HR 602: Yi, Hyong Kun "Sam"; trailblazing and extraordinary contributions to Georgia's jazz community; commend

This resolution is a ceremonial tribute passed by the Georgia House of Representatives to commend Hyong Kun "Sam" Yi, who died on February 3, 2025, for his role in building Atlanta's jazz community. Yi immigrated from South Korea as a child, settled in Georgia in 1987, and in 1997 opened Churchill Grounds, a jazz club in the historic Fox Theatre building that became a major venue for both famous and up-and-coming musicians until it closed in 2016. The resolution also notes his later efforts organizing jazz events at other venues in Decatur and East Atlanta. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally expresses the House's regret at Yi's passing and directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to his family.

• Formally commends Hyong Kun "Sam" Yi posthumously for his contributions to Georgia's jazz community.
• Expresses the House of Representatives' sincere regret over Yi's death on February 3, 2025.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to Yi's family.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory change; it is a symbolic honor.

The resolution directly names Sam Yi's surviving family, including his wife, mother, sister, nieces, and nephews, who will receive the commemorative copy. It also reflects on Atlanta's broader jazz community, including musicians and venues connected to Churchill Grounds.

The resolution has no legal or financial effect on Georgians generally. Its practical significance is limited to publicly recognizing a private citizen's cultural contributions and providing his family with an official memorial document from the state legislature.

• The resolution's whereas clauses recount Sam Yi's biography, his founding of Churchill Grounds in 1997, and its expansion in 2003 to include The Whisper Room stage.
• The resolved clause commends Yi posthumously and expresses the House's regret at his passing.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute a copy of the resolution to Yi's family.

1. 2025-03-13House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-03-13House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-13House Hopper (House)

• Omari Crawford (D, HD-89)Primary sponsor
• Long Tran (D, HD-80)
• Michelle Au (D, HD-50)
• Sam Park (D, HD-107)
• Soo Hong (R, HD-103)

• jazz community
• Atlanta history
• commemorative resolution
• Georgia House of Representatives