[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 76 (Wednesday, June 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CONCERNING DESECRATION OF HMONG GRAVE IN THAILAND

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 14, 2006

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge the 
Royal Thai Government to immediately cease any further destruction of 
Hmong burial sites and stop the exhumation of Hmong graves located 
inside and surrounding Wat Thamkrabok monastery. Furthermore, I would 
ask that the Royal Thai Government address the serious plight of Hmong-
American families that I represent who no longer know where their loved 
ones' remains are located.
  Mr. Speaker, between 1995 and 2003 many Hmong families living in 
Thailand as refugees from Laos had buried their deceased loved ones in 
the Wat Thamkrabok sanctuary. In December 2003, the U.S. Department of 
State announced the last resettlement of 15,000 Hmong refugees residing 
in the Wat Thamkrabok monastery, which concluded last year by bringing 
nearly 5,000 new arrivals to Minnesota, a significant number of whom 
have settled in St. Paul and surrounding communities which I represent.
  It has been reported that between November 4 and December 30, 2005, 
approximately 900 Hmong graves were exhumed with the human remains 
taken to unknown destinations. Hmong-American families were shocked and 
profoundly disturbed to see the horrific video images of human remains, 
possibly of their own loved ones, being treated in a disrespectful and 
unspeakably offensive manner. To this day, Hmong-Americans remain 
unable to receive reliable information regarding the whereabouts of 
their loved ones' remains.
  As a Member of Congress representing more than 35,000 Hmong-American 
constituents, I join them in expressing shock at this disturbing 
episode. The dignity of their deceased ancestors deserves respect. 
There can be no doubt that this entire situation has caused 
considerable anguish and emotional distress to relatives now living in 
the United States and elsewhere.
  The Royal Thai Government is a friend and ally of the United States. 
Our bilateral relationship is vital and it would be my desire to see a 
strengthening of all aspects of this relationship. Yet, in Minnesota 
today, it is very difficult for me to champion this relationship with 
the pain and distress felt by so many of my constituents as a result of 
the desecration of their ancestors' graves. Once again, I would urge 
the Royal Thai Government to work to prevent any further Hmong grave 
exhumations, while fully investigating the circumstances surrounding 
this action in order to help facilitate long-lasting healing for those 
families affected by this terrible situation.

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