[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 125 (Tuesday, July 25, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1044-E1045]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNITION OF MR. YA THAO MOUA

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 2017

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of Mr. Ya Thao Moua. Mr. Moua was a constituent who passed away on July 
2, 2017, at the age of 72.
  In 1960, at age 15, Mr. Moua joined the Auto Defense de Choc (ADC), a 
militia training program for the Royal Lao Armed Forces, backed by the 
Central Intelligence Agency. He rose in the ranks to serve as a Captain 
and eventually as an Assistant Chief Commander.

[[Page E1045]]

  On November 11, 1969, he sustained grave injuries when he was struck 
by an ammunition crate dropped by a United States aircraft on a routine 
ammunition drop.
  Mr. Moua's military service in the Royal Kingdom of Laos in support 
of the U.S. efforts to counter the communist offensive throughout the 
war is commendable.
  Between 1971 and 1974, Mr. Moua served as a police officer in the 
city of Long Cheng. In 1974, he was elected as a Tasseng, the 
equivalent of a county supervisor, where he led efforts to improve 
education, build new infrastructure, and conserve the environment.
  Facing mounting political persecution, Mr. Moua fled to Thailand in 
1975. Living with his family in United Nations refugee camps, he worked 
for many years advocating for peace and freedom in Laos.
  Upon resettlement to the United States in 1994, Mr. Moua became an 
outstanding civic leader. He served the Hmong American community in 
Minnesota in a variety of important capacities.
  Born on August 4, 1945 in the village of Thum Xouan Phou Kam Npob, 
Mouang Xieng Hong, Xiengkhouang Province, Mr. Moua was the second child 
of eight siblings born to Mr. Cher Lue Moua and Yer Yang.
  Mr. Moua was a loving husband and father. He is survived by his wife, 
Sia Xiong, 15 children, and 48 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 
Mr. Moua was also a devoted brother and a caring uncle, including to my 
dear friend and former Minnesota State Senator Mee Moua.
  Please join me in honoring the life and legacy of Mr. Ya Thao Moua.

                          ____________________