[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 152 (Thursday, September 21, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING MASTER HA HUYEN THANH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. LUIS CORREA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 21, 2017

  Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an important 
figure in the Vietnamese martial arts community, Master Ha Huyen Thanh 
and his significant contributions to the General Association for the 
Development of World Martial Arts for over 20 years.
  Master Ha Huyen Thanh was born as Ha Cong Huyen in Ninh Binh, 
Vietnam. He developed a passion for martial arts at an early age and 
pursued his passion through Shaolin, Judo, and self-defense martial 
arts when his family and he moved to the South of Vietnam in 1954.
  Upon receiving his Black Belt, Master Thanh became a Judo instructor 
and continued his training to become a Master. During this time, he 
became the Finance Commissioner for the ``Vietnam Judo Association'' 
and joined the Republic of Vietnam Air Force.
  Master Thanh was invited to instruct Judo at various places including 
Ngo Quyen training center, Tinh Nghiem Temple, and Bien Hoa Orphanage. 
His great talents granted him the opportunity to become the committee 
member for Mekong Judo Competition--a competition which was organized 
in Saigon, Vietnam and had eleven countries worldwide participate.
  When Master Ha Huyen Thanh came to the United States, he became a 
journalist and worked for various broadcasting stations in Orange 
County, California.
  In 1993, Master Ha Huyen Thanh's continuous passion for martial arts 
urged him to establish the General Association for the Development of 
World Martial Arts. The association has been hosting the World Martial 
Arts festival every two years to gather over 500 martial arts Masters, 
instructors, and students to showcase various types of martial arts. 
The association has also made great efforts to help their members open 
more training centers. Master Thanh is currently the General Secretary 
for the Association.
  On September 1, 2017, Master Thanh passed away, but his dedication to 
preserve and promote martial arts, and his impact on the Vietnamese 
martial arts community will remain a legacy.

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