Zoe Lofgren: “I oppose House Joint Resolution 51, and I urge my colleagues to vote against this resolution. I am fortunate to…”

“I oppose House Joint Resolution 51, and I urge my colleagues to vote against this resolution. I am fortunate to represent Santa Clara county, an area in California with a vibrant Vietnamese-American population. Quite a few of my constituents came to San Jose as refugees escaping an oppressive political regime. Over the last 25 years, as the Santa Clara County supervisor, as an administration lawyer, and as a Member of Congress, I have worked closely with these Americans; and many of them have become my friends. I value their knowledge, experience, and support, and believe they have a unique perspective on the United States' relationship with Vietnam. While we are told that the government in Vietnam is making progress in the area of human rights, I continue to hear about religious persecution, political persecution, and unwarranted detentions from my friends in the Vietnamese community. During the past 12 months, the Vietnamese Government has intensified its campaign of brutal oppression, especially against religious leaders and ethnic minorities.”