FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2004
CONTACT:
Hung Nguyen (877) 592-4140
Nam Pham (617) 448-9794
VIETNAMESE AMERICANS FIGHT FOR FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY
The Vietnamese
American community is deeply disturbed by comments made by
Senator Evan Bayh, a Democrat from Indiana, and President George
W. Bush. In this election year, Vietnam is often invoked for
political gains. However, the contributions of Vietnamese
Americans to the economy, to education, to social services and
to defending fundamental human values have not been praised nor
acknowledged.
On the September 16, 2004 edition of CNN’s “NewsNight
with Aaron Brown,” the host asked Senator Evan Bayh, “Is it
still inappropriate to use the term Vietnam, to start talking
about Vietnam references?” Senator Bayh responded, “Well,
Vietnam was a little bit different. That was a national
struggle, and we were on the wrong side in that national
struggle, or at least the side of -- we did not stand for a
legitimate government there.”
On the September 27, 2004 edition of “The
O’Reilly Factor,” O’Reilly asked President Bush, “The South
Vietnamese didn’t fight for their freedom, which is why they
don’t have it today.” President Bush responded, “Yes.”
Many former South Vietnamese and Montagnards fought alongside
U.S. Armed Forces for freedom, the right to self-determination
and a democratic system of governance. 1.2 million Former South
Vietnamese and their children are living in the U.S. Without
regard for any past or current administrations, Vietnamese
Americans have supported the Vietnam Human Rights Act, which
passed the U.S. House of Representatives in 2001 (HR 2833:
410-1, Roll Call 335) and in 2004 (HR 1587: 323-45,
Roll Call
391). We have had bipartisan support for our strong and
continuing support for freedom and democracy.
The contributions and sacrifices of Asian Pacific Americans and
Vietnamese Americans are being ignored. Vietnamese Americans
labor as entrepreneurs to open restaurants, shops and
businesses. Among minority-owned businesses,
we employ 97,035
fellow Americans, with a payroll of $1.1 billion, and generate
receipts of $9.3 billion. Vietnamese Americans are becoming more
visible in sports, politics, media and philanthropy. In addition
to the countless fundraisers across the U.S. in which Vietnamese
Americans raised funds in the aftermath of the events of 9-11, a
Vietnamese American gave $2 million dollars to the American Red
Cross.
Vietnamese Americans have and will continue to sacrifice their
lives to defend freedom and democracy. Vietnamese Americans
fought in the Persian Gulf War and we are on the ground in
Afghanistan and Iraq.
In an election where Asian Pacific Americans are being ignored,
the Vietnamese American community will not be a silent minority
when it comes to defending freedom and democracy in the United
States and in the international community. As a refugee
community that struggles and prospers with each opportunity, we
understand the core values that enable us to believe in and
persevere towards the American dream. We give thanks for living
in a free and democratic society.
Supporting Organizations:
Da Hieu Youth Alliance * National Congress of Vietnamese
Americans (NCVA) * Next Vietnam Foundation * Vietnamese-American
Public Affairs Committee (VPAC) * Vietnamese Professionals
Society – Washington, D.C. Chapter
-30-
Founded in
1986, the National Congress of Vietnamese Americans is a
501(c)(3) nonprofit community advocacy organization working to
advance the cause of Vietnamese Americans in a plural but united
America – e pluribus unum – by participating actively
and fully as civic minded citizens engaged in the areas of
education, culture and civil liberties. (www.ncvaonline.org)
Vietnamese Americans who have
died fighting in Iraq:
Vietnamese Americans fighting in Iraq:
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