[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 21, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1613]]



                 RECOGNIZING THE HMONG YOUTH FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 20, 1999

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Hmong 
Youth Foundation's Third Annual Summer Festival. This Festival provides 
Hmong youth, many of whom are challenged with language barriers, with 
opportunities to engage in fun and educational activities.
  The Foundation was organized to give Hmong students a place to 
congregate as colleagues, who share common fears, hopes and goals. The 
primary objective is to give students opportunities to excel in 
academic pursuits and to award scholarships. Many of the students come 
from economically disadvantaged families due, in part, to the fact that 
a majority of Hmong adults are unable to speak English. The result is 
that many Hmong adults are unable to hold higher paying jobs.
  Hmong youth are constantly challenged with difficulties of social 
assimilation, lost opportunities, and juvenile crime temptations. The 
Hmong Youth Foundation seeks to give every Hmong child the opportunity 
to succeed and overcome obstacles. The Foundation pursue these goals 
through every avenue available including collaborations with other 
Hmong and Southeast Asian refugee self-help organizations, as well as 
non-Asian agencies. Response to the Foundation has been very positive, 
as it is providing a service to the Hmong community that no other 
agency offers.
  Hmong students in Fresno County have excelled in academic excellence 
and have received many accolades. Among them are annual Hmong 
valedictorians in the Fresno and Clovis Unified School Districts. The 
Hmong Youth Foundation's intent is to help as many students as possible 
so that even greater success will follow.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Hmong Youth Foundation for its 
service to the community. I urge my colleagues to join me in wishing 
the Foundation many more years of continued success.

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