[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 144 (Monday, December 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF MR. NGUYEN AN HA OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 1, 2014

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my 
friend and brother, Mr. Nguyen An Ha of the Socialist Republic of 
Vietnam.
  Mr. Nguyen has been working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
(MOFA) of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam since 1993. He was assigned 
as Political Counselor at the Embassy of Vietnam to the United States 
in March 2011, and also serves as Deputy Director of the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs.
  From 2007 to 2011, Mr. Nguyen served in the America Department of 
MOFA. From 2003 to 2007, he worked as Second Secretary of the Mission 
of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN). From 1996 to 2003, Mr. Nguyen 
worked as an expert at the Department of International Organization in 
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 1994 to 1995, he studied at the 
Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.
  Mr. Nguyen graduated from the University of Foreign languages in 
Hanoi. He is married to Hoang Thi Hai Yen, and he and his lovely wife 
have a beautiful daughter, Nguyen Hoang Minh Ngoc. Mr. Nguyen is the 
son of Mr. Nguyen Huu Xuyen and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Kim Huong.
  On behalf of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mr. Nguyen has spared 
no effort in strengthening U.S.-Vietnam relations. He has served his 
country and colleagues with distinction and honor. As Political 
Counselor, he worked side-by-side with His Excellency Nguyen Quoc 
Cuong, former Ambassador of Vietnam to the United States, and also with 
Dr. Luan Thuy Duong, former Minister at the Embassy of Vietnam to the 
United States, to promote Vietnam's stance in calling for a peaceful 
resolution of disputes in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. 
Because of their tireless efforts and leadership, the U.S. House of 
Representatives finally passed for the first time ever a Resolution 
calling for such support. H. Res. 714, a Resolution I introduced in 
support of peaceful and collaborative resolution of maritime and 
jurisdictional disputes in the South China Sea and the East China Sea 
as provided by universally recognized principles of international law, 
was unanimously passed by the House on December 2, 2014.
  In my official capacity as Ranking Member of the House Foreign 
Affairs' Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, I have relied on Mr. 
Nguyen's expertise regarding many matters affecting the security of the 
Asia-Pacific region, as well as the U.S.-Vietnam relationship. Mr. 
Nguyen has been a tremendous help to me and I will miss him when he 
returns to Vietnam next year.
  Because so many in diplomatic missions serve so well, it is rare for 
me to include a statement in the Congressional Record in honor of 
diplomats. But Mr. Nguyen has served exceptionally well--in a way that 
deserves to be recognized and preserved in the records of U.S. history 
and so I am including a statement as I also did for Dr. Luan Thuy Duong 
and Ambassador Cuong.
  On a more personal note, knowing and serving with Mr. Nguyen, Dr. 
Duong and Ambassador Cuong has been one of the highlights of my career. 
I am thankful for our friendship and I will always be grateful to them 
for all they did to bring about recognition of the interim board of The 
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Vietnam. Forevermore, I 
will also hold a special place in my heart for Prime Minister Nguyen 
Tan Dung, President Truong Tan Sang, the Politburo, Vice Chairwoman 
Tong Thi Phong, the National Assembly, MOFA, Public Security and the 
countless other individuals, departments, organizations and individuals 
who supported recognition--a cause that meant so much to me.
  As I now leave the U.S. House of Representatives, I hope I will be 
remembered as having given all I could on behalf of the leaders and 
people of Vietnam, too. Once caught up in a war I knew little about, I 
thank God I was able to return to Vietnam later in life as both 
Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Asia and the 
Pacific. In returning, I found a people I love.
  This is why I have repeatedly called for the United States to clean 
up the mess it left behind and do right by the victims of Agent Orange. 
I have also advocated for the United States to boost bilateral 
relations in several sectors, including defense, trade and security. 
Strong U.S.-Vietnam ties are key to stability in the Asia-Pacific 
region, and H. Res. 714 is a step forward.
  I thank Mr. Nguyen, once more, for his work in bolstering the U.S.-
Vietnam relationship. Until we meet again, I wish Mr. Nguyen the very 
best, and I extend to him my highest regards.

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