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Honoring the life and legacy of Samuel Tin-sing Mok for his exemplary and outstanding service to the United States as a trailblazing military officer, statesman, public servant, and entrepreneur.
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WHEREAS, The Honorable Tin-sing Mok was born in Shanghai, China in 1944 to parents Kwok and Cora Mok; and
WHEREAS, Known for his high-level service in the federal government and national politics, Mok is considered a longtime leader and pioneer in the Asian Pacific American community having organized numerous political advocacy events for Asian Pacific diasporas and through fostering positive Sino-American relations for decades; and
WHEREAS, Mok spent his early years in Hong Kong where he attended and graduated from La Salle College, a private all-boys Jesuit school; and
WHEREAS, In 1963, Mok moved with his family to New York, where he studied accounting and joined ROTC at Fordham University; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduating college, Mok began his private sector career as an auditor with Main & Hurdman (now KPMG) and as a Senior Auditor with Parnell Kerr & Foster; and
WHEREAS, Shortly after, he was called to service in the U.S. Army where he served in the 7th Psychological Operations Group in Toyoko and Okinawa, Japan, as a commissioned officer. His responsibilities included overseeing military intelligence reporting and analysis on China, Vietnam and North Korea; and
WHEREAS, Mok later completed his service as a Captain in Army Region 1 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; and
WHEREAS, Upon his Army commission resignation, Mok became the Director of Accounting at Time-Life Books followed by assuming his role as the first Controller and Corporate Treasurer of U.S. News & World Report; and
WHEREAS, He decided to re-enter public service by joining the U.S. Department of State as a Senior Foreign Service officer in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs; and
WHEREAS, Mok then joined the senior management team of the Department of the Treasury where he was appointed by President George H.W. Bush as the Treasury’s first Chief Financial Officer; and
WHERAS, He was also appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate to serve as the Chief Financial Officer of the U.S. Department of Labor; and
WHEREAS, Mok then established his own consulting firm, Condor Consulting, which he first established in collaboration with retired U.S. Senator Birch Bayh. In this role, he provided strategic business information and facilitated the development of critical relationships between his clients and senior Asian embassy officials in Washington D.C.; and
WHEREAS, Mok was also frequently called upon to advise Asia-based clients on U.S. market entrance and business partnership strategies; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Mok remained committed to ensuring the success of the Asian Pacific American community as a whole by founding the D.C. Chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans, the Federal Asian Pacific American Council, and becoming the first Asian American president of the Association of Government Accountants; and
WHEREAS, Mok also went on to serve on countless boards and councils, including an appointment by President George H.W. Bush to serve on the National Advisory Council on Public Service; and
WHEREAS, He was also proud of his work with the National China Garden Foundation in support of peaceful relations; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, Mok was the recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his service to the United States and outstanding community service; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Samuel Tin-sing Mok passed away on September 21, 2022 at the age of 77 and was buried with a military guard in attendance and military honors at Columbia Memorial Park; and
WHEREAS, Samuel Tin-sing Mok is a revered national figure whose trailblazing legacy of service, mentorship, valor, and leadership will live on for years to come and inspire future generations of public servants; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors the life and legacy of Samuel Tin-sing Mok for his exemplary and outstanding service to the United States as a trailblazing military officer, statesman, public servant, and entrepreneur.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Samuel Tin-sing Mok, further evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.
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