[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 58 (Thursday, May 11, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING 
    VIETNAMESE-AMERICANS AND OTHERS WHO SEEK TO IMPROVE SOCIAL AND 
                    POLITICAL CONDITIONS IN VIETNAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2000

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, today I introduce this House 
Concurrent Resolution which expresses the sense of Congress regarding 
Vietnamese-Americans and others who seek to improve social and 
political conditions in Vietnam.
  This year marks the 25th anniversary of the fall of Saigon to 
Communist forces. The current Socialist Republic of Vietnam continues 
under an oppressive Communist regime that limits and denies its 
citizens fundamental rights, such as the right to free speech, the 
right to religious worship, and the right to associate with others who 
do not agree with the government. During the past 25 years, many 
people, including Vietnamese-Americans have participated in peaceful 
protests, freedom rallies, candlelight vigils, hunger strikes, and 
other demonstrations to bring awareness and attention to the social and 
political situation in Vietnam.
  It is important that we recognize the work of Vietnamese-Americans 
and others who labor continuously to bring attention to the injustices 
and human rights conditions in Vietnam. In addition, we must never 
forget those who risked and gave the ultimate sacrifice--their lives--
in defending and attempting to bring freedom and democracy to Vietnam.
  Traditionally, the former Republic of South Vietnam and presently in 
Vietnamese-American communities all across America, June 19 represents 
a day to commemorate and honor both fallen and living heros who have 
dedicated or are continuing to dedicate their lives to bringing 
international attention to the human rights situation in Vietnam. The 
Vietnamese-American community may be relatively young, but it has a 
consistent record of bringing issues such as human rights abuses, 
political and religious persecution, and labor exploitations committed 
in Vietnam, to the attention of the American public.
  Many of my own constituents have shared with me the horrors and their 
own personal stories of how they and their families have endured living 
under Vietnam's Communist regime without fundamental human rights. 
While many of them were lucky enough to escape from Vietnam, many more 
people have not been as fortunate.
  It is my strongest hope that the citizens of Vietnam will one day be 
free: free to elect their own leaders and government, free to worship 
as they please, free to speak and print their own opinions without fear 
of persecution or harassment, and simply free to live their lives 
without government intrusion. I hope my colleagues will join me in 
supporting this important resolution because it reaffirms Congress' 
commitment to Vietnamese-Americans and others whose work keeps the 
spirit of freedom alive for those still living in the Socialist 
Republic of Vietnam.

                          ____________________