[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 108 (Wednesday, July 28, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1671]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING THE HMONG YOUTH FOUNDATION

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                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 27, 1999

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Hmong 
Youth Foundation's Fourth Annual Summer Festival. This Festival is a 
successful answer in an effort to provide 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 Youth a place where 
students can congregate as colleagues holding common fears, hopes and 
goals. The primary objective is to give students opportunities to excel 
in academic pursuits and to award scholarships. Before awarding 
scholarships, a strong after school infrastructure must be developed to 
provide a learning center and good environment. Many of the students 
come from economically disadvantaged families due 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 due to the difficulties of 
social assimilation, lost opportunities and juvenile crime temptations. 
The Hmong Youth Foundation seeks to give every child the opportunity to 
succeed and overcome negative obstacles. The Foundation pursues every 
avenue available through collaboration with other Hmong and Southeast 
refugee self-help organizations, as well as non-Asian agencies. The 
response has been very positive, as the Foundation does not duplicate 
any existing service provider's intent.
  Hmong students in Fresno County have excelled in academic excellence 
and thus, 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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