DOCSLIB.ORG

EXTENSIONS of REMARKS May 2, 1994 EXTENSIONS of REMARKS

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
EXTENSIONS of REMARKS May 2, 1994 EXTENSIONS of REMARKS 8960 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS May 2, 1994 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS U.S. POLICY TOWARD THE REPA­ U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, The 305 Highland Lao to whom Mr. Pobzeb TRIATION OF LAO HMONG ASY­ Washington, DC, April 25, 1994. refers are a group of Hmong who had been LUM SEEKERS Hon. LEE H. HAMILTON, screened out, or determined not to be eligi­ Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House ble for refugee status, and who had, accord­ of Representatives. ing to the Thai Ministry of the Interior, at­ HON. LEE H. HAMILTON DEAR MR. CHAffiMAN: Thank you for your tempted to bribe their way into the resettle­ OF INDIANA letter of February 22 regarding your con­ ment process by paying about $2,000 each in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cerns, and those of Mr. Vang Pobzeb, for the exchange for transportation from Ban Napho treatment of Hmong asylum seekers in Laos Monday, May 2, 1994 repatriation center to Phanat Nikhom camp and Thailand. We apologize for the delay in and the promise of illegal access to the U.S. Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, there has our response. resettlement program. According to the Min­ been considerable concern recently, particu­ We would like first of all to address two of istry, three camp officials and several larly among the Hmong community in the Unit­ the issues raised by Mr. Pobzeb: the dis­ Phanat Nikhom Hmong leaders were alleg­ ed States, about reports of forced repatriation appearance of Hmong leader Vue Mai and the edly involved in the scheme to take advan­ matter of the 305 Hmong who went from tage of the screened-out Hmong population to Laos of Hmong asylum seekers in Thailand. Napho camp to Phanat Nikhom camp and I wrote to the Secretary of State on February who are ineligible for resettlement. The back. scheme was uncovered by officials of the 22, 1994 on this topic, and on April 25, 1994, Since learning of Vue Mai's disappearance, United Nations High Commissioner for Refu­ I received a reply from the Department of the United States Government has taken gees (UNHCR) in Phanat Nikhom. Our Em­ State which provides background on this issue specific actions to bring our concern to the bassy in Bangkok reports that in all prob­ and the U.S. role in the repatriation program. attention of the Lao and Thai Governments ability the camp officials will be prosecuted. and to urge that every effort be made to lo­ With the completion of the investigation The exchange of letters follows: cate Vue Mai and guarantee his welfare. In COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, in Phanat Nikhom, the 305 Hmong were re­ addition to direct communications with our turned to the Napho camp. An officer from HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Embassies in Vientiane and Bangkok on this Washington, DC, February 22, 1994. our Embassy in Bangkok visited the group issue, we raised our concerns directly with after their arrival in Napho and found that Hon. WARREN M. CHRISTOPHER, the Foreign Minister of Laos during his visit Secretary of State, Department of State, Wash­ to Washington last year. The Government of they were being treated well. Subsequent to ington, DC. Laos has denied any involvement in the dis­ arrival in Napho, some members of the group DEAR MR. SECRETARY: I write to seek your appearance and has pledged to investigate. returned voluntarily to Laos pursuant to comment on questions raised about the repa­ According to information we have so far re­ normal return procedures. triation of Hmong asylum seekers from ceived, no evidence has appeared to tie ei­ Finally, Mr. Pobzeb's statements that offi­ Thailand to Laos under the Comprehensive ther the Lao Government or elements of the cials of the Department of State are corrupt Plan of Action for Indochinese refugees waning Lao resistance forces to Vue Mai's and criminals, "violators and traitors of (CPA). disappearance. human rights," and "have continued to lie," Many in the Hmong-American community Since the case of Vue Mai is unique and are untrue. Some of his other statements are are clearly concerned about the repatriation since our monitoring efforts have to date also open to question. It is unlikely, for ex­ process and the fate of Hmong returnees produced no credible evidence of persecution ample, that Mr. Werner Blatter, Chief of the upon their return to Laos. A number of seri­ of those who return to Laos, the United UNHCR office in Geneva dealing with the ous allegations are being made about the use States continues to support the voluntary Comprehensive Plan of Action, stated, as Mr. of force and corruption to convince some repatriation program. As part of the Tri­ Pobzeb says he did, that there are "mass Hmong people to return to Laos against partite Agreement (Thailand, Laos, UNHCR) killing and human rights violations in their will. The so far unaccounted for dis­ signed in Luang Prabang, Laos in 1991, the Laos," especially since it is Mr. Blatter's or­ appearance of one returnee (Mr. Vue Mai) Thai Government agreed that repatriations ganization that encourages and supports re­ has caused anxiety and aroused concern to Laos will take place without force. Direct patriation to Laos. The Department of State about the likely fate of other returnees. observations of repatriation movements by is interested in the truth of any allegation, Against this background, I would appre­ U.S. Embassy Bangkok officers confirm that but requires that allegations be supported by ciate having your latest assessment of the this commitment is being honored. The Unit­ credible evidence. Hmong repatriation program and the experi­ ed States has, over the last two years, pro­ We hope this information provides a clear­ ence of those who have already been re­ vided $2.7 million to assist in the repatri­ er perspective on United States policy and turned to Laos. ation and reintegration of those who return actions in connection with Hmong repatri­ The Chairman of the Denver-based Lao home. Of that amount, $1.5 million was man­ ation. Please do not hesitate to contact us if Human Rights Council, Mr. Vang Pobzeb, dated by Congress to support non-govern­ you have further questions. has written in particularly strong terms. ment organization activities in support of Sincerely, Apart from expressing deep concern about Hmong repatriation. WENDY R. SHERMAN, the repatriation process, he makes a number An important fact not mentioned by Mr. Assistant Secretary, of allegations about the role of U.S. officials Pobzeb is that the majority of Hmong re­ Legislative Affairs. in the process. In short, Mr. Pobzeb accuses turning to Laos during the last two years are officials from the State Department and the refugees who could have chosen to be inter­ U.S. Embassy in Bangkok of lying about this viewed for resettlement in the United States. PERSIAN GULF VETERANS NEED issue and engaging in a cover up of abuses in They instead chose to return home. Another ADDITIONAL HELP the Hmong repatriation program. fact is that there are fewer than 2,000 Hmong These allegations have come as a surprise who have been screened out, that is, deter­ to me. They do not square with the generally mined not to be refugees. The vast majority HON. G.V. (SONNY) MONTGOMERY high regard I have for your Department's of the approximately 20,000 Hmong who re­ OF MISSISSIPPI commitment to the cause of human rights main in camps are eligible for the U.S. pro­ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and humanitarian issues. I know you would gram. The United States accepted 7,000 not tolerate the sorts of abuses referred to Hmong in FY 93, and will accept a similar Monday, May 2, 1994 by Mr. Pobzeb. But such allegations require number in FY 94. Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, following investigation and I therefore seek your com­ The disappearance of Vue Mai is of impor­ a 3-day workshop last week convened by the ments. For this purpose, I attach a copy of tance to the United States Government both National Institutes of Health, it was concluded Mr. Pobzeb's letter. because of our concern for Vue Mai himself With kind regards, and for any possible impact his disappear­ that additional broad-based research is need­ Sincerely, ance may have on the process of voluntary ed to determine what is making some of our LEE H. HAMILTON, repatriation to Laos. We will continue to Persian Gulf veterans sick. This conference in­ Chairman. pursue this matter until it is resolved. cluded medical and scientific professionals e This "bullet" symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. May 2, 1994 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 8961 from VA, Defense, and Health and Human NAWCF is the result of the efforts of the TRIBUTE TO DR. JOSEPH J. DEL Services. late Congressman Conte and Chairman DIN­ ROSSO IN HONOR OF HIS 39 Mr. Speaker, everyone is in agreement. GELL. Congressman Conte and Chairman DIN­ YEARS AS AN EDUCATOR These illnesses are genuine. These veterans GELL served as the two Representatives of the are sick.· And there is a concerted effort to di­ U.S. House on the Migratory Bird Conserva­ agnose what has made them sick. We have tion Commission [MBCC]. The MBCC has the HON. GARY L ACKERMAN given them priority access to VA health care responsibility of distributing Duck Stamp mon­ OF NEW YORK and are conducting a great deal of research.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Sung Yong Lee Phd Thesis
    DYNAMICS OF INTERPLAY BETWEEN THIRD-PARTY INTERVENERS AND NATIONAL FACTIONS IN CIVIL WAR PEACE NEGOTIATIONS: CASE STUDIES ON CAMBODIA AND EL SALVADOR Sung Yong Lee A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of St. Andrews 2011 Full metadata for this item is available in Research@StAndrews:FullText at: http://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/ Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10023/1864 This item is protected by original copyright This item is licensed under a Creative Commons License University of St Andrews Dynamics of Interplay between Third-Party Interveners and National Factions in Civil War Peace Negotiations: Case Studies on Cambodia and El Salvador by Sung Yong Lee A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of International Relations November 2010 Declaration of Authorship 1. Candidate’s Declarations: I, Sung Yong Lee, hereby certify that this thesis, which is approximately 80,000 words in length, has been written by me, that it is the record of work carried out by me and that it has not been submitted in any previous application for a higher degree. I was admitted as a research student in October 2007 and as a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in December 2008; the higher study for which this is a record was carried out in the University of St Andrews between 2007 and 2010. date ________________________ signature of candicate _________________________ 2. Supervisor’s Declaration: I hereby certify that the candidate has fulfilled the conditions of the Resolution and Regulations appropriate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the University of St Andrews and that the candidate is qualified to submit this thesis in application for that degree.
    [Show full text]
  • Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 106 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION
    E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 106 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION Vol. 145 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1999 No. 162 House of Representatives The House met at 10:30 a.m. R E V I S E D N O T I C E If the 106th Congress, 1st Session, adjourns sine die on or before November 17, 1999, a final issue of the Congressional Record for the 106th Congress, 1st Session, will be published on December 2, 1999, in order to permit Members to revise and extend their remarks. All material for insertion must be signed by the Member and delivered to the respective offices of the Official Reporters of Debates (Room HT±60 or S±123 of the Capitol), Monday through Friday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. through December 1. The final issue will be dated December 2, 1999, and will be delivered on Friday, December 3, 1999. If the 106th Congress does not adjourn until a later date in 1999, the final issue will be printed at a date to be an- nounced. None of the material printed in the final issue of the Congressional Record may contain subject matter, or relate to any event that occurred after the sine die date. Senators' statements should also be submitted electronically, either on a disk to accompany the signed statement, or by e-mail to the Official Reporters of Debates at ``Records@Reporters''. Members of the House of Representatives' statements may also be submitted electronically by e-mail or disk, to accom- pany the signed statement, and formatted according to the instructions for the Extensions of Remarks template at http:// clerkhouse.house.gov.
    [Show full text]
  • Read the Spring 2015 Edition of the GATE Journal
    VOLUME 1 SPRING 2015 JOURNALGATE Letter from the Editorss Dear Reader, Welcome to the inaugural edition of the GATE Journal! What started as an idea hatched in the dining hall a year ago as sophomores has come a long way. GATE, short for Global Affairs The- oretical and Empirical, is Arizona State University’s first undergraduate global affairs academic journal. We have many people to thank for their support, constructive criticism, and dedicated work throughout the process. ASU students, faculty, and outside members of the community have all aided us in a multitude of ways. It has taken a team to build this journal from inception and no one deserves more credit than our staff. Without their various contributions GATE would still be nothing more than an idea. Despite a few growing pains, all of these experiences have coalesced into a final product that we are proud to publish. As GATE’s full name highlights, our hope for this edition and all others is to connect the theory of academia with its real world implications. We aim to do this with a wide array of scholarly articles and feature stories covering topics from across the globe. In this edition we have five peer-re- viewed academic articles, including civil war theory applied to the Syrian conflict and China’s role in modernizing Asia, among other topics. Additionally, we include local profiles on ASU’s new Center on the Future of War and spotlights on two ASU student organizations implementing microfinance projects here in Arizona and abroad. We would like to thank all of the authors who submitted works.
    [Show full text]
  • Extensions of Remarks
    25554 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS October 3, 1991 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS THE HIGH TEMPERATURE The concept of HTS technology is relatively win the race: intensive research and develop­ SUPERCONDUCTIVITY ELECTRIC basic: certain ceramic materials lose all resist­ ment, and the precommercialization of HTS POWER SYSTEMS ACT OF 1991 ance to electricity at low temperatures. Recent energy systems technologies. Our legislation scientific breakthroughs have overcome the would authorize the Secretary of Energy to MARKEY major technical difficulties of HTS and have carry out a program to develop the major ele­ HON. EDWARD J. created a wave of support within the energy ments of a HTS electric energy system includ­ OF MASSACHUSETTS community. ing transmission lines, generators, and mag­ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES According to a report by the Electric Power netic storage rings. Moreover, the HTS Elec­ Thursday, October 3, 1991 Research Institute, our electric power trans­ tric Power Systems Act empowers the Sec­ mission lines are not far from copper wires retary of Energy to facilitate the Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, today, I join hanging from pine trees. A high temperature precommercialization phase of HTS electric with Representative DON RITIER to introduce superconducting electric transmission line energy technologies. The precommercializa­ the High Temperature Superconductivity Elec­ would be able to transmit over 100 times the tion phase of HTS energy applications is par­ tric Power Systems Act of 1991. This timely amount of a copper wire without losses. This ticularly important because it ensures that the legislation would promote energy efficiency by quality makes HTS transmission lines ideal for United States maintain a stronghold in the de­ carrying out a program of research and devel­ heavily populated urban areas where space is velopment of the underlying technology which opment and joint ventures for high tempera­ limited and the demand is high.
    [Show full text]
  • The Media and Sino-American Rapprochement, 1963-1972
    Wayne State University Wayne State University Dissertations 1-1-2013 Reading The eT a Leaves: The ediM a And Sino- American Rapprochement, 1963-1972 Guolin Yi Wayne State University, Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations Part of the Communication Commons, History Commons, and the International Relations Commons Recommended Citation Yi, Guolin, "Reading The eT a Leaves: The eM dia And Sino-American Rapprochement, 1963-1972" (2013). Wayne State University Dissertations. Paper 719. This Open Access Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@WayneState. It has been accepted for inclusion in Wayne State University Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@WayneState. READING THE TEA LEAVES: THE MEDIA AND SINO-AMERICAN RAPPROCHEMENT, 1963-1972 by GUOLIN YI DISSERTATION Submitted to the Graduate School of Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY 2013 MAJOR: HISTORY Approved by: ____________________________________ Advisor Date ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ! ! ! COPYRIGHT BY GUOLIN YI 2013 All Rights Reserved DEDICATION I dedicate this dissertation to my parents, Youju Yi and Lanying Zhao, my siseter Fenglin Yi, and my wife Lin Zhang. ! ii! ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am sincerely and heartily grateful to my advisor Melvin Small, who has lighted my way through the graduate study at Wayne State. I am sure this dissertation would not have been possible without his quality guidance, warm encouragement, and conscientious editing. I would also like to thank other members of my dissertation committee: Professors Alex Day, Aaron Retish, Liette Gidlow, and Yumin Sheng for their helpful suggestions.
    [Show full text]
  • Displacements and Hmong Transnational Politics, 1975-2010
    Dreaming of Home, Dreaming of Land: Displacements and Hmong Transnational Politics, 1975-2010 A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA BY Her Vang IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Dr. Erika Lee, Advisor July 2010 © Her Vang 2010 All rights reserved ACKNOWLEDGMENTS In 1933, the Lakota author Luther Standing Bear suggested that written history was second best to oral tradition because “a people enrich their minds who keep their history on the leaves of memory.”1 For much of their history, the Hmong also stored their past not in books but on “the leaves of their memory,” and they passed down their history orally from one generation to the next. Parents in Euro-America read to their children to put them to sleep, but Hmong children traditionally fell asleep listening to their parents tell Hmong folklores and their own family history. Storytelling and history- telling were important parts of traditional Hmong culture and livelihood. A Hmong child who learned the most Hmong folklores and knew the most about the family’s history often grew up to become the leader of the family and the clan. Today, the keeper of the family’s past is still the leader of the family and the clan. A Hmong leader knows all the secrets of his family and clan, and he is responsible for resolving all disputes involving his family and clan. Despite this significance, history, I admit, has not always been my chosen field of academic inquiry. First, I previously had no strong motivation to do written history because written history, for the Hmong, was secondary to their oral tradition.
    [Show full text]
  • Laotian Refugee Parents' Perceptions of a "Best Teacher." PUB DATE 1999-00-00 NOTE 45P
    DOCUMENT RESUME ED 431 828 UD 032 971 AUTHOR Norasing, VonMany; Mack, Faite R-P.; Collins, Sherry TITLE Laotian Refugee Parents' Perceptions of a "Best Teacher." PUB DATE 1999-00-00 NOTE 45p. PUB TYPE Reports Research (143) EDRS PRICE MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Asian Americans; Cultural Differences; Elementary Secondary Education; *Laotians; *Parent Attitudes; *Refugees; Teacher Characteristics; *Teacher Effectiveness ABSTRACT The perceptions of Laotian refugee parents about what constitutes a "best teacher" were studied. The study focused on the Lao Loum ethnic group, and did not include members of Hmong or other ethnic minority groups. Twenty-eight Likert-based interviews were conducted with Laotian refugee parents residing in 5 states in the United States. Parent responses indicated that the "best teacher" would be Asian, teach at the high school level, and be male. They thought that the best teacher would be able to manage disruptive behavior and enforce fair discipline while demonstrating punctuality and good attendance. The best teacher would accept constructive criticism in a positive manner, be fair with regard to issues of race and ethnicity, and fair to both genders. Parents were not interested in having the teacher reward positive behavior rather than punishing negative behavior, nor did they value high expectations for all students, demanding grading, and effective communication with students at their levels of learning. The perceptions about a best teacher may reflect prior experiences of these parents in Laos, and may not concur with characteristics identified in the United States for superior teachers. (Contains 28 figures and 75 references.) (SLD) ******************************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 China's Foreign Aid and Investment Diplomacy in Southeast Asia
    Notes 1 China’s Foreign Aid and Investment Diplomacy in Southeast Asia 1 . John F. Copper, China’s Foreign Aid: An Instrument of Peking’s Foreign Policy (Lexington, MA: D. C. Heath, 1976), pp. 27–28. 2 . Jay Taylor, China and Southeast Asia: Peking’s Relations with Revolutionary Movements (New York: Praeger, 1974), p. 5. 3 . Bernard Fall, Street without Joy (Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole, 1961), p. 27, and Robert Shaplen, The Lost Revolution (New York: Harper and Row, 1966), p. 69. 4 . Taylor, China and Southeast Asia , p. 5. 5 . J. J. Zasloff, “The Role of the Sanctuary in Insurgency, Communist China’s Support for the Vietminh, 1946–1954,” Rand Corporation Memorandum RM-4618TR, May 1967, p. 5. 6 . Taylor, China and Southeast Asia, p. 9 and 13. 7 . Copper, China’s Foreign Aid , p. 28. 8 . Chu Hao, “Enduring Ties: Sino-Vietnamese Relations Witness Their 60th Anniversary amid High Hopes,” Beijing Review , January 14, 2010, p. 14. 9 . Taylor, China and Southeast Asia , p. 7. Secretary of State Dean Acheson said at the time: “The choice confronting the U.S. is to support the legal governments of Indochina or to face the extension of Communism over the remainder of the continental area of Southeast Asia and possibly westward.” See Pentagon Papers (New York: Bantam Books, 1962), p. 36. 10 . Hao, “Enduring Ties,” p. 14. The author contends that the Geneva agreements could not have been reached had it not been for China’s aid. 11 . Taylor, China and Southeast Asia , p. 18. 12 . Copper, China’s Foreign Aid , p.
    [Show full text]
  • Governs the Making of Photocopies Or Other Reproductions of Copyrighted Materials
    Warning Concerning Copyright Restrictions The Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research. If electronic transmission of reserve material is used for purposes in excess of what constitutes "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. University of Nevada, Reno Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Immigrants and Their Descendants in Argentine Audiovisual Popular Culture A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and the Honors Program by Christopher A.A. Gomez May, 2014 UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA THE HONORS PROGRAM RENO We recommend that the thesis prepared under our supervision by CHRISTOPHER A.A. GOMEZ entitled Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Immigrants and Their Descendants in Argentine Audiovisual Popular Culture be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of BACHELOR OF ARTS, SPANISH ______________________________________________ Darrell B. Lockhart, Ph.D., Thesis Advisor ______________________________________________ Tamara Valentine, Ph.D., Director, Honors Program May, 2014 i Abstract For the past 40 years, immigration from China, Japan, and Korea has
    [Show full text]
  • Hmong Ruhi Hamid 020905 En.Pdf
    DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR EXTERNAL POLICIES OF THE UNION DIRECTORATE B - POLICY DEPARTMENT - STUDY "The Human Rights Situation in Laos with Particular Emphasis on the Situation of the Hmong People" Abstract: The Hmong people of Southeast Asia are believed to have originated in China, and some scholars argue that their customs preserve many elements of an ancient civilisation from an area that is now China. The expansion of the Han Chinese people forced the resisting Hmong and other indigenous minorities to flee southwards into the northern areas of present-day Laos, Vietnam and Thailand, early in the nineteenth century. Due to a constant cycle of rebellions and brutal reprisals, this process continued for several decades DGExPo/B/PolDep/Note/2005_ 08 02/09/2005 [PE N°] EN This note was requested by the European Parliament's subcommittee on Human Rights. This paper is published in the following languages: English Author: Ruhi Hamid Manuscript completed in September 2005. Copies can be obtained through: E-mail: [email protected] Brussels, European Parliament, 01/09/2005 The opinions expressed in this document are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Parliament. 2 The forgotten Hmong hiding in the jungles of Laos By Ruhi Hamid, Documentary Filmmaker 1st September 2005 1.0 History The Hmong people of Southeast Asia are believed to have originated in China, and some scholars argue that their customs preserve many elements of an ancient civilisation from an area that is now China. The expansion of the Han Chinese people forced the resisting Hmong and other indigenous minorities to flee southwards into the northern areas of present-day Laos, Vietnam and Thailand, early in the nineteenth century.
    [Show full text]
  • Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 109 CONGRESS, FIRSTSESSION
    E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 109 CONGRESS, FIRSTSESSION Vol. 151 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2005 No. 168 House of Representatives The House met at 4 p.m. and was PRAYER May the hopes of Americans be real- called to order by the Speaker pro tem- ized in the new year, and may this pore (Mr. WOLF). The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. manifestation of free democracy in ac- Coughlin, offered the following prayer: tion be a sign of Your blessing upon all f Lord God, the Beginning and the End, the Earth and give You glory, now and DESIGNATION OF THE SPEAKER all natural beauty gives You glory. All forever. Amen. PRO TEMPORE human effort is destined to build Your The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- kingdom of peace and justice. f fore the House the following commu- Bless the finishing work of this First nication from the Speaker: Session of the 109th Congress of the THE JOURNAL WASHINGTON, DC, United States of America. May words The SPEAKER pro tempore. The December 22, 2005. of promise for the good of Your people Chair has examined the Journal of the I hereby appoint the Honorable FRANK R. come to fulfillment and bring good last day’s proceedings and announces WOLF to act as Speaker pro tempore on this day. news to the poor. May laws here en- to the House his approval thereof. J. DENNIS HASTERT, acted be truly implemented with equal- Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- Speaker of the House of Representatives.
    [Show full text]
  • Lao Human Rights Council, Inc., USA P.O
    Lao Human Rights Council, Inc., USA P.O. Box 1606 Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54702 Phone (715) 831-8355 Fax (715) 831-8563 Statement of Dr.Vang Pobzeb, Representative of Hmong People U.N. Commission On Human Rights Sub-commission On the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights U.N Working Group on Indigenous PopnIations,Geneva,Switzertand Twenty-first Session, 21-25 July 2003 Dear Chairperson and Members of the U.N Working Group: I would like to report to you and the U.N High Commissioner for Human Rights that witnesses and people in Laos had reported that the communist Lao and Vietnamese governments have killed over 300,000 Hmong and Lao people in Laos between 1975 and 2003. The killing fields, genocide and ethnic cleansing war against Hmong people in Laos are still going on in 2003. These are" war crimes, crimes against peace and crimes against humanity". The Asia Time of May 5,2003 and Le Monde II of June 5,2003 and many other international news agencies have reported that there is fighting between Hmong and Lao people and the communist Lao government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR) in Laos in 2003.There is an international war in Laos because the communist Vietnamese government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam provided weapons and military supplies to support the communist Lao government to conduct the war against people in Laos. There are many thousands of Vietnamese soldiers who supported the communist Lao government to conduct the war against Hmong people in Laos. The communist Lao government of LPDR had imprisoned many hundreds of people who believed in Christian religion in Laos.
    [Show full text]