[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 85 (Thursday, May 16, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E510-E511]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING PRAYONG DEEYING AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA 
 FOR ASIAN AMERICAN AND NATIVE HAWAIIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 2024

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, Prayong Deeying was born in Surin, Thailand. 
He received a full scholarship, ``Krome Pra-ya Dhumrong,'' from the 
Thai Royal Family to study fine arts at Silpa Korn University in 
Bangkok, Thailand.
  After receiving his BFA in sculpting, he was employed by the United 
States Army as an art instructor and did freelance work as well. 
Prayong is recognized as an accomplished artist in Thailand. He was 
honored by having four life-sized sculptures placed on permanent 
exhibition in the Ancient City Park in Bang Poo.
  Prayong moved to the U.S. in 1974 and received a master's in painting 
from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. After 
graduating, he taught art for 10 years at St. Mary's High School in 
Natchitoches. He received numerous juried art show awards. In 1985, he 
was one of 17 artists selected for Louisiana Limited Edition 1, a 
publication from a non-profit organization supporting the arts in 
Louisiana.
  In 1987, he relocated to Orlando, Florida, where he worked as a 
preparatory artist and senior preparatory artist at Walt Disney World. 
As a cast member, he was an active VoluntEAR.
  Once in Florida, he became close to the Thai community through his 
association with Wat Florida Dhammaram in Kissimmee. He has honored his 
parents' tradition of community service, as his parents and aunt and 
uncle donated the land to build the primary school and a Temple in 
their hometown of Surin by assisting in organizing ceremonies, 
fundraising, and supporting his fellow congregates.
  In 1994, Phra Tepvaraporn, the founder of Wat Florida Dhammaram, and 
Phra Wijitdhammapani, the abbott of the Temple, honored him by 
requesting he act as president of the congregation, a role he continues 
to fill today.
  From 2000 to 2003, he voluntarily sculpted, cast, and installed two 
16-foot Giant Guards to grace the exterior of the Temple, sharing 
traditional Thai art with the community.
  In 2014, he was recruited by the Asian-American Heritage Council to 
represent the Central Florida Thai community. He served a term as chair 
of that organization and continues to support the council by assuring 
Thai representation continues.
  Since retiring from this role in 2007, he has continued his support 
of the Temple and the Asian-American community, as well as 
participating in several ``Walks for Peace''--an event organized by 
Buddhist monks across the U.S. in which groups walk from Key West, 
Florida to Niagara Falls, New York.
  Prayong lives in Ocoee, Florida, surrounded by friends and family, 
including his daughter Gibb, his son Michael, his granddaughters Faith, 
Grace, and Ellie, and his wife Cindy.

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