For Public Audiences

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/

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.

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)

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

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!

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

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

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? 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. Sunny Park, Director General, Good Neighboring Foundation