Tales of Poverty and Public Service

One immigrant’s journey through Long Hair,
Mushu Pork, Height, Soccer Coaching, Elections,
and other important lessons along the way

1957년 서울 생. 1974년 고등학교 1학년을 마친 후 미국으로 이민, 1977년 T.C. Williams Senior 고등학교, 1981년 하버드 대학을 졸업하였다. 1979년부터 1980년까지 국립대만사범대학부속 國語中心 수학하였고 1984년에 윌리엄 앤 메리 로스쿨을 졸업했다. 문·박 합동법률 사무소 대표 변호사로 버지니아 주, 메릴랜드 주, 워싱톤 디씨 변호사 자격을 소지하였다. 페어팩스 카운티 5선 교육위원: 민선 광역위원 (2004-2019), 민선 브래덕지구 교육위원 (1996-1999), 임명직 광역교육위원 (1995.7-1995.12), 페어팩스 카운티 교육위원회 의장 (2006, 2012-2014), 부의장 (2005, 2011-2012, 2018-2019), 페어팩스 카운티 광역 기획위원 (2000-2003), 페어팩스 카운티 경찰국장 다인종카운슬 집행위원회 멤버, 에난데일 로타리 클럽 멤버 (1998-현재), 북버지니아 몬테소리 스쿨 이사 (1994-1995), American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras 이사 (2000-2010), 버지니아 주지사 도시정책 태스크포스 (2007-2009), 전 멤버: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Fairfax County; Fairfax-Falls Church Regional Council, United Way; Virginia State Advisory Committee, U.S. Civil Rights Commission 등을 역임했다.

This is a lovely book. Ilryong has had a remarkable life, from his early years desperately poor in Korea to his teenage immigrant years learning American English and culture, through to his 20 years of invaluable service on the school board of one of the nation’s largest school divisions. His gift for storytelling enables him to share his experiences and reflections beautifully here. He writes with humility, humor, and a gentle appreciation of the good in others. A joy to read!
Anne B. Holton, Professor and Former Interim President, George Mason University, and Former Virginia Secretary of Education

Of all the students I have had in my 45 years of teaching, none stands out more than Ilryong Moon. He asked for more vocabulary words than what I had been assigning the class and came up every day after school to have me read forty new words into his tape recorder. His story is the American story of hard work. His journey is an object lesson for all parents and students that grit, determination, and persistence in the face of challenges are the keys to success in school and beyond.
Patrick Welsh, his essays on education and youth culture have appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times and USA Today

Immigrants to the United States often struggle with huge handicaps: a lack of English skills, an education deficit, and unfamiliarity with American customs and institutions. The determination to overcome those obstacles often puts them on a path to extraordinary achievements. Few immigrant stories illustrate that pattern as well as Ilryong Moon’s. ‘Hamburger Coke’ reminds us why our history as a land of immigrants helps explain American greatness. This is an inspiring tale.
Tom Gjelten, Author, A Nation of Nations: A Great American Immigration Story

In this modern-day Horatio Alger account that transcends global borders, Ilryong Moon presents captivating and amusing vignettes from his trailblazing life as an immigrant to the United States. Embarking on a unique trans-Pacific journey, Moon recounts how he overcame abject poverty in South Korea to attend Harvard University, become the first Korean-American elected to public office on the East Coast, and chair the school board of America’s 10th largest school system.
Ryan McElveen, Former Member At Large, Fairfax County School Board