[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 178 (Thursday, December 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO PRESIDENT NGUYEN VAN THIEU

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 20, 2001

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to extend my sincere condolences to 
the family of former Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu, who died on 
September 29, 2001. President Thieu played an important role in the 
history of his country and that of the United States.
  Thieu's passing closes a sad chapter in the history of two nations--
Vietnam and the United States. To many Vietnamese in San Jose, Nguyen 
Van Thieu's name is synonymous with the struggle of the Vietnamese 
people to live freely without fear of Communist repression. As a 
founding member of the Congressional Dialogue on Vietnam, I feel it is 
important that we in the House continue that fight on behalf of those 
in Vietnam and around the world who are unable to speak, assemble, or 
worship freely.
  Thieu was born April 5, 1923 as the youngest of five children in the 
poverty-stricken town of Phan Rang in central Ninh Thuan province. He 
attended the Merchant Marine Academy and the National Military Academy 
in Dalat, and was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in 1949. As an 
infantry platoon commander in the French campaign against the Viet 
Minh--the precursor to the Viet Cong--he became regarded as a good 
strategist and capable leader.
  President Thieu passed away with family present in the suburbs of 
Boston, where he spent the last years of his life. I wish to again 
extend my condolences to his family and those grieving his loss, and 
hope that one day the dream he shared of democracy, freedom, and human 
rights will come to Vietnam.

                          ____________________