LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Trung Truong, distinguished
restaurateur and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
individuals of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Trung (Tom) Truong of Johnson City, New York, died on Friday,
February 5, 2010, at the age of 62; and
WHEREAS, A member of St. James Church in Johnson City, Trung Truong
led his family's escape from their native country of Vietnam in 1978;
seeking a better life, they arrived in the United States as refugees,
and were sponsored by the generous community of St. Margaret Mary's
Church in Apalachin, New York; and
WHEREAS, The parish provided his family with the opportunity they
sought; through years of careful saving and planning, Trung Truong was
able to purchase a piece of commercial property at 29 Willow Street,
Johnson City; subsequently, he and his family opened the doors to the
Mekong Vietnamese Restaurant in 1993, after Trung worked for more than a
decade at General Electric; and
WHEREAS, For 17 wonderful years, the Mekong Vietnamese Restaurant was
the place where Trung Truong's children learned valuable life lessons,
where neighborhood strangers became friends, and where family memories
were made; and
WHEREAS, The Mekong Vietnamese Restaurant was not merely his property,
it was his "American Dream" realized; those who knew Trung understood he
didn't measure success or happiness through material wealth, but rather
by the amount of time spent with his friends, patrons, and most impor-
tantly, his beloved family; and
WHEREAS, Trung Truong is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Hong
(Rose); sons, Thanh, Thong, Thuan, and Thanh; daughters, Thao Codispoti,
and Thuy (Theresa); son-in-law, Robert Codispoti; daughter-in-law, Jeb
Truong; grandchildren, Robbie, Cassidie, and Melia; and his brothers and
sisters, Ton Truong and Hong Tran, Phien Truong, Phung Truong and Thang
Le, Huong Truong and Giang Dang, Anh To; as well as many nieces, nephews
and the family dog, Tobie; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Trung Truong leaves behind
a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a
comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Trung Truong, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Trung Truong.