[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16202]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   CONTRIBUTION OF HMONG/LAO VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TIM HOLDEN

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2001

  Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute and honor the important 
work of Hmong and Lao-Americans in my district in Pennsylvania for 
their efforts on behalf of their community in Reading and their former 
homeland of Laos. Many of them are veterans, or the family members of 
veterans, who served with the United States military and clandestine 
forces during the Vietnam War, and who have now become proud U.S. 
citizens.
  As new Americans, the Hmong and Lao people from Reading, and other 
parts of Pennsylvania, are still very concerned about their suffering 
families and friends still being oppressed by the one-party Communist 
regime in Laos. Many of my constituents recently traveled from 
Pennsylvania to Capitol Hill to participate in the U.S. Congressional 
forum on Laos. At the forum, they offered testimony and evidence 
regarding human rights abuses in Laos, including: religious persecution 
against Christians and Buddhists; the oppression of ethnic minorities; 
and the crackdown against peaceful student demonstrators. The Lao 
Veterans of America helped to make this effort a success by raising 
awareness in Congress about the ongoing problems in Laos. Important 
community leaders that have participated include Mr. Tong Vue, Mr. Nhia 
Pao Vue, Reverend Song Chai Hang, Long Yang, and others. I am also very 
grateful to Mr. Philip Smith for his work in Washington, D.C. and the 
U.S. Congress with regard to Laos and Southeast Asia, and with the 
Asian American community in my district.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to represent the Hmong and Lao-American 
citizens in my Congressional district, including the veterans and their 
refugee families, who were staunch allies of the United States during 
the Vietnam War. It is important for us to recognize and commend them. 
It is also important not to forget their relatives and friends who 
continue to suffer terrible human rights abuses in Laos as a result of 
their devotion to the cause of freedom and democracy.
  To the Hmong and Lao-American community, and the Lao Veterans of 
America, I salute you and thank you for your commitment to the 
principles of freedom, democracy, and human rights. I appreciate the 
productive role that you are playing in our community as patriotic new 
Americans and good citizens.

                          ____________________