[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 19 (Tuesday, February 8, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E166-E167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING MAJOR GENERAL VANG PAO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 8, 2011

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
achievements of Major General Vang Pao. General Pao served in the Royal 
Lao Army and fought alongside the United States Armed Forces during the 
Vietnam war. He passed away Thursday, January 6th, 2011.
  General Pao was born December 8, 1929 in the Xiangkhuang Province of 
northeastern Laos. He worked as a farmer in Laos until Japanese forces 
occupied the region as part of the French Indo-China War. During the 
conflict he fought alongside fellow Laotians to protect his country 
against the Japanese invasion. Following the war, Vang Pao continued to 
serve in the army of the Kingdom of Laos under the King of Laos. 
General Pao received the honored title of Phagna Norapramok, roughly 
translated as ``Lord Protector of the Country'' from the last King of 
Laos, King Savang Vatthana.
  During the 1960s and 1970s, General Pao led the Secret Army, during 
the Secret War, where they fought against the Pathlet Lao and the 
People's Army of Vietnam to prevent the spread of communism into 
Southeast Asia. General Pao commanded the Military Region Two where he 
successfully fought to prevent the capture of this region by the 
communist forces of the North Vietnamese Army. Additionally, he was an 
ally of the Central Intelligence Agency and organized 39,000 guerrilla 
warriors to aid downed American pilots and defend American outposts 
from the enemy.
  After the war, General Pao emigrated to the United States in May of 
1975. He actively worked to ensure the resettlement of hundreds of 
thousands of Hmong and Lao immigrants in America and to ensure equal 
rights for them. Additionally he worked to help facilitate U.S.-Lao 
relationships and helped the Hmong community embrace their new identity 
as Hmong-Americans.
  General Vang Pao dedicated his life to fight for freedom and 
democratic rights for all Southeast Asians. He relentlessly worked to 
improve the Hmong community and the world around him. General Vang 
Pao's legacy will not only be his leadership and accomplishments, but 
first and foremost, his service to his country and community.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor General Vang Pao for his service 
and dedication to the United States and the Hmong community. I invite 
my colleagues to join me in honoring Major General Vang Pao.

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