[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL NENG VANG

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD HUDSON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 10, 2020

  Mr. HUDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of Lieutenant Colonel Neng Vang, a true American hero and inspiration 
to many throughout North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District.
   Lt.Col. Vang was born on January 5, 1942 in Phuv Luam, Xieng Khouang 
Province, Laos. After graduating from Nai Leoui Dong Heng Military 
Academy in 1963, he felt compelled to defend his country from the 
rising threat of communist forces.
   Lt.Col. Vang proved to be instrumental in many American operations 
throughout the region and assisted the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency 
(CIA) in rescuing fallen American pilots, securing U.S. radar stations, 
and preventing Northern Vietnamese assets from reaching South Vietnam. 
He served alongside the United States at great personal risk until the 
fall of Laos on May 15, 1975.
   Following the war, Lt.Col. Vang led a refugee camp in Thailand where 
he established post offices, implemented a system of law and justice, 
and provided valuable vocational training to fellow refugees.
   Lt.Col. Vang fled with his family to the United States on December 
24, 1982 and later settled in Troy, North Carolina. He became an 
American citizen on April 2, 1993 and dedicated the remainder of his 
life to the preservation of Hmong heritage and tradition.
   I am honored to join our community today in remembering his 
remarkable life and service.
   Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring the life and legacy 
of Lieutenant Colonel Neng Vang.

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