[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 163 (Tuesday, November 3, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S7718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING DONG PHUONG BAKERY & RESTAURANT

 Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, Louisianians share a long history 
of triumph and resilience over hardship, and as a result, folks from 
all backgrounds pursue the American Dream with dedication and 
commitment. This is particularly true of the Vietnamese community and 
local small businesses in southeast Louisiana who came together to 
rebuild New Orleans East after Hurricane Katrina. In honor of National 
Women's Small Business Month, I am proud to recognize Dong Phuong 
Bakery & Restaurant of New Orleans, LA, as this week's Small Business 
of the Week.
  Amidst an intense postwar political climate following the end of the 
Vietnam war, De and Huong Tran immigrated to the United States in 1980 
in search of a more peaceful life and greater opportunities for their 
young family. The Trans and their three young children settled in an 
area with a fast-growing Vietnamese presence, the Versailles 
neighborhood of New Orleans. Shortly after settling into their new 
community, De enrolled at the University of New Orleans and found work 
at a local grocery store. Given De's busy class and work schedule, 
Huong cared for the young Tran children as they adjusted to their new 
home and culture. Searching for ways to reconnect with her beloved 
Vietnamese culture and provide extra income for her young family, Huong 
drew from her past working in her father's bakery in Vietnam and began 
baking a variety of Vietnamese delicacies, selling them to friends, 
family, and local shops in her community. Realizing they had a hit, 
Huong and De opened the Dong Phuong Oriental Bakery in 1981, selling 
traditional Vietnamese pastries and items with a French flair.
  During the rebuilding process after Hurricane Katrina, De and Huong 
Tran provided support and hope to their community, and today the Dong 
Phuong Bakery & Restaurant remains in their original location in the 
Vietnamese neighborhood of Versailles, operating out of a 4,000-square-
foot restaurant space. Now under the ownership of Huong Tran and Linh 
Tran Garza, the bakery continues to prepare and sell traditional 
French-Vietnamese cuisine, as well as their beloved fresh French bread 
to restaurants and customers across south Louisiana.
  Congratulations again to Dong Phuong Bakery & Restaurant for being 
Small Business of The Week and to Huong and Linh for their praiseworthy 
entrepreneurial spirit and for setting an example for women 
entrepreneurs across the Nation.

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