E1958 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 24, 2002 Dr. Brook’s involvement in the Houston Jew- Annalisa has not only made her community Mr. Bounthone Rathigna, Mr. Thongchanh ish community began in 1959 when he joined proud, but also her state and country. On be- Boulum, Col. Khamthene Chinyavong and the board of the Congregation Emanu El half of the citizens of Colorado, I ask the Baramy Mitthivong, of the United League for Brotherhood. From there, Dr. Brook continued House to join me in extending thanks and con- Democracy in Laos, Inc.; The Honorable Dr. his support for the congregation by serving as gratulations to Miss Annalisa Moline for her Sin Vilay, of the Royal Laos Foundation; Mr. chairman on both the Religious School Com- service and contributions to the United States. Bounleung Ngonevolalath; Col. Khambang mittee and the Administration and Personnel f Sibounheuang—decorated officer and ‘‘White Committee. In addition, he was a member of Dragon Two’’ author—and his colleague, Mr. the Board of Trustees from 1973–2000, dem- COMMENDING THE LAO AND Eugene Prater, of the Lao Nationalist Reform onstrating his leadership as board treasurer, HMONG-AMERICAN COMMUNITY Party; Bon and Laura Xiong, Hubert Yang, vice president, senior vice president, and then OF RHODE ISLAND Chuhu Xiong, Xieng Xiong and Ying Xiong, of president of the Congregation Emanu El from the Hmong International Human Rights Watch 1989 until 1991. HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY and Hmong Reform Party; Mr. Moua Sao, of Additionally, Dr. Brook has been extremely OF RHODE ISLAND Lan Xang Democracy, Inc. and son of the leg- active in the Jewish community nationally, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES endary Hmong resistance leader Cher Pao playing an instrumental role in the establish- Thursday, October 24, 2002 Moua; Dr. Kayasith Rattanavongkoth, of the ment of several programs, including the Beck- national Laotian-American Association; Jac- er Preschool Program. As chairman of the Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speak- queline Sun; Dr. Edward Samada, Inter- Leadership Planning Conference of the Presi- er, concerned individuals and organizations national Buddhist Fellowship; Pastor Pat dents of Large Congregations at the Union of from the Laotian-American community in my Kearney; Pastor Sidney Kahn; Mr. Kingsavanh American Hebrew Congregations from 1990 to district in Rhode Island and throughout the Pathammavong, researcher, Lao history and 1998, Dr. Brook demonstrated his commitment United States participated in key sessions of culture; Mrs. Bounchan Senthavong, Lao to the larger Reform movement through his the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos, held Community Advisor; Col. Thai C. Vang, Col. exceptional leadership skills. on both July 17 and October 1, 2002, in the Wangyee Vang, Cherzong Vang, Mr. Chang Ed Brook’s compassionate demeanor U.S. House of Representatives. They pre- Ger Xiong, Nao Lue Kue, Mr. Toua Kue, Xia stretches far beyond the care he provides to sented testimony and provided critical informa- Xu Kue and many others from the Lao Vet- his patients, as he is a devoted husband, fa- tion to the Congress about the deteriorating erans of America, Inc.; Touy Manikham, ther, and grandfather. He and his wife Davna human rights situation in Laos and the plight former RLAF pilot; Professor Onsy Inthavong, are the loving parents of Julie and Drew Alex- of missing Lao student leaders, political and Mr. Vanhlang Khamsouk, Manisakhone ander, Helen and John Brook, and Sara religious dissidents as well as the ongoing Sinhbandith and Nick Hanthaley, of the Fed- Brook, as well as the proud grandparents of persecution and horrific massacre of minority eration for Free Elections in Laos; Mrs. Yer five. peoples, including the Hmong people in the Ly, daughter of missing Hmong-American, Mr. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Edward Brook is truly a closed areas of Saysamboun Special Zone Houa Ly; Mr. Bee Moua, Representative, committed civic leader, as well as a distin- and Xieng Khouang Province. Chao Fa Party; Mr. Bounheuang Manivong, guished health care professional. I applaud Mr. Speaker, right now many Laotian and Editor, Phendin Lao Magazine; Miss the Texas Medical and Health Professions Di- Hmong-Americans in Rhode Island have fam- Ratdavone Yotharath, President, Miss Lao- vision, State of Israel Bonds in recognizing his ily members who are still suffering and dying American, Inc. of Rhode Island; Mr. Vue Lee, selflessness and commitment to the public in Laos under the brutal Pathet Lao regime. I Hmong Community Advisor and businessman; good. I also commend Dr. Edward Brook on am concerned that Laos remains a one-party Mr. Southalavong Boutah, Lao Veterans Asso- receiving this award and more importantly, his Communist system that has nearly bankrupt ciation; and, George Vue and Dr. Houa Yang, work to provide necessary dental services to the nation—both economically and morally, in of the Hmong National Council, Inc. as well as the residents of the Houston community and terms of the lack of basic human rights and so many others. to promote the health of citizens from all walks fundamental freedoms, including lack of reli- Mr. Speaker, I remain deeply concerned of life. gious freedom. about the plight of the suffering people of Laos f Mr. Speaker, it is important to honor and and the deplorable human rights and eco- thank Mr. Thongsavanh Phongsavan, and his nomic situation under the current Pathet Lao TRIBUTE TO ANNALISA MOLINE colleagues from North Providence, Rhode Is- regime. I join my colleagues in Congress in land, who have helped to so honorably rep- commending the Lao and Hmong-American HON. BOB SCHAFFER resent the Laotian-American community in community and the U.S. Congressional Forum OF COLORADO Rhode Island as well as the Lao-American on Laos for the important effort they have put IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Council and the Lao Progressive Institute of forward to help raise further awareness about Thursday, October 24, 2002 Rhode Island. I also want to recognize and the difficult situation in Laos, including human Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today commend Mr. Philip S. Smith, Executive Di- rights violations, religious and ethnic persecu- to recognize Miss Annalisa Moline of Denver, rector, of the Center for Public Policy Analysis tion—and the terrible plight of missing Lao stu- Colorado. Annalisa is the first resident at the for his important work and leadership in help- dent leaders and Hmong-Americans. fifth, and newest, Colorado State Veterans ing to coordinate the U.S. Congressional f Forum on Laos with Members of Congress as Home located at the old Fitzsimons VA facility HONORING MARTY DRIESLER in Denver. well as assisting the freedom-loving people of An immigrant from Sweden, Annalisa Moline Laos in Rhode Island and elsewhere in the grew up in South Dakota where she graduated Laotian Diaspora community. Special recogni- HON. DAVID VITTER from high school in 1924. Upon graduation, tion and thanks also to: Mrs. Nouamkham OF LOUISIANA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES she moved to New York to become a nurse Khamphylavong, Mr. Aly Chantala, Mr. and in 1940 joined the Army because she Oudong Saysana and the members of the Thursday, October 24, 2002 said, ‘‘I thought I should always do something ‘‘Lao Students Movement for Democracy’’; Mr. Mr. VITTER. Mr. Speaker, it is such an better.‘‘ T. Kumar, Amnesty International; Ms. Christine honor and privilege to serve in the United Mr. Speaker, Annalisa Moline was stationed Hines and Mr. John Tai, of the U.S. Commis- States House of Representatives. This honor in Paltava, Russia where she cared for Amer- sion on International Religious Freedom; Mr. and privilege is made all the greater by the ican pilots sent on bombing runs in Europe. It Paul Martin, U.S. Department of State; Mrs. people I work with on a day to day basis, par- was here that she helped set up a field hos- Kay Danes, former Australian political prisoner ticularly my Chief of Staff, Marty Driesler. pital for the injured while weathering attacks in Laos; Mr. Makram Ouaiss, National Demo- Marty has toiled for the betterment of her from German bombers. For her courage and cratic Institute; His Excellency Kat Dittavong, country for more than thirty years by working honor during this period she was awarded the former Royal Lao Ambassador to Thailand as the chief of staff of two members of Con- Bronze Star for valor. She came home from 1973–75; Mr. Prakian Viravong, of the ‘‘De- gress, a campaign consultant, a political fund- World War II with the rank of major and put in cember 14’’ organization, as well as a distin- raiser, and in various high level administrative another ten years of service with the Veterans guished Lao poet and author; Mr. Khampoua jobs working with key state and local govern- administration. In 1995, Annalisa was awarded Naovarangsy, of the Laos Institute for Democ- ment officials. the highest honor for nurses in Colorado, the racy; Mr. Bounchaloune Phouthakhanty; Mr. For the past three years, I have been fortu- Nightingale Award. Alan Sananikone, Col. Bounmee Sananikone, nate to benefit from her service as my chief of VerDate 0ct<09>2002 01:13 Oct 25, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A24OC8.015 E24PT1 October 24, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1959 staff. Her profound experience and encyclo- DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN IN HONOR OF SWEET HONEY IN pedic knowledge of the workings of Congress REVOLUTION THE ROCK AND THE COMMIT- have aided in my growth as a congressman. MENT OF THE GROUP TO THE Much more importantly, her basis goodness, HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN PURSUIT OF FULL CONGRES- sound judgment, and wonderful sense of OF NEW YORK SIONAL VOTING RIGHTS FOR humor have allowed me to grow as a person.