[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 19591-19592]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        CELEBRATING SIXTY YEARS OF U.S.-LAO DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 7, 2015

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, on December 4th I had the pleasure of 
attending at the invitation of Ambassador Mai Sayavongs a celebration 
of both the sixtieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos 
and the United States and the fortieth anniversary of the founding of 
the Lao People's Democratic Republic. The event was well attended by 
ASEAN ambassadors and key U.S. officials including Mr. Ben Rhodes from 
the White House and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and 
Pacific Affairs, Daniel Russel.

[[Page 19592]]

  Over the course of these six decades there have been many difficult 
passages in the bilateral relationship. Today, I look forward and it is 
my belief that the relationship between the United States and the Lao 
PDR will improve, strengthen and grow in importance. For me, U.S-Lao 
relations has a direct impact on the thousands of Hmong and Lao 
Americans I represent in St. Paul and the surrounding East metro 
suburbs. It has been forty years since the first refugees from 
Southeast Asia arrived in Minnesota, but the family, cultural, and 
economic ties to Laos continue to be very important. As Laos becomes 
more engaged in the global economy, respects the rule of law, and 
embraces human rights for all its citizens my constituents feel more 
comfortable and more excited about returning to their ancestral 
homeland.
  In the coming year Laos will become chair ASEAN and it is expected 
that President Obama will be the first U.S. president to visit Laos. It 
is critical that the U.S. encourage the Lao government to make the 
necessary reforms that will allow its people to escape poverty and 
contribute to the long-term success of their country. The lethal legacy 
of U.S. dropped unexploded ordinance from the era of the Vietnam War 
continues to plague the Lao people. UXO are a constant reminder of the 
obligation we have as a government to clean up a mess that continues to 
kill innocent Lao citizens and impedes economic development on lands 
all across Laos.
  It is my feeling that dialogue, cooperation, and common interests 
will allow the U.S.-Lao bilateral relations to improve significantly in 
2016. Both the Obama Administration and Ambassador Sayavongs have my 
full support in this goal.
  The following are remarks I delivered at the December 4th celebration 
of U.S.-Lao Relations.

       Good evening. Ambassador Sayavongs and Madam Sayavongs, I 
     am honored to be with you tonight to celebrate sixty years of 
     diplomatic relations between our countries, as well as the 
     fortieth anniversary of the Lao PDR.
       My relationship with the people of Laos is very special and 
     I strongly support strengthening our bilateral relations.
       My home is Minnesota. In my congressional district, I 
     represent tens of thousands of Hmong and Lao-Americans who 
     call Laos their ancestral home. They have family in Laos. 
     Their traditions come from Laos. And, they care deeply about 
     the future of Laos.
       More than anyone, I would like to acknowledge Mr. Chao Lee 
     who has been on my congressional staff since 2001, for 
     guiding me and advising me. He is with us tonight and I would 
     like to thank him for his work on behalf of U.S.-Lao 
     relations.
       Over my fifteen years serving in Congress I have taken many 
     steps to strengthen this relationship. I was a supporter of 
     normalized trade relations with Laos at a time when many 
     people were fighting about the past rather than working to 
     build a new future. I have always supported increased U.S. 
     funding for UXO clean--a terrible legacy of war that harms 
     the Lao people. And, in 2006, I had the pleasure of 
     celebrating a very special Christmas in Vientiane during a 
     visit to your beautiful country.
       Ambassador, I am committed to working with you to 
     strengthen our future together. We will work as partners to 
     address issues important to both our countries--economic 
     development, increased trade, and access GSP, as well as 
     improving human rights and human development to ensure that 
     all Lao people, including women and girls, are free to live 
     full, productive lives.
       Ambassador, I wish your government much success as Laos 
     chairs ASEAN next year. I know the Obama Administration will 
     work as a partner to ensure next year's ASEAN Summit is a 
     success and they will have my full support.
       Again, congratulations Mr. Ambassador on your country's 40 
     years.
       Thank you.

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