Speech #1050102442

I do regret only that it has come up so quickly that many Members who would be here to speak in favor of it were not even aware that it was going to be brought up. It is important that this country. who stood shoulder to shoulder. stood side by side and fighting communism in South Vietnam. stand yet again with those who have been the victims of torture and oppression subsequent to the fall of the South Vietnamese Government. I know because of the many times that I have worked with refugees in California. trying to help their families away from the oppression. that people still face in Vietnam how important this measure is. and I commend the authors for jumping through I do not know how many legislative hoops to get it on this floor today. I would also like to bring. because she was not aware it was going to be on the floor any more than I was before I got the call. that the gentlewoman from California from Orange County and I recently held. with others. a human rights forum and study under the Human Rights Caucus. and the gentlewoman from California and I learned firsthand from the testimony how important this measure is. And so I am sure I join with others. including my colleague from California. in urging support of this bill.