[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 60 (Tuesday, April 27, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E680]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMENDING HIS EXCELLENCY PHIANE PHILAKONE, AMBASSADOR OF THE LAO 
                      PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 27, 2010

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the 
distinguished service of His Excellency Phiane Philakone, the 
Ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) to the United 
States. Ambassador Philakone will soon be returning to Laos and, for 
historical purposes, I want to publicly acknowledge the good work he 
has done on behalf of his country.
  For more than three years, Ambassador Philakone has honorably carried 
out his responsibilities as Laos' Ambassador to the United States. 
During his service, he has worked with the House Foreign Affairs' 
Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, which I 
chair, to bring greater attention to the issue of Unexploded Ordnance 
in Laos.
  Because of him, I was able to visit Laos on two occasions and gain a 
firsthand understanding of the catastrophic and lasting effects of U.S. 
Air Force bombing operations in Laos during the Vietnam War. To this 
very day, these deadly, unexploded ordnances continue to claim the 
lives of a people who are not and never were at war with us, and unless 
we rectify this now, the loss of life will go on and on, tomorrow, the 
next day, and every day thereafter. I thank Ambassador Philakone for 
his leadership on this issue.
  Before Ambassador Philakone accepted his assignment to come to the 
U.S. in February 2007, he devoted six years as Ambassador of the Lao 
PDR to the Republic of the Philippines. From 1996-1999, he was the 
Deputy Governor of the Lao Central Bank. Prior to that position, he 
served as President of a joint venture commercial bank in the Lao PDR.
  Ambassador Philakone has held other distinguished banking posts, 
including Managing Director of a state commercial bank and Director of 
Administration of the Lao Development Bank. Additionally, from 1976-
1989, he was the Director of Research of the Bank of the Lao PDR.
  In addition to his extensive practical experience, Ambassador 
Philakone has academic training in policy and diplomatic matters. He 
received a Bachelor's Degree in Law and Administration from Institut 
Royal de Droit et d'Administration in Laos and an advanced degree from 
Institut International d'Administration Publique (IIAP) in France. He 
is fluent in English, French, and Thai.
  Ambassador Philakone and his wife, Mrs. Somchit Philakone, have three 
children, and I extend to them my highest regards and best wishes.

                          ____________________