[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 18 (Wednesday, January 31, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H320]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE TRUNG SISTERS' LEGACY
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from
California (Mrs. Steel) for 5 minutes.
Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of two
Vietnamese legends. Nearly everyone is familiar with the story of Joan
of Arc, but not as many Americans are familiar with the story of the
Trung sisters.
Trung Trac and Trung Nhi were born under the Han dynasty in what is
modern Vietnam. These sisters were very dedicated to education. They
were committed to bringing honor to their family, and they were
champions of their people. They are best known for their military
exceptionalism.
With their help, the Vietnamese people threw off the Han occupation.
Today, they are national heroines.
They represent the dignity of the Vietnamese people and the fierce
spirit of independence that resides in their hearts and in the hearts
of all Americans.
On March 3, the Vietnamese community in Orange County will honor
these two brave sisters.
Today, I am grateful to be able to enter their names into the
Congressional Record so Americans may remember their courage and learn
from their example.
Hamas Hostage Noa Argamani
Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share the story of 26-year-
old Noa Argamani.
Like many 26-year-olds, Noa loves to dance, she loves music, and she
loves her family.
That family includes her mother, Liora, who has stage 4 brain cancer.
Liora's one wish is to be with her daughter in her final days, but she
is running out of time. That is because on October 7, Noa was one of
more than 240 men, women, children, and elderly kidnapped by Hamas. The
barbaric behavior of Hamas has caused devastation for real people like
Noa and Liora.
I implore all of my colleagues and my fellow Americans to remember
them. We must have absolute moral clarity, and we must have resolve.
Hamas must be eliminated. The hostages must be returned. We must
stand with the families and victims of this attack, and we must stand
with Israel. We owe it to Noa, to Liora, to our ally, Israel, and to
the American people.
Wishing Laura Park Happy Birthday
Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish a very happy birthday
to a great South Californian and friend, Laura Park. Laura is a
brilliant designer and the owner of LeeHwa Wedding and Hanbok.
For over 30 years, she has used her business to bring the traditional
Korean hanbok to Americans. Her work is the product of four generations
of hanbok makers, going all the way back to her great-grandparents in
North Korea.
Now she represents what it looks like when Koreans achieve the
American Dream, as her business has become the largest hanbok house in
the United States.
As a first-generation Korean American myself, I am so appreciative of
her work to preserve the traditions of Korea, while embracing the
greatness of America at the same time. Her exceptional work is
something all Californians and all Americans can be proud of.
Laura, thank you for all you do, and have a very happy birthday.
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