[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 97 (Friday, June 4, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING BOUNTHIENG EGKHOUNMOUNG AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK

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                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 4, 2021

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Master Sergeant 
Bounthieng Egkhounmoung, a recently retired veteran, as Iowan of the 
Week. Bounthieng, or BJ as he's known, retired last week from the 132nd 
Wing of the Iowa Air National Guard after over a total of 38 years in 
service to the country and the state of Iowa.
  From the Marine Corps, Air National Guard, and the State of Iowa, BJ 
served his country through nearly four decades. He retires as a Master 
Sergeant from the 132nd Wing of the Iowa Air National Guard. The 132nd 
Wing, founded in 1941, has deployed in numerous conflicts throughout 
the world and played a critical role in our state's flood recovery over 
the last few decades. Their values of Integrity First, Service Before 
Self, and Excellence in All We Do was exemplified by BJ throughout his 
service.
  As Asian Pacific American Heritage Month comes to an end, may we 
celebrate the diversity in our country and reflect on the challenges 
many in the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities still 
experience. BJ's exemplary service to our country and lived the 
military values of duty, honor, and country. To quote General MacArthur 
who was reflecting on his own 30 years of military service said ``Those 
three hallowed words (duty, honor, country) reverently dictate what you 
ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying 
points: to build courage when courage seems to fail; to regain faith 
when there seems to be little cause for faith; to create hope when hope 
becomes forlorn.'' Master Sergeant BJ embodied these values in his 38 
years of service.
  Our country is safe and our communities are secure thanks to the 
service of the over 20 million veterans and active service members that 
protect our nation, including BJ's service. As I rise today in honor of 
BJ, I encourage everyone to reach out to veterans and military families 
in your life, hear their stories, and give your thanks. I will continue 
to work across the aisle in Congress, such as my recently passed Sgt. 
Ketchum Rural Veterans' Mental Health Act, to ensure our veterans get 
the care they need and deserve.
  It is my honor to recognize BJ for his nearly four decades of 
outstanding service to our country. I thank BJ for his service, and I 
hope he has an enjoyable retirement.

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