6300 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE April 13, 2005 they participate in the coalition fight- Americans with an opportunity to pass single most important lay person in ing the global war on terror. In fact, their customs down to future genera- the American Jewish community.’’ If the Mongolian Ministry of Defense spe- tions while simultaneously allowing all for no other reason, his commitment to cifically requested Alaska National Khmerians to share their culture with the Jewish people would have earned Guard support based on Alaska’s rela- other Americans. him the title, but the hundreds of mil- tionship with their nation. This celebration traditionally serves lions of dollars he helped raise for Jew- I would like to quote MG Craig as a respite between the Khmerian har- ish charitable causes further dem- Gambell that, ‘‘[a]s long as the Mongo- vest and the weeks colloquially re- onstrated his devotion. lian Armed Forces are willing to send ferred to as the ‘‘rainy season.’’ Tradi- Presidents Nixon and Ford turned to troops in support of Operation Iraqi tionally, the Anniversary of the Bud- him to serve as an unofficial emissary Freedom, the Alaska National Guard dha affords Khmerians a chance to give to during times of crisis in the will continue to stand by their side.’’ thanks, reflect, and welcome the spirit Middle East. His work was hailed by Prior to 2000, Mongolia did not have Tevada Chhnam Thmey. Also, in ac- Henry Kissinger in his autobiography. a national policy of deploying forces cordance with tradition, scores of Cam- Though a resident of Michigan as an beyond its borders. Yet, they were the bodian-Americans will gather with adult, Max Fisher was no Wolverine. first coalition country to contribute an friends and family to visit local mon- He was a Buckeye through and infantry battalion to Iraq. The Mongo- asteries. While there, the Khmerian through. Max grew up in Salem, OH lian Armed Forces are currently pro- people will proffer food to their clergy- and attended the State University viding security to a logistics base in men, pray for ancestors, give charity on a football scholarship. In his time as southern Iraq, escorting convoys, con- to the less-fortunate, forgive the mis- an athlete the world got a glimpse of structing military barracks, medical deeds of others, and thank elders for the competitive spirit that was to facilities, and local schools. They de- their knowledge and care. serve him so well in business. In one of serve special recognition for pre- The Khmerian ceremonies and activi- his most famous plays as a Buckeye, venting a suicide attack that could ties occurring this week demonstrate Max sacrificed four of his teeth when have killed hundreds. that each year brings new opportuni- he successfully blocked a punt with his Alaska’s pairing with Mongolia in ties for charity, peace, and happiness. face. the National Guard State Partnership Rhode Islanders witnessed the realiza- After his graduation from Ohio State Program is fitting, given our similar tion of one such opportunity this year. in 1930, Max headed for and geographic size, topography, popu- I was fortunate to work with Miriam began his career as a pioneer in the oil lation density, and climate. The pro- Hospital in Providence and Representa- refining business. Max saw that the gram allows Alaska’s soldiers to work tives Kennedy and Langevin to obtain automobile would transform the na- with Mongolian forces on professional visas to reunite Cambodian-Rhode Is- tion, and he had the vision to create military skills as well as in military- lander Minea Meas with his family. the refinery capacity necessary to run to-civil and civil-to-civil areas. Beyond Three long years after Minea received those millions of new vehicles. He the teamwork in Iraq, other events political asylum in our country, his learned the business inside and out and have been coordinated to keep the wife, Chantol Lim, and his children became a legend when he built another partnership together for years to come. Monita, Sovannra, and Sinvath joy- oil company—Aurora Gasoline and its Last year, an Alaska National Guard fully relocated from Cambodia to build affiliate, Speedway ’76—that, after a delegation met with Prime Minister a positive future with Minea in Rhode series of mergers, became Marathon Oil Elbegdorj, as well as other senior level Island. Consequently, the Meas family in 1962. Twenty years later, U.S. Steel government and military leaders in will never forget the Year of the Mon- bought Marathon and the sale of Max Mongolia. Already plans to send ob- key. Fisher’s 600,000 shares added another servers both this year and next have As we commemorate this important fortune to his fortune. been made. time, let us reflect on recent inter- Never content to rest on his laurels, The success that the partnership en- national affairs and our Nation’s con- Max’s business interests continued. He joyed this past year is a direct reflec- tinued efforts to promote universal had successful ventures in food proc- tion of the willingness and eagerness human rights and fundamental demo- essing and real estate, including as a on both sides to further our relations. cratic ideals. Let us also take this op- partner in the purchase of the 77,000 The Alaska National Guard tells me portunity to honor the Cambodian acre Irvine Ranch in Orange County, that Mongolia is enthusiastic about Americans currently serving in our Na- CA, which was the largest private real their democratic reforms and is aggres- tion’s military, for helping to preserve estate transaction in American history sively working to meet its goals. the liberties we all enjoy. at the time. Finally, I would like to wish all Cam- I thank the leaders of Mongolia for One of the traits of Max Fisher that bodian Americans happiness, pros- their friendship and support, and I look I admire most is that he never aban- perity, and good health in this, the forward to the continued success of doned his friends in time of trouble. Year of the Rooster. this partnership between the Land of When others might have told him he the Midnight Sun and the Land of Blue f had reason to do so, he remained loyal. Sky. ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS After his friend Richard Nixon resigned f the presidency and entered a long win- ter as a political pariah, Max reached CAMBODIAN KHMER NEW YEAR TRIBUTE TO MAX M. FISHER out to him with encouraging words, Mr. REED. Mr. President. I rise ∑ Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, he writing that ‘‘history will record the today on behalf of my fellow Rhode Is- was the son of poor Russian immi- great contribution you have made to landers to commemorate the 2549th An- grants who grew up to be a citizen of the world.’’ He stuck by his friend Ger- niversary of the Buddha, the Khmer the world. He was a skilled business- ald Ford when narrowly New Year. man who devoted much of his time to defeated him in 1976. This 3-day anniversary, which begins giving away millions of dollars to char- Some say that after Ohio State, De- today, highlights the rich heritage of ity. He was a modest man with a low troit was Max’s first love. When riots Cambodian Americans, while recog- profile who was sought out by world erupted in Detroit in the late 1960s, nizing contemporary Khmerian accom- leaders for his advice. Max did everything in his power to try plishments. Specifically, the New America has lost one of its finest to bring people of all races and faiths Year’s festivities celebrate the ancient citizens with the passing last month of together. At his funeral, a retired Fed- dance, music, and religious traditions Max Fisher. eral judge told the story of how Max of the Cambodian community. The A former Member of this body, Jacob Fisher went down to City Hall to de- event also provides older Cambodian Javits, called Max Fisher ‘‘perhaps the mand the release of African American

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