For Immediate Release
May 30, 2013 Contact: Conference Press Office
(202) 226.9000
McMorris Rodgers and Royce to Host
Vietnamese American Meetup
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WASHINGTON – House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) will host a Vietnamese American Meetup on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at the United States Capitol. The event will welcome over 800 Vietnamese American community leaders from across the country for an open discussion with House Republicans.
“I’m delighted we’ll have the opportunity to engage in this very important dialogue about the issues most important to the Vietnamese American community,” said Chair McMorris Rodgers. “Vietnamese Americans comprise approximately 12 percent of the U.S. Asian population, and they play an active and instrumental role in our economy and culture. I look forward to hearing from this community as Republicans continue our work to bolster economic growth and create jobs for all Americans.”
“This unique opportunity will allow us to engage with hundreds of Vietnamese-American community leaders,” said Chairman Royce. “This vibrant group includes small business owners, college students, entrepreneurs and tireless advocates for democracy and human rights in Vietnam. As a representative of one of the most ethnically diverse districts, I have long known that the Vietnamese-American community is eager to engage and participate. This outreach effort will provide important dialogue among members of Congress and Vietnamese Americans – to discuss important issues facing our country.”
“Vietnamese Americans across generations and across America have come together to advance our community’ s interests, contribute to society at large, and promote human rights for loved ones in Vietnam,” said Dr. Thang Nguyen, Executive Director of Boat People SOS, a national Vietnamese American community organization aimed to empower Vietnamese individuals. “We appreciate Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Chairman Ed Royce extending an invitation to us this year, on behalf of the House Republicans, to join them for a day of meetings in the Capitol, and are proud to say that this year over 800 community advocates from some 30 states will gather on Capitol Hill to engage their members of Congress in specific actions. We are confident that the event will empower and inspire many more Vietnamese Americans to become civically engaged and politically active.”
The Vietnamese American Meetup is part of an ongoing series of “Meetup” discussions hosted by the House Republican Conference to engage with various constituencies about important issues. The Meetup will include a press availability in the U.S. Capitol House Triangle at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 4. Additional details on the press event are forthcoming.
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