[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 92 (Friday, June 24, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF KHEN NGO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2011

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask Congress to celebrate the 
100th birthday of Khen Ngo, a prominent member of the Vietnamese 
Catholic community in San Bernardino. I would like to ask my colleagues 
to join me in celebrating this milestone with the Ngo family and the 
San Bernardino community.
  Born on July 4, 1911 in the Hue Province in Central Vietnam, Khen Ngo 
completed elementary school by age thirteen. Tragically, he fell ill to 
an infectious disease and did not recover until age seventeen. Shortly 
thereafter his family enrolled him in tailoring school. Khen completed 
his secondary education within one year.
  The skills he learned in school allowed him to become part of the 
family business. In Vietnam he opened and operated his own tailoring 
shop. Soon he was able to manage and maintain his parent's shop as 
well. Outside of work he served in the Parish council of Kim-Long 
Church as a finance officer for fifteen years. Life was about to 
drastically change for the Ngo family.
  In 1975, the Vietnamese Communist Regime invaded Vietnam. The Ngo 
family was a prominent family; the last name was well-known across the 
country. Their heritage can be traced back to the first President of 
Vietnam, Ngo Dinh Diem. Sadly, the communist regime also knew the Ngos 
well. They sought out and imprisoned many of the family members, 
leaving Khen no choice but to escape. Khen came to the United States as 
a Vietnamese refuge.
  He settled in Redlands, California and joined the Sacred Heart 
Church. The Ngos are a deeply religious and pious family. Together with 
his brother, Father Joseph Trong Ngo, the Ngos helped build and foster 
a Vietnamese Catholic community in San Bernardino. Khen lived a simple 
life and held steadfast to his values. He lives by two guiding 
principles: the Catholic teaching to honor your parents, and to live 
his life as a deeply religious and spiritual person.
  His life continues to be filled with spirit and love. He surrounds 
himself with the people he loves and leads a simple life. He fathered 
seven children and bestowed upon them the virtues he embodies. Khen now 
spends his days fishing and watching soccer games with any of his 
twenty nieces and nephews or nine grandchildren. I want to extend my 
best wishes to Khen Ngo on his 100th birthday along with the wishes of 
my wife, Barbara, and my children, Mayor Pro Tem Joe Baca Junior, 
Jeremy, Natalie, and Jennifer. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join 
me in sharing this special day with Khen Ngo.

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