[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 28, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E838]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF GE XAOCHAY THAO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 28, 2021

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Ge 
Xaochay Thao. Thao Ge passed away on June 24, 2021. He was a veteran, a 
father, grandfather, and husband to his wife Pa Moua.
  Thao Ge was born on July 31, 1935, in a region known as Roob Tshuaj 
or Medicine Mountain in the Xiengkhouang Province in Laos to Phoutong 
Xaochay Thao and Chong Moua. Growing up, Thao Ge had five brothers and 
three sisters,
  As Thao Ge grew older, he was part of the military and was recruited 
in 1953 by the French Guerilla Commando Military Army (GCMA) and 
trained as a Paratrooper and Radio Operator in the French Military Camp 
in Cap Saint Jacques in South Vietnam.
  After his training, Thao Ge was one among many in 1954 to march 
towards Dien Bien Phu to provide military support to the French Army. 
He returned after learning that the French had lost the battle to the 
North Vietnamese Army. Thao Ge was then later commissioned as the Chief 
of ``Partisans Militaire'', a Military Support Unit in Xiengkhouang.
  During his time as Chief, Thao Ge was best known for saving the life 
of the late General Vang Pao, then Major, from an assassination attempt 
by their military rivals. The attempt took place in the Plain of Jars 
in Laos. Because of his bravery and help in protecting Major Vang Pao, 
Thao Ge and his troop, the ``Partisans Militaire'', played a 
significant role in helping reinstate Major Vang Pao back into military 
power.
  In 1961, Thao Ge continued his military services in the Royal Lao 
Army, holding the rank of Two-Star Lieutenant. He served in the 
Batallion Voluntaire 21 (BV 21) and fought side-by-side with the United 
States in the Secret War of Laos from 1961-1975. Thao Ge was one of the 
very few people who were literate, allowing him to serve as an Officer 
of Disbursement for BV 21.
  Extending from his military contributions, Thao Ge paved the way for 
many Thao clan members and friends to get an education. From 1954 to 
1958, Thao Ge and his wife, Pa Moua, opened their home to nearly 30 
students, allowing them to attend school in the City.
  In 1976, Thao Ge and his family fled Laos to come to the United 
States as refugees. They first came to Madison, Wisconsin and in 1983 
moved to Fresno, California.
  He is survived by his wife, Pa Moua, children, grandchildren, great-
grandchildren, and his brother James Koua Xaochay Thao.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of 
Ge Xaochay. His service and contributions to the nations and the State 
of California will be missed. I join his family and friends in 
celebration of Thao Ge's life.

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