Honourable senators, I am honoured to pay tribute to a respected member of the Greater Toronto region and a national Korean-Canadian leader, the late Jin Soo (Steven) Lee.

I had the privilege of knowing Mr. Lee for more than a decade. From the time I first met Mr. Lee it was clear that he was a man of integrity and humility, a true servant leader.

He graduated from the Korea Military Academy in 1971 and served as an officer in the army until 1981. He was medically discharged as a first lieutenant after a land mine accident which caused a serious leg injury.

In 1983, Mr. Lee immigrated to Canada where the next chapter of his journey began. For 10 years, he worked as a stock market security analyst at IBM Canada. In 2006, Mr. Lee served as president of Korean Veterans Association eastern chapter. For nearly two decades, he continued to play an active leadership role in the Toronto Korean-Canadian community as well as within the national community.

Mr. Lee served as the thirty-second, thirty-third and thirty-sixth President of the Korean Canadian Cultural Association, or KCCA, of Metropolitan Toronto. As president, he successfully ran a fundraising program to renovate the KCCA cultural centre to provide easier access and programs to the community. He believed in the strength of community ties and the importance of culture and educating the future generations to become themselves future leaders of tomorrow.

Mr. Lee also published 50 Years History of Korean Canadians, which highlighted the Korean immigrant history through dynamic stories of economic, social, arts and cultural significance. His story, like many others, contributes to the beautiful mosaic and colourful fabric of Canadian society.

This past year, Mr. Lee, as president of KCCA, representing the largest Korean community in Canada, was faced with new challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, he remained a pillar of strength for so many people. He successfully operated a Good Morning Campaign and Good Morning seniors with support of provincial- and federal-level grants to help vulnerable communities with food bank donations, PPE supplies and virtual programs during the pandemic.

Above all, he was a loving husband to Ok Jin Lee; devoted father to Sam Sang Yup Lee and Ellen Inshil Lee; and proud grandfather to Edward, Michelle, Alex and Evan. To his family and friends, please know that you are in my prayers. Although he is no longer with us, Mr. Lee’s legacy will live on in the lives of all those he touched.

Honourable senators, please join me in paying tribute to the late Jin Soo (Steven) Lee. May he rest forever in peace.