Reaffirm Commitment to Freedom During Black April

Floor Speech

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Mr. TRAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to mark the beginning of the most solemn month of the year for Vietnamese Americans and diaspora. We refer to this month as Black April, or Thang Tu Den, because so many of us lost our homes, our livelihoods, and our country.

My own parents escaped brutal oppression at the hands of the Vietnamese Communist Government and came to this country seeking the freedom and democracy that had been ripped away from them in the country of their birth.

This year, we recognize the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. In the years since, hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese Americans have built vibrant communities in the United States that have enriched our Nation and strengthened our communities.

By recognizing Black April, we honor those who sacrificed their lives for freedom, including members of the South Vietnamese military who fought alongside American allied forces. We also honor the immense hardships endured by the refugees as they embarked on the perilous journey to seek refuge and rebuild their lives.

I am so proud to be the first Vietnamese American to represent Orange County's Little Saigon community in Congress. Home to the largest Vietnamese diaspora in the world, Little Saigon is a beacon of hope and testament to the resiliency of our community.

I am proud to tell the story of our community on the floor of the United States House of Representatives to ensure that no communist regime can rewrite our history.

As we mark this solemn milestone, let us reaffirm our commitment to freedom and human rights and honor the indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese diaspora.

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