[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 5, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E171-E172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN CELEBRATION OF 20 YEARS OF TRADE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES 
                              AND VIETNAM

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 2014

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, as a Vietnam veteran, I rise today to 
celebrate the 20th anniversary of Trade Relations between the United 
States and Vietnam.
  On February 3, 1994, President Bill Clinton lifted the U.S. trade 
embargo against Vietnam and ushered in a new era of U.S.-Vietnam 
relations, which led to the establishment of full diplomatic relations 
in 1995. These achievements were made possible by the support of 
Senator John McCain, then Senator John Kerry, and many other 
distinguished Americans.
  Today, U.S.-Vietnam relations are deeper and more diverse. In 
November 2000, President Clinton became the first U.S. President to 
visit Vietnam since President Nixon's 1969 trip to South Vietnam during 
the Vietnam War.
  On July 25, 2013, President Truong Tan Sang's visit to the United 
States became only the second by a Vietnamese head of state since the 
``normalization'' in 1995. I was honored to host President Sang on July 
24, 2013 in Room S-115 of the U.S. Capitol at an event held one day 
prior to his visit with President Barack Obama at the White House.
  U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid provided the venue for this 
historic meeting which included a select, bipartisan group of five U.S. 
Senators and five Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. In an 
open and frank conversation with President Sang, we discussed trade, 
security, the East Sea, human rights, religious freedom, Agent Orange, 
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, and many other topics of 
interest and concern. President Sang and U.S. lawmakers expressed a 
deep commitment to strengthening our bilateral relations, and I was 
personally impressed by President Sang's extraordinary vision and 
leadership. President Sang

[[Page E172]]

serves Vietnam with distinction, and I thank him for all he has done to 
advance the U.S.-Vietnam relationship, a relationship which is based on 
mutual trust and understanding.
  During my visit to Hanoi in December 2012, I also had the privilege 
of meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and, on the occasion of 
the 20th anniversary of trade relations between the U.S. and Vietnam, I 
wish to praise him for the remarkable service he renders. His 
leadership has led to improved relations between our two countries, and 
I acknowledge his significant contributions.
  I also acknowledge the contributions of Madam Tong Thi Phong, Vice-
Chair of the National Assembly, who I met again in December 2012 while 
in Hanoi. Madam Phong is an exceptional leader and one of only two 
female members of Vietnam's Politburo. I commend Madam Phong for the 
significant contributions she has made to her country and ours. Her 
work is of great consequence.
  I also recognize Vietnam's Politburo which is comprised of 16 members 
who are actively engaged in promoting cooperation between the United 
States and Vietnam. The Politburo's past and present contributions to 
the bilateral relationship are the reason we are celebrating 20 years 
of trade relations between our two countries.
  Having served in Vietnam during the War and having since visited 
Vietnam on several occasions in my official capacity both as Chairman 
and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia 
and the Pacific, I have seen Vietnam in many ways. I stand as a witness 
to the beauty, progress, goodness and strength of the U.S.-Vietnam 
Comprehensive Partnership.
  I have worked side-by-side with many of Vietnam's Ambassadors to the 
United States and have acknowledged their work accordingly. But, on the 
occasion of the 20th anniversary of trade relations between our two 
countries, I pay special tribute to His Excellency Ambassador Nguyen 
Quoc Cuong who I consider to be a colleague, a friend, and a brother.
  Ambassador Cuong represents the government and people of Vietnam with 
full integrity and unwavering commitment. In recognition of his 
tireless efforts in building a forward-looking relationship between our 
two countries and, in special consideration of our abiding friendship, 
I enter his name in the Congressional Record to stand as a testament of 
our work together.
  I am thankful for the twists and turns of life that have led me back 
and forth to Vietnam. I returned to Vietnam after 40 years and, at a 
dinner hosted by the National Assembly of Vietnam, I had long 
discussions with my counterparts who had also served in the Vietnam 
War. Although we were once enemies, we embraced each other as friends 
who share the same hopes and dreams for our families, friends and 
nations. We recognized that the broken times of Friday are behind us. 
Sunday has come. Peace is here.
  And so, I applaud former President Bill Clinton, President George W. 
Bush, President Barack Obama, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary 
Clinton, Senator John McCain, former Senator and now U.S. Secretary of 
State John Kerry, members of the House and Senate and, on Vietnam's 
part, President Sang, Prime Minister Dung, the Politburo, and the 
National Assembly for building a path of peace and prosperity. I 
especially honor those who have gone before us, because nothing we 
accomplish is possible without the perseverance of those who went 
first. I also acknowledge the contributions of those unnamed who have 
contributed in small and great ways to make this day possible.
  The U.S.-Vietnam partnership is stronger than it has ever been, and I 
would be remiss if I did not attribute much of the strength of our 
partnership to the veterans from both sides who have brought about 
change. While we should not rest until the United States fully 
addresses and rectifies the Agent Orange issue, I am pleased for now 
that both governments and our people are about the business of 
deepening U.S.-Vietnam ties. I am proud to be part of this historic 
undertaking. I am proud to be a friend of Vietnam and, without doubt, I 
believe the best is yet to come.

                          ____________________