[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 121 (Friday, September 5, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1717]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MR. XIA CHIA XIONG

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 5, 2003

  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor Mr. Xia 
Chia Xiong for all of his service to the Lao community in Merced, 
California. As the first President of the Merced Lao Family Community, 
Inc. he touched many lives.
  Born in 1940 in Laos, Mr. Xiong dedicated his life to helping the Lao 
community. From 1957-1961, he was an assistant to the Chief of Nam 
Chanh District, City of Mong Pheng, Vangvieng Province, in Laos. During 
the Vietnam War, he worked for the United States Central Intelligence 
Agency and was bestowed the rank of major. With the fall of Laos in 
1975, he led a group of Hmong refugees to take refuge in Thailand and 
served these refugees until he immigrated to the United States in 1980.
  In the United States, Mr. Xiong served the first President of the 
Merced Lao Family Community, Inc. for 4 years. He then served as their 
Project Director for 2 years. His work in the community is recognized 
by many. It is my honor to also recognize his achievements.

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