Zoe Lofgren: “I am privileged to join the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Loretta Sanchez) in introducing this resolution in honor of…”

“I am privileged to join the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Loretta Sanchez) in introducing this resolution in honor of Professor Doan Viet Hoat. It is a rare individual who is willing to sacrifice their own personal freedom for the sake of their fellowman, and when we do find such a person, it is important for us in Congress, and society at large, to recognize their achievement and the purpose of their struggle. This journalist spent 19 of the last 21 years in Vietnamese prisons. Dr. Doan repeatedly was arrested for his efforts to bring about political change. He was offered his freedom if he renounced his political views, but he did not succumb to the will of his captors. Instead, despite the temptation of freedom, he continued to write, to smuggle out of prison essays, and to be a leader for freedom in Vietnam. Last year the Vietnamese government released 7,000 prisoners, and Dr. Doan was among them. As a scholar in residence at Washington Catholic University, Dr. Doan remains committed to his fight for Vietnamese democracy. We are pleased he was finally able to receive the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award he won in 1995. I hope that Congress will act swiftly to adopt this resolution of commendation.”