kennedy

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COMMENDING THE LAO AND HMONG-AMERICAN COMMUNITY OF RHODE ISLAND -- HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY (Extensions of Remarks - October 24, 2002)
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HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY
OF RHODE ISLAND
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, October 24, 2002
• Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, concerned individuals and organizations from the Laotian-American community in my district in Rhode Island and throughout the United States participated in key sessions of the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos, held on both July 17 and October 1, 2002, in the U.S. House of Representatives. They presented testimony and provided critical information to the Congress about the deteriorating human rights situation in Laos and the plight of missing Lao student leaders, political and religious dissidents as well as the ongoing persecution and horrific massacre of minority peoples, including the Hmong people in the closed areas of Saysamboun Special Zone and Xieng Khouang Province.
• Mr. Speaker, right now many Laotian and Hmong-Americans in Rhode Island have family members who are still suffering and dying in Laos under the brutal Pathet Lao regime. I am concerned that Laos remains a one-party Communist system that has nearly bankrupt the nation--both economically and morally, in terms of the lack of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms, including lack of religious freedom.
• Mr. Speaker, it is important to honor and thank Mr. Thongsavanh Phongsavan, and his colleagues from North Providence, Rhode Island, who have helped to so honorably represent the Laotian-American community in Rhode Island as well as the Lao-American Council and the Lao Progressive Institute of Rhode Island. I also want to recognize and commend Mr. Philip S. Smith, Executive Director, of the Center for Public Policy Analysis for his important work and leadership in helping to coordinate the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos with Members of Congress as well as assisting the freedom-loving people of Laos in Rhode Island and elsewhere in the Laotian Diaspora community. Special recognition and thanks also to: Mrs. Nouamkham Khamphylavong, Mr. Aly Chantala, Mr. Oudong Saysana and the members of the ``Lao Students Movement for Democracy''; Mr. T. Kumar, Amnesty International; Ms. Christine Hines and Mr. John Tai, of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom; Mr. Paul Martin, U.S. Department of State; Mrs. Kay Danes, former Australian political prisoner in Laos; Mr. Makram Ouaiss, National Democratic Institute; His Excellency Kat Dittavong, former Royal Lao Ambassador to Thailand 1973-75; Mr. Prakian Viravong, of the ``December 14'' organization, as well as a distinguished Lao poet and author; Mr. Khampoua Naovarangsy, of the Laos Institute for Democracy; Mr. Bounchaloune Phouthakhanty; Mr. Alan Sananikone, Col. Bounmee Sananikone, Mr. Bounthone Rathigna, Mr. Thongchanh Boulum, Col. Khamthene Chinyavong and Baramy Mitthivong, of the United League for Democracy in Laos, Inc.; The Honorable Dr. Sin Vilay, of the Royal Laos Foundation; Mr. Bounleung Ngonevolalath; Col. Khambang Sibounheuang--decorated officer and ``White Dragon Two'' author--and his colleague, Mr. Eugene Prater, of the Lao Nationalist Reform Party; Bon and Laura Xiong, Hubert Yang, Chuhu Xiong, Xeng Xiong and Ying Xiong, of the Hmong International Human Rights Watch and Hmong Reform Party; Mr. Moua Sao, of Lan Xang Democracy, Inc. and son of the legendary Hmong resistance leader Cher Pao Moua; Dr. Kayasith Rattanavongkoth, of the national Laotian-American Association; Jacqueline Sun; Dr. Edward Samada, International Buddhist Fellowship; Pastor Pat Kearney; Pastor Sidney Kahn; Mr. Kingsavanh Pathammavong, researcher, Lao history and culture; Mrs. Bounchan Senthavong, Lao Community Advisor; Col. Thai C. Vang, Col. Wangyee Vang, Cherzong Vang, Mr. Chang Ger Xiong, Nao Lue Kue, Mr. Toua Kue, Xia Xu Kue and many others from the Lao Veterans of America, Inc.; Touy Manikham, former RLAF pilot; Professor Onsy Inthavong, Mr. Vanhlang Khamsouk, Manisakhone Sinhbandith and Nick Hanthaley, of the Federation for Free Elections in Laos; Mrs. Yer Ly, daughter of missing Hmong-American, Mr. Houa Ly; Mr. Bee Moua, Representative, Chao Fa Party; Mr. Bounheuang Manivong, Editor, Phendin Lao Magazine; Miss Ratdavone Yotharath, President, Miss Lao-American, Inc. of Rhode Island; Mr. Vue Lee, Hmong Community Advisor and businessman; Mr. Southalavong Boutah, Lao Veterans Association; and, George Vue and Dr. Houa Yang, of the Hmong National Council, Inc. as well as so many others.
• Mr. Speaker, I remain deeply concerned about the plight of the suffering people of Laos and the deplorable human rights and economic situation under the current Pathet Lao regime. I join my colleagues in Congress in commending the Lao and Hmong-American community and the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos for the important effort they have put forward to help raise further awareness about the difficult situation in Laos, including human rights violations, religious and ethnic persecution--and the terrible plight of missing Lao student leaders and Hmong-Americans.