for a day; teach someone to fish and they eat for a lifetime,” to explain his philanthropic philosophy. “Most of my contributions are focused on education because I don’t believe in giving fish. There are lots of fish to catch and I want to teach people to fish. I will even give people fishing poles. But I have to know that the organizations I support will not just give fish. To me, the most valuable area where a young person can focus is on his or her education. That is the true path to success.”

“In business and in philanthropy, I want to be sure my money is spent well.” Having served on The Community Foundation’s Board, Park knows the organization’s expertise at careful and objective evaluation of charities. “It is not always easy to find out where your money goes. But The Community Foundation spends so much effort on evaluating all sorts of organizations that I know I can rely on their report. I trust it.”

“One thing I’m doing through The Community Foundation is helping Iraqi children. I send school supplies. I want them to have good supplies. They may not know who sent their new pencils. They may not know who sent their new paper or crayons. But I hope that some day, they’ll be able to become givers, too.”

Philanthropic passion starts with individual life experience. It’s about what has shaped you as a person and what continues to stay with you throughout the years. Whether it’s about providing leadership as a Board member or financial support as a donor, philanthropists are driven by a passion to change and improve the world around them.

The community foundation of greater Atlanta 2007 annual report page sixteen

Never is heard a discouraging word – Immigrant eager to inspire others

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:10:54 GMT

Sunny K. Park is on a roll.

How many people want to be a millionaire, he asks, as a roomful of hands shoot up. Then he holds up a roll of toilet paper.

When his children were younger, he said, they used a lot of toilet paper at one time. He admonished them that at this rate, they would never save any money. He dramatically rips off one sheet and holds it up.

“I told them, you only need this much,” he said. “But because I love you, I’ll be a nice guy and let you use two sheets.” Laughter ripples through the room.

Is this guy for real?

“I came to this country with no money, no language skills and no bank account,” he said. “But I made it. You can, too. I didn’t get up at 4:30 this morning to drive here and tell you a lie. The only reason I’m here is because I love you, and I care about your future.”

It is vintage Park, the 63-year-old businessman and founder of the Good Neighboring Foundation, a nonprofit organization formed in 1996 to encourage immigrants — especially Asian-Americans — to become active outside their communities.

Today, he is at Fort Gordon near Augusta, where his audience is at-risk youths enrolled in the Georgia National Guard’s Youth Challenge Academy. The participants are high school dropouts, and until they entered this highly structured program, most had few, if any, prospects for a bright future.

Park, who emigrated from South Korea in 1974, has come to tell them that if he can succeed as a businessman and community leader, they can achieve their dreams, too.

Park has visited cadets at the academy at Fort Stewart since 1998 but started his “If Sunny Can, You Can” road show in 2000. He’s been to YCA programs in Georgia, Arizona, Virginia, New Jersey and New York. Soon, he hopes to add Michigan. Teens learn about Korea, see a Tae Kwan Do demonstration and taste Korean foods like kimchi. Each time, Park tries to involve the local Korean community.

Park sees it as a way to give back to the United States, where he came to “build my American dream.” After being sworn in as naturalized citizen in 1986, he vowed to become the “best citizen this country ever had.”

His dream began in Seoul after the Korean War. Park was the only child of a low-level bank employee and a homemaker. South Korea was far different that the economically and culturally strong nation it is today.

“There was limited freedom,” he said. “I didn’t like it. You had to come from a good family background to establish yourself there, and I didn’t have those credentials.”

Park, a self-described brat, ran away from home at 14 to “test myself.” He went to one of Seoul’s many markets and begged a vendor to let him work for free in return for room and board and to have time off to go to school.

In 1974, he moved to the United States, first to Indiana where he enrolled in Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, and later to Atlanta.

Park became a community leader by accident. One day he was unloading furniture from a moving van when he was approached by another Korean man, who asked if he spoke English. The man then asked Park to help resolve a dispute at a local car dealership.

“That morning I became sort of a social worker,” he said. Word spread in the community and soon Park’s phone was ringing off the hook with pleas for help.

Eventually, he decided to start a cleaning service and employ some of the many people who were calling him for help.

One of his first jobs was at an office park on Presidential Parkway, where a job called for four people. He showed up with 21. “I had all 21 people in that small place,” he said.

Park now runs a real estate business, a high-tech cleaning service and his main business, General Building Maintenance Inc. Together, the companies employ more than 3,200 people in several states.

By the time Pin Pin Chau, CEO of the Summit National Bank, met Park 13 years ago, he had already made his mark in Atlanta.

“One thing that strikes me about Sunny is that he loves his culture yet he loves his adopted country,” the Hong Kong-born Chau said. “I remember one time coming out of some board meeting together. He looked at me and removed his lapel pin of the American flag and pinned it on me. He said ‘Pin Pin, you need to show your patriotism.’ “

Park certainly has. He is a member of the board of the National Museum of Patriotism in Midtown and once served on a President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

But Jenny Hwang, a reporter for The Korea Times newspaper, said while Park is a fixture in the local Korean community, his ideas haven’t always been welcomed.

“Some people just misunderstand him,” she said. “He has a more American viewpoint, he’s Christian and he’s a Republican and he loves America. Some people don’t like that. Personally, I agree with that. He’s always saying that Korean immigrants have to be good friends and good neighbors to the Americans because we decided to live here. Some people think it’s just too much.”

Unpopular decision

The biggest rift was in 2002, when Park publicly supported Sgt. Mark Walker of Acworth, whose vehicle struck and killed two 13-year-old Korean girls walking along a narrow country road. The incident sparked anti-American protests in Seoul. Park, who helped raise money for Walker’s defense, was called a Judas and said he received more than 2,000 hate e-mails.

Walker could not be reached, but his sister, Lynn Samples, said the family appreciated Park’s help. “Sunny has to be one of the most honorable men I’ve ever met,” said Samples.

Park has also worked to build bridges between blacks and Koreans.

Several years ago, Park and the Rev. Gerald L. Durley, former president of Concerned Black Clergy of Metropolitan Atlanta and senior pastor of Providence Missionary Baptist Church, tried to start a mentoring program for Korean business owners and prospective African-American entrepreneurs. Part of the goal was to bring the two communities together after years of animosity and distrust. But it never got off the ground. The reason, said Durley, is that they both got busy doing other things.

Durley emphasized that he has high regard for Park. “I’d be willing to sit down with Sunny at the drop of a hat,” he said. ‘He has the enthusiasm and zeal to do anything.”

That enthusiasm is what prompted Park to wake up one recent Tuesday and drive to Fort Gordon to serve as a mentor to more than 100 youths.

“I feel so good about these kids,” said Park, as he donned a black baseball cap and climbed to the top of a platform to watch a local marital arts team demonstrate Tae Kwan Do. “These are smart kids, they just didn’t have the opportunity.”

Siera Winfrey, 18, of Augusta, said she was impressed by Park’s commitment to help. “This was really an experience for me,” said Winfrey. “I’ve never been around Korean people. He was telling us about being successful in life and how to be a millionaire.”

But one sheet of toilet paper? “No.”

A fusion of hopes for Korea – Nuclear agreement rivets Koreans in metro Atlanta

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:10:32 GMT

Sunny K. Park is on a roll.

The Rev. James Chongho Kim may reap an additional benefit from a landmark agreement with North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons program.

Perhaps he won’t be that “Yankee” anymore.

“We’re sandwiched between Korea and America,” said Kim, the 48-year-old pastor of the Korean Church of Atlanta, United Methodist Church, in Duluth. “Korea is our motherland, America is our fatherland. You don’t want to see your mother and father fighting.”

Kim’s father was born in North Korea and was the only one of six siblings to escape to the South. Kim still has relatives living in the Communist North and for that reason, he wants to see peace in the region.

Like many Koreans in metro Atlanta, particularly older immigrants, Kim has followed closely the developments in Asia involving North Korea, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea and the United States.

Last week, in six-party talks in Beijing, North Korea agreed to shelve its nuclear weapons program in exchange for economic aid, enhanced diplomatic recognition, security guarantees and the possibility of receiving help to build a nuclear reactor to generate electricity.

While much of the language in the diplomatic agreement is vague, Kim has hope for the talks, which are set to resume in November.

“This very significantly eases the tension,” said Kim, who recently returned from a Methodist relief conference in both South and North Korea. “If it hadn’t gone well, it could have caused anti-Americanism to rise up.”

Most Korean Americans oppose North Korea’s Communist government but have sympathy for the people — some are distant family members separated for decades by war and geography. Perhaps no issue is greater in the Korean American community than peace, even reunification, said Han S. Park, director of the Center for the Study of Global Issues at the University of Georgia.

According to census figures, nearly 30,000 people of Korean ancestry live in metro Atlanta, although community leaders put that figure much higher.

Sang Shim, managing editor of the weekly Korean Journal in Doraville, said his office has received about 200 calls from readers.

“The Korean community is in favor of the agreement,” said Shim, who was born in Seoul, South Korea, and immigrated to the United States two years ago. “They see this as a positive step.”

Shim and others, however, warn that North Korea has promised before to abandon its nuclear program, only to restart it.

In a 1994 agreement brokered by former President Jimmy Carter, Pyongyang agreed to abandon nuclear weapons development and allow verification by inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency. As part of the pact, North Korea was to receive two light water nuclear reactors to produce electricity.

President Bush suspended talks with North Korea in 2001 pending a policy review. North Korea claimed the United States had not met its commitments in the 1994 agreement.

By 2002, Pyongyang had thrown out the inspectors, and U.S. officials were claiming North Korea had resumed pursuing nuclear weapons.

So it was with wariness that Shim and others watched the rhetoric coming from Pyongyang in the days after the most recent agreement.

When North Korea asked for the power plants as a first condition of the deal, many local Koreans felt justified in their skepticism about the disarmament promises.

“Most people really want to believe it, but they don’t,” said Gwinnett businessman Sunny Park, founder of the Good Neighboring Foundation Inc., which helps immigrants become a part of the American community. “North Korea has lost its credibility.”

Experts say the agreement represents a positive step but they stop short of labeling it a final pact.

The United States and other nations worry that if North Korea continues to build its nuclear program, it will further destabilize the region.

“I wasn’t excited,” said Park, who is also the founder of Uniting Families, a nonprofit group that helps to unite North Korean and South Korean families separated during the Cold War.

Park criticized the vagueness of the document but understood the reasons.

“All the parties, especially the United States and North Korea, desperately needed to go home with some accomplishment on the diplomatic front. They agreed to basically disagree and to avoid sensitive matters and postpone them for future meetings. None of the important matters were settled.”

Among the unresolved issues: how to monitor North Korea’s uranium enrichment program and when the economic aid will begin.

John E. Endicott, a professor at Georgia Tech’s Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, said the pact is “on the right track.”

“It’s going to take a lot more very serious negotiations because obviously the American side and the Korean side have very different views as to the meaning of some of the words and phases.”

While the situation remains tense, “it’s very much improved,” Endicott said.

Former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young said he expects North Korea will be careful in its negotiations. China is applying some pressure because it wants to stabilize the region, and North Korea needs the economic aid promised in the pact.

“They will put aside some of their bluster and start acting like they have some sense,” Young said. “They’re not crazy, but they play crazy to get some attention.”

Highlights of the agreement issued by six nations participating in the North Korean nuclear talks:
U.S. promise
The United States declares it has no nuclear arms on the Korean peninsula and no intention to attack or invade North Korea.
Mutual respect
North Korea and the United States pledge to respect each other’s sovereignty, coexist peacefully and work to normalize relations.
Energy assistance
China, Russia, South Korea, Japan and the United States to give North Korea energy assistance, including electricity from South Korea.
No-nuclear promise
South Korea reaffirms it won’t deploy nuclear weapons and affirms it has none on its territory.
Weapons agreement
North Korea to give up nuclear weapons and nuclear programs, return at an early date to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and submit to International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards
Work on ties
North Korea and Japan agree to work to normalize ties.
— Associated Press