Recognizing Sovanna Koeurt

Floor Speech

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Mr. HARDER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sovanna Koeurt for her decades of service to the Southeast Asian community in Stockton and the broader San Joaquin Valley.

Ms. Koeurt arrived in Stockton in the early l980's as a refugee from Cambodia following the Khmer Rouge regime. Like many others in her community, she faced significant challenges resettling in a new country after surviving violence and displacement. In the years that followed, she channeled those experiences into building stronger, safer communities.

In 1989, following the tragic shooting at Cleveland Elementary School in Stockton, Ms. Koeurt joined with 34 Southeast Asian refugee families at Park Village Apartments to co-found the Asian Pacific Self- Development and Residential Association, or APSARA. The organization was founded on the belief that communities must come together to advocate for safer, more equitable living conditions.

Under Ms. Koeurt's leadership, APSARA purchased the Park Village complex from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for one dollar in 1993--a landmark act of community ownership and self- determination. Since then, APSARA has grown into a trusted community institution offering affordable housing, youth development, health access, workforce support, and immigrant advocacy.

For more than 30 years, Ms. Koeurt has served as Executive Director of APSARA. Her work has helped ensure that hundreds of families have access not only to housing, but to the tools and resources needed to succeed.

In a 2024 interview, she said, ``I've been here. I love this place because they give a lot of opportunity to everyone.'' Her comments reflect a clear commitment to making Stockton a place where all residents--regardless of background--have the chance to thrive.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Sovanna Koeurt for her leadership and dedication. Her decades of service have had a lasting impact on Stockton's Southeast Asian community and helped create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all residents.

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