Voice of Vietnamese Americans

VVA's Voter Registration and Advocacy Campaign

2012-01-26T13:17:00.000-08:00

Voice of Vietnamese Americans is working to help residents register to vote. We are answering questions about registration and about how to update a new address. The VirginiaGeneral Assembly is in session, and VVA is also mobilizing Virginia residents tocommunicate to their elected officials and to hold them accountable. Working in tandem with other statewideorganizations under the “We Are Virginia”coalition, VVA is managing several phone banks and field operations in FairfaxCounty seven days a week. Voter registration drives will take place each weekend for the next four weeks.

We had a successful and exciting campaign in October2011 with over 15 campaign interns. During this first phase, we helped answer people's voter registration questions. When we asked them what issue concerns them the most, nearly 50 percent of residents said theywere most concerned about the jobs/economy situation in Virginia. Sixteen percentsaid they were most concerned about healthcare. VVA is maintaining relationships with residents to ensure they are updated with what's going on in Richmond.

VVA is still seeking energetic individuals to immediately join this secondphase of our campaign. Tasks consist of knocking on doors aswell as phone calling. The campaign operates seven days a week. Monday-Friday are phone calling days,and we meet at VVA's office in Fairfax, Va. Saturday-Sunday are canvassingdays, and we meet in the neighborhood in Lorton, Va. This is a nonpartisan advocacy campaign. Please call (703) 362-7873or email veleh1025@gmail.com if youare interested. The “We Are Virginia”coalition advocates making and protecting smart investments in Virginia. Formore information on the coalition, visit here.

State of the Union Address 2012

2012-01-24T21:34:00.000-08:00

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President Obama has led the Union with stellar leadership through two wars, a deepest recession in history, winning the global respect as a Peace Prize Nobel Winner 2009 while defeating terrorism and securing firm dialogue with China in the Pacific. After the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, he has worked tirelessly in creating jobs and protecting the American middle class with the first priority in education, cutting taxes, and protecting the environment. Reaching out to the grassroots Americans, he also promotes bi-partisanship in Congress to overcome gridlocks. Voice of Vietnamese Americans congratulates President Obama for his significant accomplishments. "The State of our Union is strong" under President Obama's leadership.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
January 24, 2012
Remarks by the President in State of the Union Address

United States Capitol
Washington, D.C.

9:10 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans:

Last month, I went to Andrews Air Force Base and welcomed home some of our last troops to serve in Iraq. Together, we offered a final, proud salute to the colors under which more than a million of our fellow citizens fought -- and several thousand gave their lives.

We gather tonight knowing that this generation of heroes has made the United States safer and more respected around the world. (Applause.) For the first time in nine years, there are no Americans fighting in Iraq. (Applause.) For the first time in two decades, Osama bin Laden is not a threat to this country. (Applause.) Most of al Qaeda’s top lieutenants have been defeated. The Taliban’s momentum has been broken, and some troops in Afghanistan have begun to come home.

These achievements are a testament to the courage, selflessness and teamwork of America’s Armed Forces. At a time when too many of our institutions have let us down, they exceed all expectations. They’re not consumed with personal ambition. They don’t obsess over their differences. They focus on the mission at hand. They work together.

Imagine what we could accomplish if we followed their example. (Applause.) Think about the America within our reach: A country that leads the world in educating its people. An America that attracts a new generation of high-tech manufacturing and high-paying jobs. A future where we’re in control of our own energy, and our security and prosperity aren’t so tied to unstable parts of the world. An economy built to last, where hard work pays off, and responsibility is rewarded.

We can do this. I know we can, because we’ve done it before. At the end of World War II, when another generation of heroes returned home from combat, they built the strongest economy and middle class the world has ever known. (Applause.) My grandfather, a veteran of Patton’s Army, got the chance to go to college on the GI Bill. My grandmother, who worked on a bomber assembly line, was part of a workforce that turned out the best products on Earth.

The two of them shared the optimism of a nation that had triumphed over a depression and fascism. They understood they were part of something larger; that they were contributing to a story of success that every American had a chance to share -- the basic American promise that if you worked hard, you could do well enough to raise a family, own a home, send your kids to college, and put a little away for retirement.

The defining issue of our time is how to keep that promise alive. No challenge is more urgent. No debate is more important. We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well while a growing number of Americans barely get by, or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules. (Applause.) What’s at stake aren’t Democratic values or Republican values, but American values. And we have to reclaim them.

Let’s remember how we got here. Long before the recession, jobs and manufacturing began leaving our shores. Technology made businesses more efficient, but also made some jobs obsolete. Folks at the top saw their incomes rise like never before, but most hardworking Americans struggled with costs that were growing, paychecks that weren’t, and personal debt that kept piling up.

In 2008, the house of cards collapsed. We learned that mortgages had been sold to people who couldn’t afford or understand them. Banks had made huge bets and bonuses with other people’s money. Regulators had looked the other way, or didn’t have the authority to stop the bad behavior.

It was wrong. It was irresponsible. And it plunged our economy into a crisis that put millions out of work, saddled us with more debt, and left innocent, hardworking Americans holding the bag. In the six months before I took office, we lost nearly 4 million jobs. And we lost another 4 million before our policies were in full effect.

Those are the facts. But so are these: In the last 22 months, businesses have created more than 3 million jobs. (Applause.)

Last year, they created the most jobs since 2005. American manufacturers are hiring again, creating jobs for the first time since the late 1990s. Together, we’ve agreed to cut the deficit by more than $2 trillion. And we’ve put in place new rules to hold Wall Street accountable, so a crisis like this never happens again. (Applause.)

The state of our Union is getting stronger. And we’ve come too far to turn back now. As long as I’m President, I will work with anyone in this chamber to build on this momentum. But I intend to fight obstruction with action, and I will oppose any effort to return to the very same policies that brought on this economic crisis in the first place. (Applause.)

No, we will not go back to an economy weakened by outsourcing, bad debt, and phony financial profits. Tonight, I want to speak about how we move forward, and lay out a blueprint for an economy that’s built to last -– an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.

Now, this blueprint begins with American manufacturing.

On the day I took office, our auto industry was on the verge of collapse. Some even said we should let it die. With a million jobs at stake, I refused to let that happen. In exchange for help, we demanded responsibility. We got workers and automakers to settle their differences. We got the industry to retool and restructure. Today, General Motors is back on top as the world’s number-one automaker. (Applause.) Chrysler has grown faster in the U.S. than any major car company. Ford is investing billions in U.S. plants and factories. And together, the entire industry added nearly 160,000 jobs.

We bet on American workers. We bet on American ingenuity. And tonight, the American auto industry is back. (Applause.)

What’s happening in Detroit can happen in other industries. It can happen in Cleveland and Pittsburgh and Raleigh. We can’t bring every job back that’s left our shore. But right now, it’s getting more expensive to do business in places like China. Meanwhile, America is more productive. A few weeks ago, the CEO of Master Lock told me that it now makes business sense for him to bring jobs back home. (Applause.) Today, for the first time in 15 years, Master Lock’s unionized plant in Milwaukee is running at full capacity. (Applause.)

So we have a huge opportunity, at this moment, to bring manufacturing back. But we have to seize it. Tonight, my message to business leaders is simple: Ask yourselves what you can do to bring jobs back to your country, and your country will do everything we can to help you succeed. (Applause.)

We should start with our tax code. Right now, companies get tax breaks for moving jobs and profits overseas. Meanwhile, companies that choose to stay in America get hit with one of the highest tax rates in the world. It makes no sense, and everyone knows it. So let’s change it.

First, if you’re a business that wants to outsource jobs, you shouldn’t get a tax deduction for doing it. (Applause.) That money should be used to cover moving expenses for companies like Master Lock that decide to bring jobs home. (Applause.)

Second, no American company should be able to avoid paying its fair share of taxes by moving jobs and profits overseas. (Applause.) From now on, every multinational company should have to pay a basic minimum tax. And every penny should go towards lowering taxes for companies that choose to stay here and hire here in America. (Applause.)

Third, if you’re an American manufacturer, you should get a bigger tax cut. If you’re a high-tech manufacturer, we should double the tax deduction you get for making your products here. And if you want to relocate in a community that was hit hard when a factory left town, you should get help financing a new plant, equipment, or training for new workers. (Applause.)

So my message is simple. It is time to stop rewarding businesses that ship jobs overseas, and start rewarding companies that create jobs right here in America. Send me these tax reforms, and I will sign them right away. (Applause.)

We’re also making it easier for American businesses to sell products all over the world. Two years ago, I set a goal of doubling U.S. exports over five years. With the bipartisan trade agreements we signed into law, we’re on track to meet that goal ahead of schedule. (Applause.) And soon, there will be millions of new customers for American goods in Panama, Colombia, and South Korea. Soon, there will be new cars on the streets of Seoul imported from Detroit, and Toledo, and Chicago. (Applause.)

I will go anywhere in the world to open new markets for American products. And I will not stand by when our competitors don’t play by the rules. We’ve brought trade cases against China at nearly twice the rate as the last administration –- and it’s made a difference. (Applause.) Over a thousand Americans are working today because we stopped a surge in Chinese tires. But we need to do more. It’s not right when another country lets our movies, music, and software be pirated. It’s not fair when foreign manufacturers have a leg up on ours only because they’re heavily subsidized.

Tonight, I’m announcing the creation of a Trade Enforcement Unit that will be charged with investigating unfair trading practices in countries like China. (Applause.) There will be more inspections to prevent counterfeit or unsafe goods from crossing our borders. And this Congress should make sure that no foreign company has an advantage over American manufacturing when it comes to accessing financing or new markets like Russia. Our workers are the most productive on Earth, and if the playing field is level, I promise you -– America will always win. (Applause.)

I also hear from many business leaders who want to hire in the United States but can’t find workers with the right skills. Growing industries in science and technology have twice as many openings as we have workers who can do the job. Think about that –- openings at a time when millions of Americans are looking for work. It’s inexcusable. And we know how to fix it.

Jackie Bray is a single mom from North Carolina who was laid off from her job as a mechanic. Then Siemens opened a gas turbine factory in Charlotte, and formed a partnership with Central Piedmont Community College. The company helped the college design courses in laser and robotics training. It paid Jackie’s tuition, then hired her to help operate their plant.

I want every American looking for work to have the same opportunity as Jackie did. Join me in a national commitment to train 2 million Americans with skills that will lead directly to a job. (Applause.) My administration has already lined up more companies that want to help. Model partnerships between businesses like Siemens and community colleges in places like Charlotte, and Orlando, and Louisville are up and running. Now you need to give more community colleges the resources they need to become community career centers -– places that teach people skills that businesses are looking for right now, from data management to high-tech manufacturing.

And I want to cut through the maze of confusing training programs, so that from now on, people like Jackie have one program, one website, and one place to go for all the information and help that they need. It is time to turn our unemployment system into a reemployment system that puts people to work. (Applause.)

These reforms will help people get jobs that are open today. But to prepare for the jobs of tomorrow, our commitment to skills and education has to start earlier.

For less than 1 percent of what our nation spends on education each year, we’ve convinced nearly every state in the country to raise their standards for teaching and learning -- the first time that’s happened in a generation.

But challenges remain. And we know how to solve them.

At a time when other countries are doubling down on education, tight budgets have forced states to lay off thousands of teachers. We know a good teacher can increase the lifetime income of a classroom by over $250,000. A great teacher can offer an escape from poverty to the child who dreams beyond his circumstance. Every person in this chamber can point to a teacher who changed the trajectory of their lives. Most teachers work tirelessly, with modest pay, sometimes digging into their own pocket for school supplies -- just to make a difference.

Teachers matter. So instead of bashing them, or defending the status quo, let’s offer schools a deal. Give them the resources to keep good teachers on the job, and reward the best ones. (Applause.) And in return, grant schools flexibility: to teach with creativity and passion; to stop teaching to the test; and to replace teachers who just aren’t helping kids learn. That’s a bargain worth making. (Applause.)

We also know that when students don’t walk away from their education, more of them walk the stage to get their diploma. When students are not allowed to drop out, they do better. So tonight, I am proposing that every state -- every state -- requires that all students stay in high school until they graduate or turn 18. (Applause.)

When kids do graduate, the most daunting challenge can be the cost of college. At a time when Americans owe more in tuition debt than credit card debt, this Congress needs to stop the interest rates on student loans from doubling in July. (Applause.)

Extend the tuition tax credit we started that saves millions of middle-class families thousands of dollars, and give more young people the chance to earn their way through college by doubling the number of work-study jobs in the next five years. (Applause.)

Of course, it’s not enough for us to increase student aid. We can’t just keep subsidizing skyrocketing tuition; we’ll run out of money. States also need to do their part, by making higher education a higher priority in their budgets. And colleges and universities have to do their part by working to keep costs down.

Recently, I spoke with a group of college presidents who’ve done just that. Some schools redesign courses to help students finish more quickly. Some use better technology. The point is, it’s possible. So let me put colleges and universities on notice: If you can’t stop tuition from going up, the funding you get from taxpayers will go down. (Applause.) Higher education can’t be a luxury -– it is an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford.

Let’s also remember that hundreds of thousands of talented, hardworking students in this country face another challenge: the fact that they aren’t yet American citizens. Many were brought here as small children, are American through and through, yet they live every day with the threat of deportation. Others came more recently, to study business and science and engineering, but as soon as they get their degree, we send them home to invent new products and create new jobs somewhere else.

That doesn’t make sense.

I believe as strongly as ever that we should take on illegal immigration. That’s why my administration has put more boots on the border than ever before. That’s why there are fewer illegal crossings than when I took office. The opponents of action are out of excuses. We should be working on comprehensive immigration reform right now. (Applause.)

But if election-year politics keeps Congress from acting on a comprehensive plan, let’s at least agree to stop expelling responsible young people who want to staff our labs, start new businesses, defend this country. Send me a law that gives them the chance to earn their citizenship. I will sign it right away. (Applause.)

You see, an economy built to last is one where we encourage the talent and ingenuity of every person in this country. That means women should earn equal pay for equal work. (Applause.) It means we should support everyone who’s willing to work, and every risk-taker and entrepreneur who aspires to become the next Steve Jobs.

After all, innovation is what America has always been about. Most new jobs are created in start-ups and small businesses. So let’s pass an agenda that helps them succeed. Tear down regulations that prevent aspiring entrepreneurs from getting the financing to grow. (Applause.) Expand tax relief to small businesses that are raising wages and creating good jobs. Both parties agree on these ideas. So put them in a bill, and get it on my desk this year. (Applause.)

Innovation also demands basic research. Today, the discoveries taking place in our federally financed labs and universities could lead to new treatments that kill cancer cells but leave healthy ones untouched. New lightweight vests for cops and soldiers that can stop any bullet. Don’t gut these investments in our budget. Don’t let other countries win the race for the future. Support the same kind of research and innovation that led to the computer chip and the Internet; to new American jobs and new American industries.

And nowhere is the promise of innovation greater than in American-made energy. Over the last three years, we’ve opened millions of new acres for oil and gas exploration, and tonight, I’m directing my administration to open more than 75 percent of our potential offshore oil and gas resources. (Applause.) Right now -- right now -- American oil production is the highest that it’s been in eight years. That’s right -- eight years. Not only that -- last year, we relied less on foreign oil than in any of the past 16 years. (Applause.)

But with only 2 percent of the world’s oil reserves, oil isn’t enough. This country needs an all-out, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy. (Applause.) A strategy that’s cleaner, cheaper, and full of new jobs.

We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. (Applause.) And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy. Experts believe this will support more than 600,000 jobs by the end of the decade. And I’m requiring all companies that drill for gas on public lands to disclose the chemicals they use. (Applause.) Because America will develop this resource without putting the health and safety of our citizens at risk.

The development of natural gas will create jobs and power trucks and factories that are cleaner and cheaper, proving that we don’t have to choose between our environment and our economy. (Applause.) And by the way, it was public research dollars, over the course of 30 years, that helped develop the technologies to extract all this natural gas out of shale rock –- reminding us that government support is critical in helping businesses get new energy ideas off the ground. (Applause.)

Now, what’s true for natural gas is just as true for clean energy. In three years, our partnership with the private sector has already positioned America to be the world’s leading manufacturer of high-tech batteries. Because of federal investments, renewable energy use has nearly doubled, and thousands of Americans have jobs because of it.

When Bryan Ritterby was laid off from his job making furniture, he said he worried that at 55, no one would give him a second chance. But he found work at Energetx, a wind turbine manufacturer in Michigan. Before the recession, the factory only made luxury yachts. Today, it’s hiring workers like Bryan, who said, “I’m proud to be working in the industry of the future.”

Our experience with shale gas, our experience with natural gas, shows us that the payoffs on these public investments don’t always come right away. Some technologies don’t pan out; some companies fail. But I will not walk away from the promise of clean energy. I will not walk away from workers like Bryan. (Applause.) I will not cede the wind or solar or battery industry to China or Germany because we refuse to make the same commitment here.

We’ve subsidized oil companies for a century. That’s long enough. (Applause.) It’s time to end the taxpayer giveaways to an industry that rarely has been more profitable, and double-down on a clean energy industry that never has been more promising. Pass clean energy tax credits. Create these jobs. (Applause.)

We can also spur energy innovation with new incentives. The differences in this chamber may be too deep right now to pass a comprehensive plan to fight climate change. But there’s no reason why Congress shouldn’t at least set a clean energy standard that creates a market for innovation. So far, you haven’t acted. Well, tonight, I will. I’m directing my administration to allow the development of clean energy on enough public land to power 3 million homes. And I’m proud to announce that the Department of Defense, working with us, the world’s largest consumer of energy, will make one of the largest commitments to clean energy in history -– with the Navy purchasing enough capacity to power a quarter of a million homes a year. (Applause.)

Of course, the easiest way to save money is to waste less energy. So here’s a proposal: Help manufacturers eliminate energy waste in their factories and give businesses incentives to upgrade their buildings. Their energy bills will be $100 billion lower over the next decade, and America will have less pollution, more manufacturing, more jobs for construction workers who need them. Send me a bill that creates these jobs. (Applause.)

Building this new energy future should be just one part of a broader agenda to repair America’s infrastructure. So much of America needs to be rebuilt. We’ve got crumbling roads and bridges; a power grid that wastes too much energy; an incomplete high-speed broadband network that prevents a small business owner in rural America from selling her products all over the world.

During the Great Depression, America built the Hoover Dam and the Golden Gate Bridge. After World War II, we connected our states with a system of highways. Democratic and Republican administrations invested in great projects that benefited everybody, from the workers who built them to the businesses that still use them today.

In the next few weeks, I will sign an executive order clearing away the red tape that slows down too many construction projects. But you need to fund these projects. Take the money we’re no longer spending at war, use half of it to pay down our debt, and use the rest to do some nation-building right here at home. (Applause.)

There’s never been a better time to build, especially since the construction industry was one of the hardest hit when the housing bubble burst. Of course, construction workers weren’t the only ones who were hurt. So were millions of innocent Americans who’ve seen their home values decline. And while government can’t fix the problem on its own, responsible homeowners shouldn’t have to sit and wait for the housing market to hit bottom to get some relief.

And that’s why I’m sending this Congress a plan that gives every responsible homeowner the chance to save about $3,000 a year on their mortgage, by refinancing at historically low rates. (Applause.) No more red tape. No more runaround from the banks. A small fee on the largest financial institutions will ensure that it won’t add to the deficit and will give those banks that were rescued by taxpayers a chance to repay a deficit of trust. (Applause.)

Let’s never forget: Millions of Americans who work hard and play by the rules every day deserve a government and a financial system that do the same. It’s time to apply the same rules from top to bottom. No bailouts, no handouts, and no copouts. An America built to last insists on responsibility from everybody.

We’ve all paid the price for lenders who sold mortgages to people who couldn’t afford them, and buyers who knew they couldn’t afford them. That’s why we need smart regulations to prevent irresponsible behavior. (Applause.) Rules to prevent financial fraud or toxic dumping or faulty medical devices -- these don’t destroy the free market. They make the free market work better.

There’s no question that some regulations are outdated, unnecessary, or too costly. In fact, I’ve approved fewer regulations in the first three years of my presidency than my Republican predecessor did in his. (Applause.) I’ve ordered every federal agency to eliminate rules that don’t make sense. We’ve already announced over 500 reforms, and just a fraction of them will save business and citizens more than $10 billion over the next five years. We got rid of one rule from 40 years ago that could have forced some dairy farmers to spend $10,000 a year proving that they could contain a spill -- because milk was somehow classified as an oil. With a rule like that, I guess it was worth crying over spilled milk. (Laughter and applause.)

Now, I’m confident a farmer can contain a milk spill without a federal agency looking over his shoulder. (Applause.) Absolutely. But I will not back down from making sure an oil company can contain the kind of oil spill we saw in the Gulf two years ago. (Applause.) I will not back down from protecting our kids from mercury poisoning, or making sure that our food is safe and our water is clean. I will not go back to the days when health insurance companies had unchecked power to cancel your policy, deny your coverage, or charge women differently than men. (Applause.)

And I will not go back to the days when Wall Street was allowed to play by its own set of rules. The new rules we passed restore what should be any financial system’s core purpose: Getting funding to entrepreneurs with the best ideas, and getting loans to responsible families who want to buy a home, or start a business, or send their kids to college.

So if you are a big bank or financial institution, you’re no longer allowed to make risky bets with your customers’ deposits. You’re required to write out a “living will” that details exactly how you’ll pay the bills if you fail –- because the rest of us are not bailing you out ever again. (Applause.) And if you’re a mortgage lender or a payday lender or a credit card company, the days of signing people up for products they can’t afford with confusing forms and deceptive practices -- those days are over. Today, American consumers finally have a watchdog in Richard Cordray with one job: To look out for them. (Applause.)

We’ll also establish a Financial Crimes Unit of highly trained investigators to crack down on large-scale fraud and protect people’s investments. Some financial firms violate major anti-fraud laws because there’s no real penalty for being a repeat offender. That’s bad for consumers, and it’s bad for the vast majority of bankers and financial service professionals who do the right thing. So pass legislation that makes the penalties for fraud count.

And tonight, I’m asking my Attorney General to create a special unit of federal prosecutors and leading state attorney general to expand our investigations into the abusive lending and packaging of risky mortgages that led to the housing crisis. (Applause.) This new unit will hold accountable those who broke the law, speed assistance to homeowners, and help turn the page on an era of recklessness that hurt so many Americans.

Now, a return to the American values of fair play and shared responsibility will help protect our people and our economy. But it should also guide us as we look to pay down our debt and invest in our future.

Right now, our most immediate priority is stopping a tax hike on 160 million working Americans while the recovery is still fragile. (Applause.) People cannot afford losing $40 out of each paycheck this year. There are plenty of ways to get this done. So let’s agree right here, right now: No side issues. No drama. Pass the payroll tax cut without delay. Let’s get it done. (Applause.)

When it comes to the deficit, we’ve already agreed to more than $2 trillion in cuts and savings. But we need to do more, and that means making choices. Right now, we’re poised to spend nearly $1 trillion more on what was supposed to be a temporary tax break for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans. Right now, because of loopholes and shelters in the tax code, a quarter of all millionaires pay lower tax rates than millions of middle-class households. Right now, Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than his secretary.

Do we want to keep these tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans? Or do we want to keep our investments in everything else –- like education and medical research; a strong military and care for our veterans? Because if we’re serious about paying down our debt, we can’t do both.

The American people know what the right choice is. So do I. As I told the Speaker this summer, I’m prepared to make more reforms that rein in the long-term costs of Medicare and Medicaid, and strengthen Social Security, so long as those programs remain a guarantee of security for seniors.

But in return, we need to change our tax code so that people like me, and an awful lot of members of Congress, pay our fair share of taxes. (Applause.)

Tax reform should follow the Buffett Rule. If you make more than $1 million a year, you should not pay less than 30 percent in taxes. And my Republican friend Tom Coburn is right: Washington should stop subsidizing millionaires. In fact, if you’re earning a million dollars a year, you shouldn’t get special tax subsidies or deductions. On the other hand, if you make under $250,000 a year, like 98 percent of American families, your taxes shouldn’t go up. (Applause.) You’re the ones struggling with rising costs and stagnant wages. You’re the ones who need relief.

Now, you can call this class warfare all you want. But asking a billionaire to pay at least as much as his secretary in taxes? Most Americans would call that common sense.

We don’t begrudge financial success in this country. We admire it. When Americans talk about folks like me paying my fair share of taxes, it’s not because they envy the rich. It’s because they understand that when I get a tax break I don’t need and the country can’t afford, it either adds to the deficit, or somebody else has to make up the difference -- like a senior on a fixed income, or a student trying to get through school, or a family trying to make ends meet. That’s not right. Americans know that’s not right. They know that this generation’s success is only possible because past generations felt a responsibility to each other, and to the future of their country, and they know our way of life will only endure if we feel that same sense of shared responsibility. That’s how we’ll reduce our deficit. That’s an America built to last. (Applause.)

Now, I recognize that people watching tonight have differing views about taxes and debt, energy and health care. But no matter what party they belong to, I bet most Americans are thinking the same thing right about now: Nothing will get done in Washington this year, or next year, or maybe even the year after that, because Washington is broken.

Can you blame them for feeling a little cynical?

The greatest blow to our confidence in our economy last year didn’t come from events beyond our control. It came from a debate in Washington over whether the United States would pay its bills or not. Who benefited from that fiasco?

I’ve talked tonight about the deficit of trust between Main Street and Wall Street. But the divide between this city and the rest of the country is at least as bad -- and it seems to get worse every year.

Some of this has to do with the corrosive influence of money in politics. So together, let’s take some steps to fix that. Send me a bill that bans insider trading by members of Congress; I will sign it tomorrow. (Applause.) Let’s limit any elected official from owning stocks in industries they impact. Let’s make sure people who bundle campaign contributions for Congress can’t lobby Congress, and vice versa -- an idea that has bipartisan support, at least outside of Washington.

Some of what’s broken has to do with the way Congress does its business these days. A simple majority is no longer enough to get anything -– even routine business –- passed through the Senate. (Applause.) Neither party has been blameless in these tactics. Now both parties should put an end to it. (Applause.) For starters, I ask the Senate to pass a simple rule that all judicial and public service nominations receive a simple up or down vote within 90 days. (Applause.)

The executive branch also needs to change. Too often, it’s inefficient, outdated and remote. (Applause.) That’s why I’ve asked this Congress to grant me the authority to consolidate the federal bureaucracy, so that our government is leaner, quicker, and more responsive to the needs of the American people. (Applause.)

Finally, none of this can happen unless we also lower the temperature in this town. We need to end the notion that the two parties must be locked in a perpetual campaign of mutual destruction; that politics is about clinging to rigid ideologies instead of building consensus around common-sense ideas.

I’m a Democrat. But I believe what Republican Abraham Lincoln believed: That government should do for people only what they cannot do better by themselves, and no more. (Applause.) That’s why my education reform offers more competition, and more control for schools and states. That’s why we’re getting rid of regulations that don’t work. That’s why our health care law relies on a reformed private market, not a government program.

On the other hand, even my Republican friends who complain the most about government spending have supported federally financed roads, and clean energy projects, and federal offices for the folks back home.

The point is, we should all want a smarter, more effective government. And while we may not be able to bridge our biggest philosophical differences this year, we can make real progress. With or without this Congress, I will keep taking actions that help the economy grow. But I can do a whole lot more with your help. Because when we act together, there’s nothing the United States of America can’t achieve. (Applause.) That’s the lesson we’ve learned from our actions abroad over the last few years.

Ending the Iraq war has allowed us to strike decisive blows against our enemies. From Pakistan to Yemen, the al Qaeda operatives who remain are scrambling, knowing that they can’t escape the reach of the United States of America. (Applause.)

From this position of strength, we’ve begun to wind down the war in Afghanistan. Ten thousand of our troops have come home. Twenty-three thousand more will leave by the end of this summer. This transition to Afghan lead will continue, and we will build an enduring partnership with Afghanistan, so that it is never again a source of attacks against America. (Applause.)

As the tide of war recedes, a wave of change has washed across the Middle East and North Africa, from Tunis to Cairo; from Sana’a to Tripoli. A year ago, Qaddafi was one of the world’s longest-serving dictators -– a murderer with American blood on his hands. Today, he is gone. And in Syria, I have no doubt that the Assad regime will soon discover that the forces of change cannot be reversed, and that human dignity cannot be denied. (Applause.)

How this incredible transformation will end remains uncertain. But we have a huge stake in the outcome. And while it’s ultimately up to the people of the region to decide their fate, we will advocate for those values that have served our own country so well. We will stand against violence and intimidation. We will stand for the rights and dignity of all human beings –- men and women; Christians, Muslims and Jews. We will support policies that lead to strong and stable democracies and open markets, because tyranny is no match for liberty.

And we will safeguard America’s own security against those who threaten our citizens, our friends, and our interests. Look at Iran. Through the power of our diplomacy, a world that was once divided about how to deal with Iran’s nuclear program now stands as one. The regime is more isolated than ever before; its leaders are faced with crippling sanctions, and as long as they shirk their responsibilities, this pressure will not relent.

Let there be no doubt: America is determined to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and I will take no options off the table to achieve that goal. (Applause.)

But a peaceful resolution of this issue is still possible, and far better, and if Iran changes course and meets its obligations, it can rejoin the community of nations.

The renewal of American leadership can be felt across the globe. Our oldest alliances in Europe and Asia are stronger than ever. Our ties to the Americas are deeper. Our ironclad commitment -- and I mean ironclad -- to Israel’s security has meant the closest military cooperation between our two countries in history. (Applause.)

We’ve made it clear that America is a Pacific power, and a new beginning in Burma has lit a new hope. From the coalitions we’ve built to secure nuclear materials, to the missions we’ve led against hunger and disease; from the blows we’ve dealt to our enemies, to the enduring power of our moral example, America is back.

Anyone who tells you otherwise, anyone who tells you that America is in decline or that our influence has waned, doesn’t know what they’re talking about. (Applause.)

That’s not the message we get from leaders around the world who are eager to work with us. That’s not how people feel from Tokyo to Berlin, from Cape Town to Rio, where opinions of America are higher than they’ve been in years. Yes, the world is changing. No, we can’t control every event. But America remains the one indispensable nation in world affairs –- and as long as I’m President, I intend to keep it that way. (Applause.)

That’s why, working with our military leaders, I’ve proposed a new defense strategy that ensures we maintain the finest military in the world, while saving nearly half a trillion dollars in our budget. To stay one step ahead of our adversaries, I’ve already sent this Congress legislation that will secure our country from the growing dangers of cyber-threats. (Applause.)

Above all, our freedom endures because of the men and women in uniform who defend it. (Applause.) As they come home, we must serve them as well as they’ve served us. That includes giving them the care and the benefits they have earned –- which is why we’ve increased annual VA spending every year I’ve been President. (Applause.) And it means enlisting our veterans in the work of rebuilding our nation.

With the bipartisan support of this Congress, we’re providing new tax credits to companies that hire vets. Michelle and Jill Biden have worked with American businesses to secure a pledge of 135,000 jobs for veterans and their families. And tonight, I’m proposing a Veterans Jobs Corps that will help our communities hire veterans as cops and firefighters, so that America is as strong as those who defend her. (Applause.)

Which brings me back to where I began. Those of us who’ve been sent here to serve can learn a thing or two from the service of our troops. When you put on that uniform, it doesn’t matter if you’re black or white; Asian, Latino, Native American; conservative, liberal; rich, poor; gay, straight. When you’re marching into battle, you look out for the person next to you, or the mission fails. When you’re in the thick of the fight, you rise or fall as one unit, serving one nation, leaving no one behind.

One of my proudest possessions is the flag that the SEAL Team took with them on the mission to get bin Laden. On it are each of their names. Some may be Democrats. Some may be Republicans. But that doesn’t matter. Just like it didn’t matter that day in the Situation Room, when I sat next to Bob Gates -- a man who was George Bush’s defense secretary -- and Hillary Clinton -- a woman who ran against me for president.

All that mattered that day was the mission. No one thought about politics. No one thought about themselves. One of the young men involved in the raid later told me that he didn’t deserve credit for the mission. It only succeeded, he said, because every single member of that unit did their job -- the pilot who landed the helicopter that spun out of control; the translator who kept others from entering the compound; the troops who separated the women and children from the fight; the SEALs who charged up the stairs. More than that, the mission only succeeded because every member of that unit trusted each other -- because you can’t charge up those stairs, into darkness and danger, unless you know that there’s somebody behind you, watching your back.

So it is with America. Each time I look at that flag, I’m reminded that our destiny is stitched together like those 50 stars and those 13 stripes. No one built this country on their own. This nation is great because we built it together. This nation is great because we worked as a team. This nation is great because we get each other’s backs. And if we hold fast to that truth, in this moment of trial, there is no challenge too great; no mission too hard. As long as we are joined in common purpose, as long as we maintain our common resolve, our journey moves forward, and our future is hopeful, and the state of our Union will always be strong.

Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)

END
10:16 P.M. EST

Happy Year of the Dragon from Voice of Vietnamese Americans

2012-01-23T04:14:00.000-08:00

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Washington, D.C - Saigon, Vietnam: This first day of the Lunar Year of the Dragon 2012, Voice of Vietnamese Americans wishes you a Happy Lunar Year of the Dragon with peace, prosperity, and good health. May all Asian Dragons rise up in a harmonious dance with the Bald Eagle, to ensure global security with sustainable economic development.

Nhân dịp đầu Xuân Nhâm Thìn, Tiếng Nói Người Mỹ Gốc Việt xin kính chúc quý bậc trưởng thượng và quý đồng hương khắp nơi một năm 2012 an khang, thịnh vượng. Xin kính chúc dân tộc đất nước Việt được hồn thiêng sông núi phù trợ, vượt qua các khó khăn hiện thời, nhanh chóng thay đổi thể chế để mở ra một trang sử mới với dân chủ, đa nguyên, đa đảng, đem lại tự do, no ấm, công bằng xã hội cho mọi người dân.

Happy Year of the Dragon 2012!
Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!

The mission of Voice of Vietnamese Americans is to empower Vietnamese Americans by promoting civic engagement through community organizing and capacity building. Voice of Vietnamese Americans enhances, defends, and protects the American core values of human rights, civil rights, democracy, liberty, and justice for all.

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New Year Wishes from the Vietnamese People inside Vietnam - RFA

2012-01-21T15:13:00.000-08:00

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May the Year of the Dragon 2012 brings health, wealth, democracy, liberty and social justice for all in Vietnam.

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President Obama's Lunar New Year Message

2012-01-21T12:13:00.000-08:00

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Voice of Vietnamese Americans thanks President Obama and the First Lady for the gracious wishes to everyone celebrating the Lunar New Year. VVA wishes President Obama, the First Lady and family the best Year of the Dragon 2012. Under the leadership of President Obama, Asia Pacific will rise up to join the Bald Eagle in a harmoniously peaceful Eagle - Dragon Dance with sustainable economic development for all.

Chúc Mừng Năm Mới
Voice of Vietnamese Americans

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"Now is the time ... to make Justice a reality to all"

2012-01-16T06:50:00.002-08:00

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I Have a Dream Speech
Martin Luther King's Address at March on Washington
August 28, 1963. Washington, D.C.

When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Voice of Vietnamese Americans invites all to celebrate Dr. King's birthday by visiting the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change. Each of us can light a candle in Dr. King's spirit by our own civic engagement to bring social justice to our society. Visit the King's Center

Kính mời quý bạn cùng vinh danh Tiến Sĩ King trong cuộc tranh đấu cho Nhân Quyền, Dân Quyền của ông . Cả thế giới đang thay đổi theo hướng ông vạch ra: Xã hội Dân Sự đem Dân Quyền, Nhân Quyền đến cho mọi người khắp nơi. Hơn bao giờ hết, chúng ta cần cố gắng tiếp tục con đường này, nhất là tại Việt Nam .

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VVA Rallies with “We Are Virginia” in Richmond

2012-01-13T11:04:00.000-08:00

For Immediate Release Contact: Vel Hernandez
Friday, January13, 2012 (703) 362-7873

VVA Rallies for Opportunity, Sustainability, Equality at “We Are Virginia” Gathering in Richmond

FAIRFAX, Va. (Jan. 13) – Voice of Vietnamese Americans joined dozens of progressive organizations and individuals in Richmond on Wednesday, Jan. 11, to urge legislators to make and protect smart investments in Virginia’s future.

“Virginia is home to tens of thousands of hard-working Vietnamese Americans," Genie Nguyen, VVA President, said. "VVA joins the ‘We Are Virginia’ coalition to stand up for a smart approach to strengthening Virginia’s future for residents of all backgrounds.”

The “We Are Virginia” coalition, which pushes for opportunity, sustainability and equality, kicked off its advocacy campaign, Jan. 11. Supporters rallied in Capitol Square as Virginia legislators entered their General Assembly offices on the session’s opening day.

“When it comes to fighting for access to healthcare, education and other basic services, we cannot let extreme agendas and special interests drown out the voices and needs of hard-working Virginians," Ms. Nguyen said.

Supporters also delivered goodie bags to the offices of all 140 legislators. The bags included a flashlight to represent the coalition’s push to shine a light on voting rights and a surgical mask to support a health-care exchange.

The coalition, led by the Virginia Civic Engagement Table, consists of separate advocacy and nonprofit organizations, such as VVA, Virginia Organizing and Sierra Club.

See also: Coverage from The Washington Post and The Virginian-Pilot.

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A Discussion with Richard Cordray, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director hosted by Brookings

2012-01-05T15:13:00.000-08:00

Source:https://www.brookings.edu/events/2012/0105_cordray.aspx

On January 5, the Brookings Institution hosted Richard Cordray, the former attorney general of Ohio and newly appointed director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, for a conversation on his vision for the new consumer agency.

Voice of Vietnamese Americans congratulates the American Consumers for having a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director, Mr. Cordray, who is very qualified for the tremendous responsibility. Attending the discussion with Mr. Cordray this morning, Genie Nguyen from VVA felt very assured that our American consumer finance will be well protected. We thank President Obama for taking decisive leadership in this long overdue matter.

Sau nhiều biến động về tài chánh đưa đến khủng hoảng kinh tế, người tiêu thụ Hoa Kỳ cần được bảo đảm là họ không bị các "Cá Mập Tài Chánh" lừa đảo, cho mượn nợ với tiền lời tăng vọt, dùng nhiều điều lập lờ trong tín dụng để đánh bẫy con nợ, khiến nhiều người phải phá sản, mất nhà. Ngày 4 tháng 1, Tổng Thống Obama đã quyết định bổ nhiệm ông Richard Cordray làm Giám Đốc Cơ Quan Bảo Vệ Tài Chánh cho Người Vay Nợ, (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau), để thúc đẩy các ngân hàng thi hành đúng các cải tổ tài chánh trong việc bảo vệ người dân. Genie Nguyễn của VVA tham dự buổi nói chuyện với ông Cordray sáng nay, và nhận thấy ông là người rất đáng tín nhiệm, với nhiều kinh nghiệm, và rất nhiệt tâm giúp bảo vệ người dân. Xin cảm ơn Tổng Thống Obama.

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Detention of Bui Thi Minh Hang

2012-01-05T06:04:00.000-08:00

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Bui Thi Minh Hang is a land rights activist who recently emerged as a prominent critic of the Chinese government. She participated in Sunday protests against Chinese territorial claims on the Spratly and Paracel islands that took place in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City between June and August.

Police arrested Bui Thi Minh Hang, 47, on November 27 outside Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City for allegedly “causing public disorder.” She was conducting a silent protest against the arrests of peaceful protesters in Hanoi earlier that morning. The next day the police ordered her detained without trial at the “education center.”

http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/01/04/vietnam-free-peaceful-activist

Voice of Vietnamese Americans stands in solidarity with the Vietnamese People, urging the CPV to conform to the United Nations Declaration of Universal Human Rights, to immediately release Ms Bui Thi Minh Hang and all other peaceful protestors who protest against the CPC invasion.

U.S. Embassy in Hanoi - Vietnam
Press Release
Detention of Bui Thi Minh Hang

HANOI, January 5, 2012 – The U.S. Embassy is deeply concerned by reports that Bui Thi Minh Hang has been sentenced without trial to up to two years in a reeducation camp in Vietnam for participating in a peaceful protest. This lack of due process contradicts Vietnam’s commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Bui Thi Minh Hang participated in peaceful protests related to the South China Sea last year.

We call on the Vietnamese government to release Ms. Hang and all political prisoners, and affirm that no person should be imprisoned for exercising their freedoms of expression or peaceful assembly, or any internationally recognized human right. The United States regularly urges the Government of Vietnam to release unconditionally all individuals imprisoned for expression of their views.

Cooperation on human rights remains an important facet of our bilateral relationship. We continue to urge the Government of Vietnam to respect internationally recognized human rights.

THÔNG CÁO BÁO CHÍ:
Việc bắt giữ Bùi Thị Minh Hằng

Hà Nội, 5/1/2012 – Đại sứ quán Hoa Kỳ quan ngại sâu sắc bởi những tin tức tường thuật rằng Bùi Thị Minh Hằng đã bị kết án không qua xét xử tới 2 năm giam giữ tại một trại cải tạo ở Việt Nam vì đã tham gia vào một cuộc biểu tình ôn hoà. Sự việc không theo trình tự chuẩn mực này mâu thuẫn với cam kết của Việt Nam đối với Tuyên ngôn Nhân quyền Toàn cầu. Bùi Thị Minh Hằng đã tham gia vào các cuộc biểu tình ôn hoà liên quan đến Biển Đông hồi năm ngoái.

Chúng tôi kêu gọi Chính phủ Việt Nam thả bà Hằng và tất cả các tù chính trị, và khẳng định rằng không ai đáng bị bỏ tù vì thực hiện quyền tự do ngôn luận hay quyền hội họp ôn hoà hay bất cứ quyền con người nào được quốc tế công nhận. Hoa Kỳ vẫn thường xuyên thúc giục Chính phủ Việt Nam thả vô điều kiện mọi cá nhân bị bỏ tù vì bày tỏ quan điểm của mình.

Hợp tác về nhân quyền vẫn là một mặt quan trọng trong mối quan hệ song phương giữa hai nước. Chúng tôi tiếp tục thúc giục Chính phủ Việt Nam tôn trọng nhân quyền được quốc tế công nhận.

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GOP Presidential Race in Iowa: Can voice of the 99% be heard?

2012-01-03T06:50:00.000-08:00

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Today, Tuesday January 3, 2012, GOP kicks off their presidential race in Iowa.

With all the challenges Americans are facing, domestically as well as globally, observers keep close watch for potential leadership in the GOP. The House of Representative, led by GOP since 2010, has been criticized as out of touch and not able to connect with 99% of Americans. Many scholars from prestigious think tanks have noted the dysfunctional Congress as a threat to the US Economy, Security, and Global Power.

The New York Times published a debate "What Do Iowans Want in a Candidate?", noting pressing questions about the economy, jobs, and immigration.

Brookings noted that in the GOP race to win the Iowa caucuses, polls have tracked wild swings in voter opinion and the lead has changed hands almost from week to week among the contenders.

The latest polls have Mitt Romney, Rich Santorum, and Ron Paul as the top three potential winners in Iowa.

In an interview on December 30, James Lindsay, Vice President Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair, Council on Foreign Relations, observed that the GOP Presidential Candidates not showing specific policy for foreign affairs, in comparing to the incumbent president. "There are probably differences of degree among those candidates, and while they clearly argue that they would produce a better foreign policy than Barack Obama, it's not clear just how different their foreign policy would be."

Lindsay also emphasized: "One thing always to keep in mind in campaigns, as we listen to what candidates say about what they will do, is that campaigning is not governing. Campaigning is about making promises. Governing is about making choices."

Watch Hours Before Caucuses, Many Iowan Voters Still Undecided Over GOP Contenders on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.

BBC provides a quick chart for Republican candidates on the issues

REPUBLICAN HOPEFULS
• Mitt Romney: Ex-Massachusetts governor and Mormon; presumed front-runner though doubts remain for some over his conservative credentials
• Rick Perry: Texas governor; once seen as a conservative alternative to Mr Romney, his campaign has been damaged by a series of gaffes
• Ron Paul: Texas congressman and, at 76, oldest in race. Libertarian-minded, with a band of devoted followers
• Rick Santorum: Ex-Pennsylvania senator and social conservative. Nearly written off, but seen late surge in support in Iowa
• Newt Gingrich: Ex-House of Representatives' speaker; Briefly led the field, but support collapsed amid a fusillade of attacks ads
• Michele Bachmann: Minnesota congresswoman and outspoken favourite of the Tea Party, her campaign has faltered in recent months
• Jon Huntsman: Ex-Utah governor and Mormon. Has decided not to run in Iowa and concentrate efforts on New Hampshire's primary

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Happy New Year: VVA Congratulates the Power of the People in 2011

2011-12-31T20:29:00.000-08:00

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On December 22, Voice of Vietnamese Americans joined many representatives from many grassroots organizations in supporting President Obama to call for a bi-partisan approach from Congress to pass the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 - To extend the payroll tax holiday, unemployment compensation, Medicare physician payment, provide for the consideration of the Keystone XL pipeline, and for other purposes.

Shortly afterward, Speaker of the House, Congressman John Boehner (R-OH), made statement saying the GOP agreed to compromise.

The Bill was signed into law by President Obama on December 23, 2011.

This very Act ensures that 160 millions of Americans with income of $50,000/ year would not see tax raised on their paycheck starting January 2012; 2 millions of unemployed Americans are now ensured their families have food on the table while they continue looking for jobs; 48 millions of senior Americans can rest assured that they can still receive adequate health care during this winter, and our fragile economy can have the chance to recover.

Happy New Year 2012 - VVA Radio Message: Power of the People in 2011 - Voice of Vietnamese Americans thanks all who have participated in civic engagement in 2011 and invites all to join us for a more exciting year in 2012.

Chúc Mừng Năm Mới 2012 - Chương trình phát thanh của VVA với chủ đề Gió Đáy: Sức Mạnh của Người Dân trong năm 2011 - Tiếng Nói Người Mỹ Gốc Việt xin thành thật cảm ơn sự đóng góp và hỗ trợ của quý đồng hương trong năm 2011. Xin kính mời tất cả cùng tham gia mạnh mẽ hơn nữa để viết trang sử mới năm Nhâm Thìn 2012.

Audio files of VVA Radio Messages:

http://vnwashingtondc.com/dai/2011/1226/lapphapcongdong.mp3

VVA Radio message on Vietnamese American Broadcasting Radio - Dr. Quan X Dinh reviews important issues in 2011 with projection for 2012.

Chương trình phát thanh cuối năm của VVA. TS Đinh Xuân Quân bàn về các vấn đề chính năm 2011 tại VN - Hoa Kỳ - Trung Cộng .

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VVA Holiday Greetings 2011 - VVA Chuc Mung Giang Sinh 2011

2011-12-24T07:44:00.000-08:00

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Nhân dịp Lễ Giáng Sinh, Voice of Vietnamese Americans xin kính chúc các bậc trưởng thượng, quý thân hữu và quý đồng hương một Giáng Sinh nhiều ơn phước, một Năm Mới bình tâm, an toại.

Wishing you a very merry Christmas, a New Year filled with love, happiness, hope, and successes.

May All Dreams Come True

Voice of Vietnamese Americans

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Voice of Vietnamese Americans Congratulates "We the People" in Ushering in the Bi-Partisanship Agreements of the US Congress

2011-12-23T02:10:00.000-08:00

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 23, 2011

Washington, D.C: Voice of Vietnamese Americans congratulates the people of the United States for raising our voice in the passing of the Social Security Payroll Tax Cut Extension, leading to the final bipartisan agreement of Congress to pass the Bill. We the People have fully taken the burden placed upon us by the Constitution of the United States, and our engagement has put the nation in a much better path forward.

On December 22, 2011, more than 30,000 Americans have voiced their concerns about the Social Security Payroll Tax Cut Bill - HR 3630 - after being passed with 89/10 in the Senate, was being held up by the GOP in the House on 12/ 20 and a blocking of vote on December 21. The devastating results would have caused 160 million average income Americans to suffer tax increase of at least $1000/ yr by January, 2 million unemployed Americans may not have food on the table, and 48 million seniors dependent on Medicare may not get adequate health care assistance. The overwhelming voice of the American people was accentuated by President Obama in a Press Conference at the White House on December 22.

In the afternoon of December 22, Leader of the Senate - Senator Harry Reid (D- NV) and Leader of the House - Representative John Boehner (R-OH) have reached a bi-partisan agreement to pass the bill. Hundreds of millions of Americans would now have the assurance that our paychecks not being reduced, our families are cared for while we continue looking for jobs, and our seniors can still receive adequate health care .

We thank the leadership of President Obama, of our U.S Senators, and of our U.S. Congressmen. We thank our leaders for their consideration of our role - We the People - as defined in the Constitution of the United States. We urge both parties of both the House and the Senate to keep this bi-partisanship in all future discussion, to ensure the best outcomes for the people of the United States.

As the world is looking up to American values to worship and to follow, more than ever, we the People of the United States are proud to serve and to be engaged.

May God Bless America

Happy Holidays!

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The mission of Voice of Vietnamese Americans is to empower Vietnamese Americans by promoting civic engagement through community organizing and capacity building. Voice of Vietnamese Americans enhances, defends, and protects the American core values of human rights, civil rights, democracy, liberty, and justice for all.

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VVA Congratulates the Bi-partisan Agreement Reached to Extend the Payroll Tax Cut - HR 3630.

2011-12-22T23:31:00.000-08:00

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Voice of Vietnamese Americans congratulates the Bi-partisan agreement reached between the US Senate and the House to pass the Social Security Payroll Tax Cut Extension per request of President Obama based on the interests of the American People. Happy Holidays.

Speaker Boehner spoke about House Republicans' decision to accept Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's proposal to end the House-Senate impasse on extending Social Security payroll tax cuts and unemployment benefits.

Under the strong and inclusive leadership of President Obama, more than 30,000 people from all over the country have been able to voice their concerns within 24hrs. Voice of the People did make the difference in the final decision of both parties, to keep our nation on the right track forward. Voice of Vietnamese Americans thanks President Obama, Leadership of the Senate - Senator Harry Reid (D- NV), and Leadership of the House - Congressman John Boehner (R-OH), for their ability to put the People first.

Happy Holidays.

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President Obama on Social Security Tax Cut Extension

2011-12-22T22:42:00.000-08:00

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H.R.3630 - Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011

A bill to extend the payroll tax holiday, unemployment compensation, Medicare physician payment, provide for the consideration of the Keystone XL pipeline, and for other purposes.

Voice of Vietnamese Americans supports Social Security Payroll Tax Cut Extension. This will affect 160 million average income Americans, 2 million unemployed Americans, and 48 million seniors dependent on Medicare.

VVA advocates for a bi-partisan approach putting the American People first.

Consequences of the GOP's voting down the bipartisan HR3630: 160 million Americans will suffer tax increased by Jan 2012, 2 million unemployed Americans may not have food on the table, 48 million seniors relying on medicare may not receive adequate health care support. Worse, the world will lose confidence in the competency of the US Congress.

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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2011

Statement by the President

For the past several weeks, I’ve stated consistently that it was critical that Congress not go home without preventing a tax increase on 160 million working Americans. Today, I congratulate members of Congress for ending the partisan stalemate by reaching an agreement that meets that test.

Because of this agreement, every working American will keep his or her tax cut – about $1,000 for the average family. That’s about $40 in every paycheck. Vital unemployment insurance will continue for millions of Americans who are looking for work. And when Congress returns, I urge them to keep working to reach an agreement that will extend this tax cut and unemployment insurance for all of 2012 without drama or delay.

This is good news, just in time for the holidays. This is the right thing to do to strengthen our families, grow our economy, and create new jobs. This is real money that will make a real difference in people’s lives. And I want to thank every American who raised your voice to remind folks in this town what this debate was all about. It was about you. And today, your voices made all the difference.

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Voice of Vietnamese Americans Mourns the Loss of Late President Vaclav Havel

2011-12-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

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• Václav Havel, statesman and playwright, born 5 October 1936; died 18 December 2011

Czech Republic in mourning for President Václav Havel

With saddened heart, Voice of Vietnamese Americans mourns the loss of Czechoslovakia Late President Vaclav Havel who passed away on December 18, 2011.

Tiếng Nói Người Mỹ Gốc Việt xin thành kính phân ưu cùng nhân dân nước Cộng Hoà Liên Bang Czech về sự qua đời của Cố Tổng Thống Vaclav Havel. Là người lãnh đạo cuộc Cách Mạng Nhung 1989, Cố Tổng Thống Havel là biểu tượng cho sự tranh đấu đem Tự Do, Dân Chủ, Nhân Quyền, thay cho chủ nghĩa Cộng Sản sai lầm, thối nát, và tàn độc.

With deepest sympathy, Voice of Vietnamese Americans pays condolences to the people of the Czech Republic in the passing of His Excellency Mr. Vaclav Havel. The leader of the 1989 Velvet Revolution, Late President Havel would always be remembered as a symbol of democracy and freedom. His respect for human rights will continue to lead the way for much more works to be done in Vietnam and other communist countries. His legacy will resonate as the core values for humanity and for sustainable world peace.

Václav Havel obituary | World news |

Vaclav Havel, the principled president - By Madeline Albright - US Secretary of State from 1997 to 2001.

Book of Condolence for President Havel opens on Tuesday, December 20 | Embassy of the Czech Republic

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Voice of Vietnamese Americans Congratulates the Bi-Partisanship in the Passing of H.R. 2055

2011-12-17T22:00:00.000-08:00

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"http://house.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2"

Washington D.C, Dec 17, 2011: On December 15, 2011, under the leadership of the House Committee on Rules, the U.S House of Representatives reached the bipartisan agreement to pass H.R.2055. On Saturday December 17, 2011, the U.S. Senate again came to the bipartisan agreement and passed the bill with YEAs 67 - NAYs 32 - Not Voting 1.

H.R. 2055 is a bill making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes.

The measure is the vehicle for making appropriations for most federal government operations for the remainder of FY2012 and to prevent government shutdown.

Voice of Vietnamese Americans congratulates this achievement with much efforts and supports from both parties, and from President Obama.

May the Bipartisanship illustrated in this bill continues to lead the United States through this challenging time of the country.

May God Bless America.

Voice of Vietnamese Americans
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The Library of Congress > THOMAS Home > Bills, Resolutions >

Bill Summary & Status
112th Congress (2011 - 2012)
H.R.2055

H.R.2055
Latest Title: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012
Sponsor: Rep Culberson, John Abney [TX-7] (introduced 5/31/2011) Cosponsors (None)
Related Bills: H.RES.288, H.RES.500
Latest Major Action: 12/16/2011 Conference report agreed to in House. Status: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 296 - 121 (Roll no. 941).
Latest Action: 12/16/2011 Conference papers: Senate report and manager's statement and message on House action held at the desk in Senate.
House Reports: 112-94; Senate Reports: 112-29; Latest Conference Report: 112-331 (in Congressional Record H9004-9428)
Note: The measure is the vehicle for making appropriations for most federal government operations for the remainder of FY2012. The conference report is available at "http://rules.house.gov/Legislation/legislationDetails.aspx?NewsID=667. "

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XML U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 112th Congress - 1st Session

as compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate Bill Clerk under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate

Vote Summary

Question: On the Conference Report (Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2055 )
Vote Number: 235

Vote Date: December 17, 2011, 10:44 AM

Required For Majority: 3/5 Vote Result: Conference Report Agreed to
Measure Number: H.R. 2055 (Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012)

Measure Title: A bill making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes.

Vote Counts: YEAs 67
NAYs 32
Not Voting 1

"http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=112&session=1&vote=00235"

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Welcome Home, Troops: President Obama and the First Lady Speak to Troops at Fort Bragg

2011-12-15T11:23:00.000-08:00

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Welcome home, troops. Voice of Vietnamese Americans congratulates President Obama for the Promise Kept. Our soldiers were ordered by Former President Bush to start the war in Iraq, but did not have to come home in false shame like the Vietnam Veterans. Voice of Vietnamese Americans would like to take this time to sincerely thank all Vietnam Veterans for the honorable services they served in Vietnam. Vietnam Veterans served the Most NOBLE War: the war against Communism in Vietnam.

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcome home troops at Fort Bragg in North Carolina and thank them all for their service. December 14, 2011.

American troops have served in Iraq with honor and distinction since March 19, 2003, but the cost to our nation has been great. December 2011 marks the end of our mission in Iraq, and the fulfillment of a promise Barack Obama made to the American people even before he became President. Now, President Obama has made another promise to the troops and their families: We will fight as hard for them as they return home as they have done for us these past nine years.

Bản Tuyên Ngôn Quốc Tế Nhân Quyền - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights -

2011-12-10T11:05:00.000-08:00

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Voice of Vietnamese Americans urges the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to strictly observe the United Nations Declaration of Universal Hum Rights, issued on December 10, 1948. As a member of the United Nations, Vietnam has the obligation to conform to the UN's rules and regulations.

Voice of Vietnamese Americans believes that the time has come for people everywhere to claim their universal human rights. The time has come for the people in Vietnam. Let us seize the moment. We celebrate that we all born free and equal. Support the global human rights movement.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

VCHR: Open letter to the European Parliament on violations of human rights in Vietnam

Please urge the Vietnamese government to cease their harassment towards Mr. Huynh Ngoc Tuan and his children immediately and unconditionally.

Free Nguyen Tien Trung Immediately

Blogger Dieu Cay loses arm in prison, circumstances unknown. Amnesty International, author

VVA urges the CPV to FREE Cu Huy Ha Vu and all dissidents immediately

Tiếng Nói Người Mỹ Gốc Việt thúc giục nhà cầm quyền nước Cộng Hoà Xã Hội Chủ Nghĩa Việt Nam phải tuyệt đối tôn trọng mọi điều lệ trong Bản tuyên Ngôn Quốc Tế Nhân Quyền, được Liên Hiệp Quốc thông qua ngày 10 tháng 12 năm 1948. Là một thành viên của Liên Hiệp Quốc, nước Cộng Hoà Xã Hội Chủ Nghĩa Việt Nam có bổn phận phải triệt để tuân theo và thi hành đúng đắn các điều luật do Liên Hiệp Quốc đưa ra.

Đã đến lúc Người Việt khẳng định Quyền Làm Người và quyết định vận mệnh của dân tộc Việt: người dân Việt phải được đối xử ngang với mọi con người khác. Có như thế, chúng ta mới có cơ hội phát triển, chen vai sát cánh, ngang hàng với mọi dân tộc khác trên thế giới. Có như thế, chúng ta mới có hy vọng bảo vệ lãnh thổ, lãnh hải, dân tộc, văn hoá Việt trước hoạ Hán xâm. Người Việt đòi hỏi CSVN phải tôn trọng Tuyên Ngôn Quốc Tế Nhân Quyền, trả tự do tức khắc cho mọi tù nhân lương tâm.

Tuyên ngôn Quốc Tế Nhân Quyền là tuyên ngôn về các quyền cơ bản của con người được Đại Hội đồng Liên Hiệp Quốc thông qua ngày 10 tháng 12 năm 1948 tại Palais de Chaillot ở Paris, Pháp. Bản Tuyên ngôn đã được dịch ra ít nhất 375 ngôn ngữ.Tuyên bố phát sinh trực tiếp từ những kinh nghiệm của Thế chiến thứ hai và là tuyên ngôn nhân quyền đầu tiên trên thế giới, trong đó liệt kê các quyền cơ bản mà mọi cá nhân được hưởng. Nó bao gồm 30 điều đã được xây dựng trong các Thỏa ước quốc tế, thỏa ước nhân quyền khu vực, hiến pháp và luật pháp quốc gia. Bộ Luật Nhân quyền Quốc tế bao gồm Tuyên ngôn Quốc tế Nhân quyền, Công ước Quốc tế về các Quyền Kinh tế, Xã hội và Văn hóa, và Công ước Quốc tế về các Quyền Dân sự và Chính trị cùng hai Nghị định thư không bắt buộc I và II. Năm 1966, Đại Hội đồng Liên Hiệp Quốc đã thông qua hai Công ước trên, qua đó hoàn thành cơ bản Bộ Luật Nhân quyền Quốc tế.

Tuyên ngôn Quốc tế Nhân quyền là một khuôn mẫu chung cần đạt tới của mọi quốc gia và mọi dân tộc. Tinh thần của bản Tuyên ngôn là dùng truyền đạt và giáo dục để nỗ lực thúc đẩy các quốc gia thành viên Liên Hiệp Quốc tôn trọng các quyền con người cơ bản được đưa ra trong Tuyên ngôn.

Điều khoản cuối cùng của bản Tuyên ngôn có viết "Không được phép diễn giải bất kỳ điều khoản nào trong Bản tuyên ngôn này theo hướng ngầm ý cho phép bất kỳ quốc gia, nhóm người hay cá nhân nào được quyền tham gia vào bất kỳ hoạt động nào hay thực hiện bất kỳ hành vi nào nhằm phá hoại bất kỳ quyền và tự do nào nêu trong Bản tuyên ngôn này".

Bản Tuyên Ngôn Độc Lập nǎm 1776 của Hiệp Chủng Quốc Hoa Kỳ, đã minh định: “mọi dân tộc trên thế giới đều sinh ra bình đẳng, dân tộc nào cũng có quyền sống, quyền sung sướng và quyền tự do”.

- Bản Tuyên Ngôn Nhân Quyền và Dân Quyền của cách mạng Pháp Quốc nǎm 1791, khẳng định rằng: "Người ta sinh ra tự do và bình đẳng về quyền lợi ; và phải luôn luôn được tự do và bình đẳng về quyền lợi".

- Bản Tuyên Ngôn Quốc Tế Nhân Quyền ra đời bảo vệ giá trị và nhân phẩm con người sống trên toàn thế giới là bất khả xâm phạm được gọi là Nhân Quyền, đã được Đại Hội Đồng Liên Hiệp Quốc thông qua ngày 10 tháng 12 năm 1948.

- Ngay trong bản Tuyên Ngôn Độc Lập của Chính Phủ Lâm Thời Nước Việt Nam Dân Chủ Cộng Hòa vào ngày 2 tháng 9 năm 1945, cũng đã nhấn mạnh thêm một lần nữa: "Tất cả mọi người đều sinh ra có quyền bình đẳng. Tạo Hóa cho họ những quyền không ai có thể xâm phạm được ; trong những quyền ấy, có quyền được sống, quyền tự do và quyền mưu cầu hạnh phúc”. Thế nhưng, đảng Cộng Sản Việt Nam đã bội tín và chà đạp nhân quyền, tước đoạt quyền sống và các quyền tự do căn bản của con người, đồng thời đàn áp khốc liệt bắt người dân Việt phải làm nô lệ cho chủ nghĩa cộng sản. Đây là một sự thật tang thương của dân tộc đã ghi vào lịch sử. Không ai có thể thay đổi sự thật của lịch sử, nhưng người cộng sản đã gian manh uốn nắn và bẻ cong lịch sử để che dấu sự thật nhằm lừa bịp toàn dân Việt Nam.

Tuyên Ngôn Quốc Tế Nhân Quyền

Nguyên văn Bản Tuyên Ngôn Quốc Tế Nhân Quyền, đã được Ðại Hội
Ðồng Liên Hiệp Quốc thông qua và công bố vào ngày 10 tháng 12 năm 1948.

Xét rằng: Sự thừa nhận nhân cách của tất cả con người trong đại gia đình nhân loại và những quyền bình đẳng không thể tước đoạt của họ là nền tảng của tự do, công lý và hòa bình trên thế giới.

Xét rằng: Hành vi xem thường và chà đạp nhân quyền đã dẫn đến những hành động man rợ, xúc phạm đến lương tâm nhân loại. Sự kêu gọi thiết lập một thế giới trong đó tất cả mọi người phải được hưởng quyền tự do ngôn luận, tự do tín ngưỡng, quyền được giải thoát khỏi sự sợ hãi và nghèo khó, phải được tuyên xưng như là ước vọng cao nhất của con người.

Xét rằng: Nhân Quyền cần phải được triệt để bảo vệ bằng luật pháp, để con người không bị bắt buộc phải sử dụng biện pháp cuối cùng là vùng dậy chống lại độc tài và áp bức.

Xét rằng: Mối quan hệ hữu nghị giữa các quốc gia cần được khuyến khích và mở rộng.

Xét rằng: Trong Hiến Chương, các dân tộc của cộng đồng Liên Hiệp Quốc đã lại một lần nữa xác định niềm tin vào những quyền căn bản của con người, vào nhân phẩm và giá trị nhân vị, vào quyền bình đẳng nam nữ và cũng đã quyết định cổ vũ cho các tiến bộ xã hội và cải tiến mức nhân sinh trong bối cảnh ngày càng tự do hơn.

Xét rằng: Các quốc gia hội viên đã cam kết hợp tác với Liên Hiệp Quốc, nhằm cổ vũ việc tôn trọng nhân quyền và các quyền tự do căn bản.

Xét rằng: Một khuôn mẫu chung về nhân quyền và tự do là điều tối quan trọng để có thể thực hiện đầy đủ sự cam kết trên.

Do đó, Ðại Hội Ðồng Liên Hiệp Quốc long trọng công bố Tuyên Ngôn Quốc Tế Nhân Quyền này như là một khuôn mẫu chung cần đạt tới của mọi dân tộc và quốc gia, nhằm giúp cho mọi cá nhân và thành phần của xã hội luôn luôn theo sát tinh thần của Bản Tuyên Ngôn, dùng sự truyền đạt và giáo dục, để nỗ lực phát huy sự tôn trọng các quyền tự do này.

Mặt khác, bằng những phương thức tiến bộ trong phạm vi quốc gia cũng như quốc tế, phải bảo đảm sự thừa nhận và tuân hành Bản Tuyên Ngôn một cách có hiệu lực, không những giữa các dân tộc của các nước hội viên với nhau, nhưng còn giữa những dân tộc sống trên các phần đất thuộc thẩm quyền họ cai quản.

Ðiều 1: Mọi người sinh ra đều được tự do và bình đẳng về nhân phẩm, cũng như quyền lợi. Mọi người đều được phú bẩm về lý trí và lương tâm. Sự đối xử giữa con người với nhau phải được trên tinh thần bác ái.

Ðiều 2: Mọi người đều được hưởng tất cả những quyền và tự do công bố trong Bản Tuyên Ngôn này và không có một sự phân biệt nào, như chủng tộc, màu da, phái tính, ngôn ngữ, tôn giáo, quan điểm chính trị hay tất cả quan điểm khác, quốc tịch hay nguồn gốc xã hội, tài sản, nơi sinh, hay tất cả những hoàn cảnh khác. Hơn nữa, cũng không được có sự phân biệt nào đối với con người sống trên một quốc gia hay trên một lãnh thổ, căn cứ trên cơ chế chính trị, nền tảng luật pháp hay quy chế quốc tế của quốc gia hay lãnh thổ đó. Cho dù quốc gia hay lãnh thổ này độc lập hay dưới sự bảo hộ, không được tự trị hay ở trong tình trạng bị hạn chế về chủ quyền.

Ðiều 3: Mọi người đều có quyền sống, quyền tự do và an ninh thân thể.

Ðiều 4: Không ai bị cưỡng bức làm nô lệ hay tôi đòi. Chế độ nô lệ và buôn bán nô lệ dưới mọi hình thức đều bị nghiêm cấm.

Ðiều 5: Không một người nào phải chịu cực hình, tra tấn, hay bất kỳ hình thức đối xử, hoặc trừng phạt bất nhân, hay có tính cách lăng nhục.

Ðiều 6: Ở bất cứ nơi nào, mỗi người đều có quyền được công nhận tư cách của mình trước pháp luật.

Ðiều 7: Tất cả mọi người đều bình đẳng trước pháp luật, và phải được bảo vệ một cách bình đẳng, không kỳ thị phân biệt. Tất cả đều được quyền bảo vệ ngang nhau, chống lại mọi kỳ thị vi phạm Bản Tuyên Ngôn này, cũng như chống lại mọi khiêu khích dẫn đến kỳ thị như vậy.

Ðiều 8: Mọi người đều có quyền được kháng tố trước các cơ quan tư pháp quốc gia có thẩm quyền về các hành vi vi phạm các quyền căn bản, do Hiến Pháp và Luật Pháp quy định.

Ðiều 9: Không một ai bị bắt bớ, cầm tù hay lưu đày một cách độc đoán.

Ðiều 10: Mọi người đều có ngang nhau quyền được phân xử công khai và công bằng, trước một tòa án độc lập và vô tư, để được phán quyết về các quyền lợi và nhiệm vụ của mình, hay về những tội phạm mà mình bị cáo buộc.

Ðiều 11:
(1) Khi truy tố trước pháp luật, mọi người được xem là vô tội, cho đến khi pháp luật chứng minh là có tội, trong một phiên tòa công khai và tòa án này phải cung ứng tất cả mọi bảo đảm cần thiết cho quyền biện hộ của đương sự.

(2) Không ai có thể bị kết án khi có những hành động hay sơ suất xảy ra vào lúc mà luật pháp của quốc gia hay quốc tế không qui định đó là một hành vi phạm pháp. Tương tự như vậy, không được áp đặt một hình phạt nào nặng hơn hình phạt được ấn định vào lúc hành vi phạm pháp xảy ra.

Ðiều 12: Không một ai bị xâm phạm một cách độc đoán về đời sống riêng tư, gia đình, nhà ở, hay thư tín, cũng như bị xúc phạm danh dự hay tiếng tăm của mình. Mọi người đều có quyền được luật pháp bảo vệ, trước những xâm phạm và xúc phạm như vậy.

Ðiều 13:
(1) Mọi người có quyền tự do di chuyển và cư trú, trong phạm vi biên giới của quốc gia.
(2) Mọi người đều có quyền rời bỏ lãnh thổ bất kỳ nước nào, kể cả nước của mình, và quyền trở về xứ sở.

Ðiều 14:
(1) Trước sự ngược đãi, mọi người đều có quyền tị nạn và tìm sự dung thân tại các quốc gia khác.
(2) Quyền này không được kể đến, trong trường hợp bị truy nã thật sự vì các tội phạm ngoài lý do chính trị, hay do những hành vi trái với những mục tiêu và nguyên tắc của Liên Hiệp Quốc.

Ðiều 15:
(1) Mọi người đều có quyền có quốc tịch.
(2) Không một ai bị tước bỏ quốc tịch, hay bị từ chối quyền thay đổi quốc tịch, một cách độc đoán.

Ðiều 16:
(1) Nam và nữ trong tuổi trưởng thành có quyền kết hôn và lập gia đình, mà không bị hạn chế về lý do chủng tộc, quốc tịch hay tôn giáo. Nam nữ đều có quyền bình đẳng lúc kết hôn, trong đời sống vợ chồng và lúc ly hôn.
(2) Hôn nhân chỉ có thể tiến hành khi cả hai vợ chồng tương lai đều được tự do quyết định và đồng ý thật sự.
(3) Gia đình phải được xem là một đơn vị tự nhiên và căn bản của xã hội, và được quyền bảo vệ của xã hội và quốc gia.

Ðiều 17:
(1) Mọi người đều có quyền sở hữu tài sản cá nhân cũng như tập thể.
(2) Không ai có thể bị tước đoạt tài sản của mình một cách độc đoán.

Ðiều 18: Mọi người đều có quyền về tự do tư tưởng, nhận thức và tôn giáo. Quyền này bao gồm cả quyền tự do thay đổi tôn giáo hay tín ngưỡng, cũng như quyền tự do biểu lộ tôn giáo hay tín ngưỡng của mình, với tư cách cá nhân hay tập thể, ở nơi công cộng hay trong chỗ tư nhân, bằng sự truyền dạy, thực hành, thờ phượng và áp dụng các nghi thức đạo giáo.

Ðiều 19: Mọi người đều có quyền tự do tư duy và ngôn luận. Quyền này bao gồm quyền không bị gây khó khăn vì quan điểm của mình và quyền được tìm kiếm, thu nhận và quảng bá tin tức và ý kiến qua mọi phương tiện truyền thông và qua mọi biên giới.

Ðiều 20:
(1) Mọi người đều có quyền tự do hội họp và lập hội, một cách hòa bình.
(2) Không một ai có thể bị cưỡng bách gia nhập vào một đoàn thể.

Ðiều 21:
(1) Mọi người đều có quyền tham gia vào việc điều hành xứ sở của mình, một cách trực tiếp hay qua các đại biểu được tuyển chọn một cách hoàn toàn tự do.
(2) Mọi người đều có ngang nhau quyền nhận lãnh những trách nhiệm chung của quốc gia của họ.
(3) Ý muốn của nhân dân phải là nền tảng của quyền lực chính quyền. Ý muốn này phải được thể hiện qua các cuộc bầu cử định kỳ và nghiêm chỉnh, bằng phiếu kín, qua phương thức phổ thông và bình đẳng đầu phiếu, hay các phương thức tương đương bảo đảm tự do bầu cử.

Ðiều 22: Vì là thành viên của xã hội, mỗi người đều có quyền an ninh xã hội, qua các cố gắng của quốc gia và hợp tác quốc tế, dựa theo phương cách tổ chức và tài nguyên của mỗi nước. Quyền này được đặt trên căn bản của sự thụ hưởng những quyền về kinh tế, xã hội và văn hóa, cần thiết cho nhân phẩm và sự phát triển tự do của mỗi cá nhân.

Ðiều 23:
(1) Mọi người đều có quyền làm việc, quyền tự do chọn việc làm, quyền được hưởng các điều kiện làm việc chính đáng và thuận lợi đối với công việc, và quyền được bảo vệ chống thất nghiệp.
(2) Mọi người, không vì lý do kỳ thị nào, đều có quyền được hưởng lương bổng như nhau, nếu cùng làm một công việc như nhau.
(3) Mọi người làm việc đều được quyền hưởng thù lao một cách công bằng và thích hợp, khả dĩ bảo đảm cho bản thân và gia đình mình một cuộc sống xứng đáng với nhân phẩm, cũng như được trợ giúp nếu cần, qua các phương thức bảo vệ xã hội khác.
(4) Mọi người đều có quyền thành lập và tham gia vào các nghiệp đoàn, để bảo vệ quyền lợi của mình.

Ðiều 24: Mọi người đều có quyền nghỉ ngơi và giải trí, nhất là sự giới hạn số giờ làm việc một cách hợp lý, và các ngày nghỉ định kỳ có trả lương.

Ðiều 25:
(1) Mọi người đều có quyền được hưởng một mức sống phù hợp với sức khỏe và sự no ấm cho bản thân và gia đình bao gồm: thực phẩm, quần áo, nhà ở, y tế và các dịch vụ xã hội cần thiết, quyền an sinh trong lúc thất nghiệp, đau ốm, tình trạng bất khiển dụng, góa bụa, tuổi già hay các tình huống thiếu thốn khác do các hoàn cảnh ngoài khả năng kiểm soát của mình.
(2) Sinh sản và trẻ con có quyền được chăm sóc và trợ giúp đặcbiệt. Tất cả mọi trẻ con, sinh có hôn thú hay không, đều được xã hội bảo vệ một cách bình đẳng như nhau.

Ðiều 26:
(1) Mọi người đều có quyền được giáo dục. Giáo dục phải được miễn phí, ít nhất là trong trường hợp cưỡng bách giáo dục ở bậc tiểu học. Giáo dục kỹ thuật và chuyên nghiệp phải được mở rộng và giáo dục đại học phải được mở rộng bình đẳng cho mọi người, trên căn bản tài năng xứng đáng.
(2) Giáo dục phải được điều hướng để phát triển đầy đủ nhân cách, và củng cố sự tôn trọng nhân quyền và các quyền tự do căn bản. Giáo dục phải nhằm cổ vũ sự cảm thông, lòng khoan dung, và tình hữu nghị giữa mọi quốc gia, mọi nhóm chủng tộc hoặc tôn giáo, và hỗ trợ việc phát triển các sinh hoạt của Liên Hiệp Quốc nhằm duy trì hòa bình.
(3) Cha mẹ có quyền ưu tiên chọn lựa phương cách giáo dục dành cho con cái mình.

Ðiều 27:
(1) Mọi người đều có quyền tự do tham gia sinh hoạt văn hóa cộng đồng, thưởng thức các bộ môn nghệ thuật, và cùng chia xẻ các tiến bộ khoa học cũng như các lợi ích của khoa học.
(2) Mọi người đều có quyền được bảo vệ về tác quyền, trên bình diện tinh thần cũng như quyền lợi vật chất, đối với các tác phẩm khoa học, văn chương, hay nghệ thuật.

Ðiều 28: Mọi người đều có quyền đòi hỏi được sống trong một trật tự xã hội và trật tự quốc tế, trong đó các quyền và các tự do được đề cập trong Bản Tuyên Ngôn này có thể được thể hiện đầy đủ.

Ðiều 29:
(1) Mọi người đều có nhiệm vụ đối với cộng đồng nào mà chỉ trong đó mới thực hiện được việc phát triển toàn vẹn và tự do nhân cách của mình.
(2) Trong việc hành xử nhân quyền và thụ hưởng tự do, mọi người chỉ phải chịu những hạn chế do luật định - và những hạn chế này chỉ nhằm mục tiêu bảo đảm sự thừa nhận và tôn trọng nhân quyền, và quyền tự do của những người khác, cũng như nhằm thỏa mãn những đòi hỏi chính đáng về luân lý, trật tự công cộng, và nền an sinh chung trong một xã hội dân chủ.
(3) Trong bất cứ trường hợp nào, nhân quyền và những quyền tự do này cũng không được hành xử trái với những mục tiêu và nguyên tắc của Liên Hiệp Quốc.

Ðiều 30:
Không một điều nào trong Bản Tuyên Ngôn này cho phép một nước, một nhóm hay một cá nhân nào được quyền viện dẫn bất cứ lý do gì để có những việc làm hay hành động nhằm hủy diệt nhân quyền và tự do được thừa nhận trong bản Tuyên Ngôn này.

Liên Hiệp Quốc, ngày 10 tháng 12 năm 1948

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The White House Internship: A Public Service Leadership Program

2011-12-07T14:40:00.000-08:00

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Source: The White House
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/internships

The White House Internship Program provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and build leadership skills. This hands-on program is designed to mentor and cultivate today’s young leaders, strengthen their understanding of the Executive Office and prepare them for future public service opportunities.

The White House Internship Program’s mission is to make the “People’s House” accessible to future leaders from around the nation.

The application for the Summer 2012 White House Internship Program will be posted online on Monday, November 7, 2011. The dates of the Summer 2012 White House Internship Program are May 29, 2012-August 10, 2012.

Apply Here

The application period for the Summer 2012 White House Internship Program is now open. Applicants have until January 22, 2012 to apply for a Summer 2012 White House Internship. Please read the instructions below and refer to our FAQ page for additional explanations.

Please read all of the following instructions before starting your application.
Am I eligible to apply for a White House Internship?

All White House Internship Program participants must be:

United States citizens
At least 18 years of age on or before the first day of the internship
Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a college, community college or university OR graduated in the past two years from an undergraduate or graduate program at a college, community college or university
OR
A veteran of the United States Armed Forces who possesses a high school diploma or its equivalent and has served on active duty at any time over the past two years

Am I available for the Summer 2012 Internship Program?

All White House Interns are expected to intern full-time for the entire term of the program.

The Summer 2012 internship term runs from May 29, 2012-August 10, 2012
Please visit our FAQ page for questions regarding quarter systems
The White House Internship Program is an unpaid program
Interns will be expected to work from approximately 9 AM-6 PM, Monday-Friday
Hours may vary by office
Please visit our FAQ page for questions regarding the definition of “full-time”

Do I have all my application materials?

A completed packet includes:

Two Essays: Each answer should be between 300-500 words in length
Current Resume: Your resume should not exceed one page
Two Letters of Recommendation

How do I submit my application correctly?

All application materials must be submitted online.

The application for the Summer 2012 White House Internship Program will be posted from November 14, 2011-January 22, 2012. All Summer 2012 White House Internship Program application materials must be submitted on or before 11:59 PM EST on January 22, 2012.
When an applicant enters a recommender’s email address info the application, the recommender will be sent an email with instructions on how to submit a recommendation for the applicant.
When a letter of recommendation has been successfully submitted, both the applicant and the recommender will receive an email confirmation with the name of the recommender who has submitted a letter on the applicant’s behalf.

Please click here to submit your application to the Summer 2012 White House Internship Program.

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News: Asian American Appreciation Day Brings Community Together

2011-12-06T06:28:00.001-08:00

For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, December 6, 2011

VVA Press Contact:
Vel Hernandez, (703) 362-7873

Asian American Appreciation Day Brings Community Together to
Recognize Extraordinary Leadership

AAPI Community Honors Leadershipat All Levels

Left photo: VVA team and supporters with Delegate Vivian Watts(VA-39), who is honored with Best
Legislative Leader Award at Asian AmericanAppreciation Day (Courtesy of Sherrell Williams).
Right photo: Reme Grefalda ofLibrary of Congress is honored with Cultural and Diversity Award
(Courtesy ofVVA). Forphotos of the event, please visit here.

FAIRFAX, Va.(Dec. 6) -- Asian American Appreciation Day, an event hosted by Voice ofVietnamese Americans in coalition with other organizations this past Saturday,December 3 at the Fairfax County Government Center, recognized U.S. SenatorsMark Warner and Jim Webb, Fairfax County leadership, community organizers aswell as educators from across the greater D.C. area for their contributions tothe Asian American Pacific Islander community.

“We are extremely grateful for the leadership effortsshown by our region’s educators, community organizers as well as our electedofficials at all levels,” Genie Nguyen, VVA President, said. “We were honoredto have Americans of all ages and ethnicity backgrounds gather with us on Saturdayto express appreciation to our leaders, who themselves are very diverse. Theirhard work continues to improve the quality of living for Vietnamese Americansand in all AAPI communities here and across the country.”

The event, which was the first of its kind for the Northern Virginia AAPIcommunity, recognized individuals who have made honorable contributions in theareas of education, jobs, health, human rights, social justice and foreignaffairs in the Vietnamese and AAPI communities.

Attended by over 100 people, the event was supported by over a dozenorganizations and businesses, including Skillsource, Brigitte Le from theGalerie Brigitte, Nhut Pho from Miss Vietnam DC, SANT Gupta from the IndianAmerican Forum of Political Education, Toshi Okuya from the Japanese Ministryof Economy, Trade, and Industry, Costco of Fair Lakes, Va. and the VietnameseMothers' Team.

Ms. Pho, who was this year’s winner of the Miss Vietnam DC pageant show,participated in the program and individually handed each award honoree theirawards. Ms. Le, founder and owner of the renowned art gallery, GalerieBrigitte, handcrafted the calligraphy on all awards, which were glass plates.

Members of the Japanese American, Filipino American, and the Indian Americancommunity also attended to express their appreciation. Dr. Larry Shinagawa,Associate Professor and Director of Asian American Studies at the University ofMaryland College Park, also attended in support of the event. Additionally,number of members from the Vietnamese Senior Citizens’ community also attended.

The online news publication, Patch.com, called the local event, “aday of recognition for one of the largest minority groups in the county.”

U.S. Senator from Virginia Mark Warner was recognized for his efforts inbringing jobs to Virginia. Recipient of the “Leader in Jobs and EconomicDevelopment” award, Sen. Warner, in a statement, expressed his support of VVAand the event: “I commend all those who work with your organization to helpstrengthen the community and improve the lives of others."

“This Appreciation Day was a collaborative success as it drew members fromevery AAPI background and gathered people from all age backgrounds,” Ms. Nguyensaid. “VVA joined the greater AAPI community in supporting our great leaderswho work and represent our growing, changing community.”

The event also recognized U.S. Senator Jim Webb, who was awarded with the“Leader in Foreign Affairs” award for his extraordinary efforts in bringingU.S- Asia relations to the forefront in his role as U.S. Senator and especiallyin his leadership position on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Sen.Webb, in a letter of support to VVA, expressed the importance of relationshipswith Asia: “Throughout my time in the U.S. Senate, it has been a greatprivilege to represent your members and also to emphasize the strategicimportance of our country’s relationships in Asia.

Other members of Congress recognized for their work in the AAPI communityinclude Congressman Frank Wolf and Congressman Gerry Connolly. The eventalso recognized members of the Virginia General Assembly, including DelegateVivian Watts and Delegate Mark Keam.

From the county level, many members of Fairfax County government attended and afew were recognized for their outstanding contributions in the local VietnameseAmerican community. Chairman of Fairfax County Board of Supervisors SharonBulova was awarded with the "Best County Management Leader in theCommonwealth of Virginia” award. Vice Chairman and Mason District SupervisorPenelope “Penny” Gross was award with the “Best Mason District Leader” award.Braddock District Supervisor John Cook also attended in support of the event.

For a full list of award honorees, please visit here.For photos of the event, please visit here.

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The mission of Voice of Vietnamese Americans is to empower VietnameseAmericans by promoting civic engagement through community organizing andcapacity building. Voice of Vietnamese Americans enhances, defends, andprotects the American core values of human rights, civil rights, democracy,liberty, and justice for all.

Sen. Jim Webb Expresses Support of Asian American Appreciation Day

2011-12-05T12:01:00.001-08:00

U.S. Senator from Virginia Jim Webb expresses his support and best wishes for the AAPI community gathered at Asian American Appreciation Day.

"The Asian-American community is a strong and vibrant part of Northern Virginia. I treasure my personal involvement with its members over many years. Throughout my time in the U.S. Senate, it has been a great privilege to represent your members and also to emphasize the strategic importance of our country's relationships in Asia."

Full text of letter is below.
Letter From Sen. Jim Webb December 2011
Asian American Appreciation Day
c/o Voice of Vietnamese Americans
3835 Prince William Drive
Fairfax, VA 22031

Dear Friends:

Please accept my best wishes as you celebrate Asian American Appreciation Day. I know that today's activities are an important opportunity for your community to renew the bonds of family, friendships, and cultural heritage. It is also an opportunity to remind ourselves of the shared vales and strong ties between United States and Asia.

The Asian-American community is a strong and vibrant part of Northern Virginia. I treasure my personal involvement with its members over many years. Throughout my time in the U.S. Senate, it has been a great privilege to represent your members and also to emphasize the strategic importance of our country's relationships in Asia. As your Senator, I am also personally grateful for your many gestures of support.

Again, congratulations to the organizers and to the participants from across Northern Virginia attending today's Appreciation Day.

Sincerely,

s/ Jim Webb
United States Senator

Updated - Asian American Appreciation Day - 2 days away!

2011-12-01T13:48:00.000-08:00

December 1, 2011

4:30 p.m. Fairfax, Va.

We are just two days away from our end-of-year Appreciation Day event! Join us as we honor leadership of all levels in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Join us for an Asian and Pacific Islander Feast, consisting of Chinese, Indian, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese dishes for lunch, thanks to the contribution of Dr. Cindy Shao, AACC; Mr. Satish Korpe and Sant Gupta, IAFPE-VA; Mr. Wonhee Kang, Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington; Mr. Jay Chen, Asian Fortune, and Voice of Vietnamese Americans.

The event is free and open to the public.

We ask that attendees bring an item to contribute to care packages to be sent to U.S. troops abroad.

ASIAN AMERICAN APPRECIATION DAY
Hosted by Voice of Vietnamese Americans

Fairfax County Government Center

12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035

Saturday, December 3, 2011 – 10:00am - 3:00pm

Please bring an item to contribute to our care packagesto U.S. troops abroad.

Tentative Program

10:00 a.m. Registration
10:30 Reception

Networking Hour. Jobs, organization andnonprofit booths open.

11:00               Welcome Remarks, Introduction ofCommunity Leaders
11:10               Honoring U.S. Senator Jim Webb
                        Keynote by Sen. Webb
                        Appreciation Award Presented to Sen. Webb

11:40 Honoring Chairman Sharon Bulova

                        Remarks by Chairman Bulova
                        Appreciation Award Presented to Chairman Bulova
12:00 p.m.       Honoring Congressman Gerry Connolly
                        Remarks by Congressman Connolly
                        Appreciation AwardPresented to Congressman Connolly
12:30               Lunch
1:30                 Presentation of Appreciation Awards and Recognition Awards

2:30 Closing Remarks

Group Pictures
3:00 p.m. Adjourn

The recognition and appreciation awards will be held in the Board Auditorium
The reception will be held in the Forum Circle.

If you have any questions, please email voice.vietnameseamericans26@gmail.com.

If you a member of the newsmedia, please email Vel Hernandez at veleh1025@gmail.com.All media personnel must show credentials and sign in at the event.

Award Honorees

Congressional Leaders:

Leader in Foreign Affairs:

The Honorable Jim Webb, U.S. Senator from Virginia

Leader in Jobs and Economic Development:

The Honorable Mark Warner, U.S. Senator from Virginia

Leader in Health Care and Education:

The Honorable Gerry Connolly, U.S. Congressman from Virginia

Leader in Human Rights Advocacy:

The Honorable Frank Wolf, U.S. Congressman from Virginia

Cultural and Diversity Leader:

Reme Grefalda, the Library of Congress, Asian Division, APA Collection

Legislative Leaders in the Commonwealth of Virginia:

The Honorable Janet Howell, State Senator (VA-32)

The Honorable Vivian Watts, State Delegate (VA-39)
The Honorable Mark Keam, State Delegate (VA-35)

Best County Management Leader in the Commonwealth of Virginia:

The Honorable Sharon Bulova, Chairman of Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

Mason District Best Leader:

Supervisor Penelope A. Gross

Business Leaders:

Asian American Chamber of Commerce
Asian Real Estate Association of America, DC Metro Chapter

Education Leaders:

Ilryong Moon, Member of Fairfax County School Board, At-Large

Sandy Evans, Member of Fairfax County School Board, Mason District

Public Safety Leader:

Tony Pham, General Counsel, Richmond City Sheriff’s Office

Youth Training Leader:

The Vietnamese Youth Education Association

Advocacy Leaders:

Christine Chen - APIA Vote

Kevin Simowitz - Virginia Organizing
Vel Hernandez - Voice of Vietnamese Americans

Please bring an item to contribute to our care packages for our troops abroad.

Frank Huy Do, a victim of the Raid at Eden Center, found NOT GUILTY

2011-12-01T08:30:00.001-08:00

Vietnamese Americans Demand Equal Treatment under the Law - VVA Statement Regarding the Raid at Eden Center on August 11, 2011

Falls Church, VA, Dec 1: On November 30, the Falls Church Court found Mr. Frank Huy Do, a victim of the Raid at Eden Center, NOT GUILTY . Mr. Frank Huy Do was arrested with no clear reason while talking to businessmen in the area after the raid on August 11. Mr. Do was arrested without due process and not proper procedure.

The verdict "Not Guilty" for Mr. Frank Huy Do would make a total of 10 victims of the Eden Raid found not guilty by the Court, as of November 30, 2011.

We thank the Falls Church Court for providing social justice to under-represented ethnic minorities.

Voice of Vietnamese Americans

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Eden Center: Thêm một người được trắng án
Tuyết Mai

Thêm một nạn nhân vô tội bị Cảnh Sát Falls Church bắt ở Café Metro trong Thương Xá Eden được trắng án trong phiên xử ngày 30 Tháng 11 tại Tòa án Falls Church, VA.

Sau cuộc bố ráp ở Eden Center ngày 11 Tháng 8, 2011 Cảnh Sát của “Gang Task Forces” đã báo cáo bắt được 19 đảng viên của băng đảng “Dragon Family”, nhiều Đài TV, báo chí Hoa Kỳ, Kiều Thu và một số báo chí Việt Nam đã loan tin xấu này đi đã làm tổn thương danh dự của người Việt Nam và gây thiệt hại vật chất trầm trọng cho cộng đồng thương gia VN ở Eden Center.

Sau vụ bố ráp này , Ông Frank Huy Đỗ, Phó chủ tịch của Hiệp Hội Thương Mãi Việt Mỹ ở DC (VACOC-DC) đã đến thăm hỏi các chủ tiệm trong Eden. Tại Cafe Metro, Ông Đỗ thấy Cảnh Sát dọi đèn vào mặt khách hàng trong tiệm, ông dùng iphone thu hình việc làm bất hợp pháp này. Ông Đỗ bị Cảnh Sát lôi ra ngoài chỗ đậu xe. Ông Đỗ hỏi “Tôi bị tội gì?” Cảnh Sát gọi thêm Cảnh Sát đến và đã còng tay Ông Đỗ. Lúc có thêm Cảnh sát tới, Ông Đỗ lập lại câu hỏi “Tôi bị tội gì?”. Một cảnh sát khác trả lời “Ông không bị tội gì.” Ông Đỗ bị còng tay và bị đẩy vô xe Cảnh Sát chở đi. Những người hiện diện đã dùng phone quay phim tất cả sự việc xảy ra tại hiện trường cùng lúc gọi báo tin cho Luật sư Trần Hậu Duệ, Cố vấn pháp lý của Hiệp Hội và Ông Nguyễn Thanh Bình, Chủ tịch của VACOV-DC.

LS Duệ và Ông Bình đến thẳng nhà giam ở Falls Church chờ đợi cả giờ . Tại đây Cảnh Sát ghi danh Ông Đỗ bị bắt về tội say rượu và chống cự lại Cảnh Sát. LS Duệ yêu cầu cho thử máu hay thử hơi thở để làm bằng chứng say rượu, Cảnh sát ở đây không làm. Ông Đỗ xác nhận không hề uống một giọt rượu hôm đó. Vời tư cách luật sư đại diện cho Ông Đỗ, LS Duệ gọi nhiều nơi, sau vài giờ Ông Đỗ đựơc trả tự do, nhưng bị đưa ra tòa ngày hôm qua.

Tại Tòa, sau khi LS Duệ trình bày những bằng chứng, Tòa tuyên bố Phan Huy Đỗ “Not guilty” (trắng án).

Đây là một bằng chuúng Cảnh Sát Falls Church, VA đã lạm quyền trong lúc thi hành phận sự, đã vu khống, áp bức cư dân Việt Nam. Những cư dân VN thấp cổ bé miệng, nghèo nàn, không biết tiếng Anh, không có bạc ngàn nhờ luật sư biện hộ trước tòa luôn bị Cảnh Sát vu cáo, áp bức, buộc họ phải ký giấy nhận tội hay bị còng tay một cách bất công. Nếu bị buộc tội băng đảng, những nạn nhân chẳng những bị mất danh dự mà có thể bị mầt việc, tệ hại hơn nữa là không được vào quốc tịch Hoa Kỳ hay có thể bị trả về Việt Nam.

Để tranh đấu cho lý tưởng công bằng, Luật sư Trần Hậu Duệ đã hy sinh rất nhiều thì giờ, công sức, cùng VACOC-DC đứng ra biện hộ miễn phí cho nhiều nạn nhân vô tội. Tổng số 19 người bị bắt hôm bố ráp và ông Phan Huy Đỗ bị bắt sau, được chia ra nhiều nhóm, được xử trong nhiều phiên xử khác nhau. Cho đến nay, qua bốn phiên xử, LS Duệ và Hiệp Hội đã giúp cho 10 người bị kết tội cờ bạc bất hợp pháp, tất cả được trắng án. Ba chủ quán bị tội có pháo, có rượu trong tiệm, không chủ quán nào bị buộc tội tổ chức cờ bạc bất hợp pháp. Có ba người đã nhận tội cờ bạc bất hợp pháp vì nhận tội, đóng tiền phạt ít hơn tiền nhờ luật sư biện hộ. Còn bốn người nữa sẽ ra Tòa, họ nhờ luật sư khác biện hộ.

Theo Ông Nguyễn Thanh Bình,”Gang Task Forces” vu khống một số người Việt Nam thuộc băng đảng “Dragon Family” là để được tiếp tục nhận tiền từ Chính Phủ. Họ báo cáo đã bắt được 19 đảng viên đảng “Dragon Family”, nhưng đưa 19 người bị bắt ra tòa với tội cờ bạc bất hợp pháp, đây là một “âm mưu” của Cảnh Sát. Tội cờ bạc bất hợp pháp là một tội nhẹ, nên nạn nhân sẽ nhận tội, đóng tiền phạt vài chục, đỡ tốn hơn nhờ luậtt sư tranh cải trứoc tòa. Chuyện vu khống băng đảng sẽ được xếp vào hồ sơ và êm xuôi đi vào quá khứ. Ông Nguyễn Thanh Bình đã yêu cầu và Bà Gardner, City Counsel của Falls Church đã đòi hỏi “Gang Task Force s” làm báo cáo thật chi tiết về vụ bố ráp ở Eden Center. Hiệp Hội đang chờ đợi bào cáo chi tiết này. Con số tiền hơn một triệu tiền mặt và những máy game tịch thu trong vụ bố ráp được Cảnh sát đưa ra, cho tới nay Cảnh Sát chưa đề cặp tới.

Luật sư Trần Hậu Duệ và Hiệp Hội VACOC-DC khẳng định chỉ bênh vực những người vô tội. Những người có tội phải chịu trách nhiệm việc làm của họ trước pháp luật. Luật sư Duệ đã đem công lý, trả lại sự công bằng cho mười cư dân Việt Nam vô tội, bị áp bức trong vụ bố ráp của Cảnh Sát vừa qua.

Người Việt Nam từ hơn 36 năm qua, có bất mãn, bất bình với sự bất công áp bức của Cảnh sát cũng chỉ tâm sự, tâm tình với nhau. Nay dưới sự hướng dẫn pháp lý của Luật sư Trần Hậu Duệ, một buổi “ điều trần” dưới hình thức “Town Hall Meeting” sẽ được tổ chức tại V3 Lounge trong Thương Xá Eden vào lúc 7 giờ chiều ngày 8 Tháng 12, 2011. Sỡ dị tổ chức ở V3 Lounge vì nơi này rộng rãi hơn Falls Church City Hall, chỉ có 65 chỗ.

Tại đây tiếng nói, nguyện vọng chính đáng của cư dân Việt Nam sẽ được nói lên với các viên chức chính quyền Falls Church. Trong buổi “điều trần “ này sẽ có sự hiện diện của Thị Trưởng Falls Church cùng nhiều viên chức trong chính quyền Falls Church, Nghị viên Mark Keam, Dân biểu của Quồc Hội Virginia, nhiều đại diện dân cử của Virginia, Maryland, DC và nhiều đại diện truyền thông báo chí ngoại quốc. Hiệp Hội Thương Mãi Việt Mỹ rất mong mỏi được đông đảo đồng huơng tham dự để nói lên tiếng nói, nguyện vọng chính đáng của chúng ta, bao gồm luôn cả những vấn đề khó khăn trong việc làm ăn, buôn bán trong Thương xá Eden, như tiền thuê nhà và chi phí cho các dịch vụ ở Eden Center rất cao…

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Attorney Tony Pham is recognized as Leader in Public Safety at the Asian American Appreciation Day on Dec 3 in Fairfax - Virginia

2011-11-30T12:43:00.000-08:00

Press Release

Wednesday, November 30, 2011
VVA Press Contact: Vel Hernandez
(703) 362-7873

Asian American Appreciation Day to Honor Attorney Tony Pham
for Efforts in Public Safety

Local, state and national leaders to be recognized at Dec. 3 event

FAIRFAX, Va. (Nov. 30) – Asian American Appreciation Day, hosted by Voice of Vietnamese Americans in coalition with other local organizations on December 3, will recognize attorney Tony Pham for his efforts in bringing much needed attention to public safety and crime prevention.

Mr. Pham, who is the immediate past president of Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Virginia (APABA-VA), rallied local police departments in Fairfax and Richmond, Va. and brought to their attention the recent trends of crimes involving Asian American victims, including the unsolved murder case of Vanessa Pham (no relation). He will be receiving the Leader in Public Safety Award.

“Over the past years, our community has regrettably been inflicted with an alarming rate of violent crimes involving AAPI victims,” Genie Nguyen, VVA President, said. “We are extremely grateful for Mr. Pham’s tireless work. His efforts in making public safety a priority have made lasting impacts on our community, and as we continue to support him in his tremendous endeavors, we deeply thank him.”

Mr. Pham, who is currently General Counsel of Richmond City Sherriff’s Office, successfully secured the participation of several Fairfax County Police Department officials and helped organize a compelling Public Safety presentation at VVA’s Asian American Community Advocacy and Resource Day, which over 100 local residents attended. FCPD Detective Robert Bond spoke about the ongoing criminal investigation into the murder of Vanessa Pham, 19, who was killed last summer in Fairfax. Other officials presented crime and gang prevention tips.

Earlier this year at the 2011 Vietnamese American Youth Leadership Conference organized by National Congress of Vietnamese Americans and supported by VVA, Mr. Pham participated as a panelist and talked to dozens of young Vietnamese Americans about public safety and his line of work as an attorney.

Other award honorees at the Dec. 3 event include U.S. Senator Jim Webb, U.S. Senator Mark Warner, Congressman Gerry Connolly, and other elected leaders and community advocates at the state and local levels. Please see the below for the full list of award honorees. The event is free and open to the public.

“The increasing challenges our people facing daily have illuminated the stellar leadership Virginians in Fairfax enjoy, and we are very grateful,” said Genie Nguyen, VVA President. “We are thankful for leadership by Senator Jim Webb, Senator Mark Warner, many state senators, state delegates and county leaders as well as the countless community advocates who have worked hard all year long to protect the diverse interests of Virginians.”

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Asian American Appreciation Day

December 3, 2011 – 10:00 am – 03:00pm

Fairfax County Government Center

12000 Government Center Parkway

Fairfax, VA 22035

The event is hosted by Voice of Vietnamese Americans, in coalition with many other local Asian Americans
and civic engagement organizations. Please join us to honor our leaders from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Award Honorees

Congressional Leaders:

Leader in Foreign Affairs:

The Honorable Jim Webb, U.S. Senator from Virginia

Leader in Jobs and Economic Development:

The Honorable Mark Warner, U.S. Senator from Virginia

Leader in Health Care and Education:

The Honorable Gerry Connolly, U.S. Congressman from Virginia*

Leader in Human Rights Advocacy:

The Honorable Frank Wolf, U.S. Congressman from Virginia

Cultural and Diversity Leader:

Reme Grefalda, the Library of Congress, Asian Division, APA Collection

Legislative Leaders in the Commonwealth of Virginia:

The Honorable Janet Howell, State Senator (VA-32)

The Honorable Vivian Watts, State Delegate (VA-39)*
The Honorable Mark Keam, State Delegate (VA-35)*

Best County Management Leader in the Commonwealth of Virginia:

The Honorable Sharon Bulova, Chairman of Fairfax County Board of Supervisors*

Mason District Best Leader:

Supervisor Penelope A. Gross

Business Leaders:

Asian American Chamber of Commerce
Asian Real Estate Association of America, DC Metro Chapter

Education Leaders:

Ilryong Moon, Member of Fairfax County School Board, At-Large

Sandy Evans, Member of Fairfax County School Board, Mason District

Public Safety Leader:

Tony Pham, General Counsel, Richmond City Sheriff’s Office

Youth Training Leader:

The Vietnamese Youth Education Association

Advocacy Leaders:

Christine Chen - APIA Vote

Kevin Simowitz - Virginia Organizing
Vel Hernandez - Voice of Vietnamese Americans

* Denotes confirmed attendance among elected officials. More to come.

Please bring an item to contribute to our care packages for our troops abroad.

Sen. Mark Warner Expresses Greetings for Asian American Appreciation Day

2011-11-28T12:47:00.000-08:00

In anticipation of VVA's Asian American Appreciation Day on December 3, U.S. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, a longtime supporter of Virginia's Vietnamese American and AAPI communities, has expressed support and warm greetings to all attendees and participants at next month's event.

Once again, we deeply thank Sen. Warner for the tremendous support he has shown in serving and helping our growing Asian American community.

United States Senator
Washington, D.C.

December 3, 2011

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to extend warm greetings to all who are gathered for the Voice of Vietnamese Americans' Virginia "Appreciation Day".

This event is an occasion to honor the strength of the mission that characterizes your organization as well as the various other civic organizations which are part of today's efforts. The programs and services you offer provide important resources to make a positive impact on families and workers in Virginia. You continually provide information regarding jobs, health care and transportation issues as well as promote small businesses. I commend all those who work with your organization to help strengthen the community and improve the lives of others.

On this important occasion, I am very pleased to join with your families, friends and community in wishing the Vietnamese American community the very best for a successful meeting.

Sincerely,

s/Mark. R. Warner

MARK R. WARNER
United States Senator

ASIAN AMERICAN APPRECIATION DAY Dec 3 - Honoring Leadership from Fairfax, Virginia

2011-11-28T12:05:00.000-08:00

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ASIAN AMERICAN APPRECIATION DAY -
Honoring Leadership from Fairfax, Virginia

“The increasing challenges our people facing daily
have illuminated the stellar leadership Virginians in Fairfax enjoy,
and we are very grateful” – Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

AWARD HONOREES

Congressional Leaders:
Leader in Foreign Affairs:
The Honorable Jim Webb, U.S. Senator from Virginia
Leader in Jobs and Economic Development:
The Honorable Mark Warner, U.S. Senator from Virginia
Leader in Health Care and Education:
The Honorable Gerry Connolly, U.S. Congressman from Virginia
Leader in Human Rights Advocacy:
The Honorable Frank Wolf, U.S. Congressman from Virginia

Cultural and Diversity Leader:
Reme Grefalda, the Library of Congress, Asian Division, APA Collection

Legislative Leaders in the Commonwealth of Virginia:
The Honorable Janet Howell, State Senator (VA-32)
The Honorable Vivian Watts, State Delegate (VA-39)
The Honorable Mark Keam, State Delegate (VA-35)

Best County Management Leader in the Commonwealth of Virginia:
The Honorable Sharon Bulova, Chairman of Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

Mason District Best Leaders:
Supervisor Penelope A. Gross

Business Leaders:
Asian American Chamber of Commerce
Asian Real Estate Association of America, DC Metro Chapter

Education Leaders:
Ilryong Moon, Member of Fairfax County School Board, At-Large
Sandy Evans, Member of Fairfax County School Board, Mason District
Public Safety Leader:

Tony Pham, General Counsel, Richmond City Sheriff’s Office

Youth Training Leader:
The Vietnamese Youth Education Association

Advocacy Leaders:
Christine Chen - APIA Vote
Kevin Simowitz - Virginia Organizing Project
Velginy Hernandez – Voice of Vietnamese Americans

On Saturday, December 3rd, Asian American Pacific Islanders will have their first “Appreciation Day” at the Fairfax Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035, from 10:00am – 03:00pm. The event is hosted by Voice of Vietnamese Americans, in coalition with many other Asian Americans and Civic Engagement Organizations. Please join us to honor our Leaders from the Commonwealth of Virginia. The event is free and open to the public. Please bring an item to contribute to our Care Packages to our troops abroad.

Hosted by Voice of Vietnamese Americans, in Coalition with: the Asian American Chamber of Commerce, the Asian Real Estate Association of America – Metro Chapter, Asian Fortune Newspaper, Asian Pacific Islander American Vote, Brigitte Galleries, the Indian American Forum of Political Education - VA chapter, Skillsource, Virginia Organizing Project.

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Asian Real Estate Association of America- D.C.Metro Chapter to be Named Leader in Serving the AAPI Housing Needs of Virginia At AAPI Appreciation Day

2011-11-28T09:35:00.000-08:00

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For Immediate Release
Contact: Genie Nguyen
703-593-7182

Asian Real Estate Association of America-DC Metro Chapter to be Named Leader in Serving the AAPI Housing Needs of Virginia At Asian American Appreciation Day on Dec 3 in Fairfax

Fairfax, Va. -- Asian American Appreciation Day, hosted by Voice of Vietnamese Americans (VVA) in coalition with many other AAPI communities, will recognize Asian Real Estate Association of America-DC Metro Chapter (AREAA-Metro Chapter) as Leader in Serving the Housing Needs of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community of Fairfax County and Virginia.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have historically very high demand for housing. For years, these needs were not easily addressed due to language and cultural barriers. AREAA responded to the needs by supporting professional realtors from AAPI communities with valuable knowledge, skills, and support systems. With the national organization headquarter based in California, the AREAA-Metro Chapter was established in 2008 to serve the AAPI communities in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

“Since the beginning of the housing crisis in 2009, AREAA-Metro Chapter has championed foreclosure prevention efforts in Fairfax and Prince William Counties, helping hundreds of families keep their homes,” said Genie Nguyen, VVA President. “AREAA-Metro Chapter also led educational sessions for AAPI realtors to provide information about properties in distress and short sales. These sessions support neighborhoods’ stabilization efforts during the worst time in the housing market. Asian Americans appreciate the compassion illustrated through actions of the AREAA-Metro Chapter Board of Directors.”

Actively involved with grassroots organizations, AREAA–Metro Chapter also works closely with other real estate professional associations in the area and has partnerships with the Northern Virginia Realtor Association (NVAR), the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors (GCAAR), and many financial institutions such as Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, as well as with other professionals in the real estate related industry.

“We are planning to have an International and Commercial Committee to serve increased Asian Americans’ demands” said Grace Choi, AREAA-Metro President, “as well as setting up more educational sessions in default properties with real connections to all the Asset Managers, to support our member realtors.”

George Soo Hoo, Chairman of AREAA-Metro Chapter, proudly asserts: “Our members enjoy tremendous benefits, ranging for valuable connections with financial institutions, asset managers, housing policy makers to a vast networks and support system, from local, state, to national and international level,” Chairman Soo Hoo is also the attorney leading an established Title and Settlement Company.

At the same time, Song Hutchins, Founder of the Chapter, emphasizes that her main focus remains on bringing homeownerships to all Asian Americans, to realize our American dreams. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are grateful to all the accomplishments that AREAA-Metro Chapter has contributed to our community.

“We invite everyone who cares about our nation’s housing market, our Commonwealth’s issues, and our Fairfax County quickly bounced back real estate values, to join us on December 3 in expressing our appreciation to all the volunteers working to propel AREAA-Metro Chapter,” said Ms. Nguyen.

Event: Asian American Appreciation Day
Date: Saturday, December 3, 2011
Time: 10:00 am – 03:00 pm
Venue: Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035

Event is free and open to the public. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who are in the real-estate-related industry are highly encouraged to attend and be a member of AREAA-Metro Chapter – the leader in serving the AAPI’s housing needs.

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The mission of Voice of Vietnamese Americans is to empower Vietnamese Americans by promoting civic engagement through community organizing and capacity building. Voice of Vietnamese Americans enhances, defends, and protects the American core values of human rights, civil rights, democracy, liberty, and justice for all.

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Voice of Vietnamese Americans Stands with the People of Yemen In Calling for a Peaceful Transition to a Democratic Society

2011-11-28T00:17:00.000-08:00

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For Immediate Release
November 28, 2011 \
Contact: Genie Nguyen
703-593-7182

Voice of Vietnamese Americans Stands with the People of Yemen
In Calling for a Peaceful Transition to a Democratic Society.

Washington D.C, November 28, 2011: Voice of Vietnamese Americans congratulates the United Nations’ success on November 23, in encouraging President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen to sign the agreement to end his dictator regime.

Voice of Vietnamese Americans applauds President Saleh for his wise determination to step down, and urges all of Mr. Saleh's loyalists to respect his decision, to immediately stop violence in Sanaa. Voice of Vietnamese Americans urges all leaderships of Yemen to quickly form a government with equal participation of the opposition and the ruling party, to end the current chaos of the nation.

Voice of Vietnamese Americans stands in solidarity with the people of Yemen in their quest for a peaceful transition to a democratic society. As Americans, we thank our President Obama of the United States for taking a position to support the will of the people, to confirm the American values: that of liberty and justice for all.

Voice of Vietnamese Americans celebrates the global democratic movement, with hope and faith in humanity. We call for a few remaining authoritarian regimes to honor the United Nations’ Declaration of Human Rights, to recognize the power of the people, to bring about sustainable world peace.

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The mission of Voice of Vietnamese Americans is to empower Vietnamese Americans by promoting civic engagement through community organizing and capacity building. Voice of Vietnamese Americans enhances, defends, and protects the American core values of human rights, civil rights, democracy, liberty, and justice for all.

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Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T10:43:00.000-08:00

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Nhân dịp Lễ Tạ Ơn, Tiếng Nói Người Mỹ gốc Việt xin chân thành cảm tạ sự hy sinh cao quý của nhừng chiến sĩ đã và đang chiến đấu cho tự do, dân chủ, và công bằng xã hội. Chúng tôi xin cố gắng để không phụ sự hy sinh cao cả của quý vị, và sẽ tiếp tục vinh danh lý tưởng tự do, dân chủ, nhân quyền, bình đẳng cho mọi người dân.

Tiếng Nói Người Mỹ gốc Việt xin tri ân mọi hỗ trợ của Quý vi Lãnh Đạo Tinh Thần, Lãnh Đạo Hội Đòan, Quý vị Giáo Sư Cố Vấn, và nhất là quý bạn trẻ cùng quý đồng hương.

Xin kính chúc quý vị một Lễ Tạ Ơn nhiều hạnh phúc, bình tâm, an tọai.

Xin hồn thiêng sông núi phù trợ chúng ta.

This Thanksgiving Day, Voice of Vietnamese Americans would like to express our sincere thanks to all who have blessed this life with their own sacrifices to the ideals of Democracy, Liberty, and Justice for all.

Voice of Vietnamese Americans would like to thank all of our community leaders, our advisers, our members and friends from all walks of life,

May many blessings come to you this season,

May your contributions to the community be great blessings to all others.

Our sincere thanks to all of your support given to Voice of Vietnamese Americans. We are very grateful and will strive to serve our community better together with all of you.

May God Bless America

Asian American Appreciation Day On December 3 in Fairfax County, Virginia

2011-11-20T17:17:00.000-08:00

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Asian American Community Advocacy and Resource Day

FAIRFAX, Va. (Nov. 21) – On Saturday, December 3rd, Asian American Pacific Islanders will have their first “Appreciation Day” at the Fairfax Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035) from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The event is hosted by Voice of Vietnamese Americans, in coalition with many other Asian American and Civic Engagement Organizations.

“The increasing challenges that our people face daily have illuminated the stellar leadership enjoyed by Virginians in Fairfax, and we are very grateful,” said Genie Nguyen, VVA President. “We are thankful to Senator Webb and Senator Warner representing Virginia; many State Senators and State Delegates representing Fairfax; Fairfax County Chairman Sharon Bulova; Mason District Supervisor Penelope Gross and other Supervisors; the Fairfax County School Board; as well as many strong community advocates who have worked hard to protect the diverse interests of Virginians.”

Fairfax County is regarded as one of the best-governed counties in the nation. Senator Warner is among the most experienced legislators in issues such as jobs, budget, and fiscal responsibility. Senator Webb championed the focus on foreign affairs in Asia and the Pacific, resulting in significant Trans-Pacific-Partnerships that will raise US exports, translating to revenue and jobs for Americans.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are trying our best to support Virginian leaders. We hope that this “Appreciation Day” will also inspire all AAPI voters and other ethnic Americans to be more engaged with our representatives at all levels. Voter registration will be conducted at this event.

For three weeks before the Nov. 8, 2011 general elections, VVA successfully mobilized a field team and several phone banks to contact Fairfax County residents to get out the vote. In August, VVA’s Asian American Community Advocacy and Resource Day drew area residents to meet and discuss our issues with nearly a dozen elected officials. In late October, nearly fifteen local candidates running for office, participated in VVA’s Candidates’ Forum at Mason District, where 22% voters are Asian American Pacific Islanders. This December 3, Asian American Appreciation Day hopes to spark the interest in our voters to join us in supporting our great leaders.

The event is free and open to the public. To be a sponsoring partner at Asian American Appreciation Day, please send an e-mail to voice.vietnameseamericans26@gmail.com.

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The mission of Voice of Vietnamese Americans is to empower Vietnamese Americans by promoting civic engagement through community organizing and capacity building. Voice of Vietnamese Americans enhances, defends, and protects the American core values of human rights, civil rights, democracy, liberty, and justice for all.

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Richard Koo: turmoil results when policymakers do not understand balance sheet recessions

2011-11-19T07:37:00.000-08:00

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Richard Koo examined the history of recession cycles worldwide, especially the cycle in Japan, to point out that at this time, the US Economy needs more revenue to stimulate growth. Drastic cuts of budget now can cause severe damage to our economy for a long time. For Japan, cutting spending as reactive decision in the 1990 recession cost them 10 years to climb out of the ditch. Now Japan suffers the national debt of 200% GDP. Americans can NOT afford the cuts.

Americans can NOT afford the cuts. Americans on main street ask for JOBS and pragmatic support to homegrown jobs. The American Jobs Act answers the demands. Congress should work more responsibly.

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VVA Congratulates the success of APEC 2011 hosted by President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama

2011-11-14T20:29:00.000-08:00

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VVA Congratulates the success of APEC 2011 hosted by President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on November 12 and November 13 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum was established in 1989 to foster prosperity, cooperation, trade and investment.

The United States works within APEC to connect American exporters with markets in the Asia-Pacific region.

Today APEC has 21 member economies.

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The White House. President Barack Obama
APEC 2011
News Conference by President Obama

JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa
Kapolei, Hawaii

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Good afternoon, everybody. Aloha. I want to begin by thanking the people of Hawaii for their extraordinary hospitality. Usually when Michelle and I and our daughters come back to visit, it's just one President, and this time we brought 21. So thank you so much for the incredible graciousness of the people of Hawaii -- and their patience, because I know that traffic got tied up a little bit.

Now, the single greatest challenge for the United States right now, and my highest priority as President, is creating jobs and putting Americans back to work. And one of the best ways to do that is to increase our trade and exports with other nations. Ninety-five percent of the world's consumers are beyond our borders. I want them to be buying goods with three words stamped on them: Made in America. So I've been doing everything I can to make sure that the United States is competing aggressively for the jobs and the markets of the future.

No region will do more to shape our long-term economic future than the Asia Pacific region. As I've said, the United States is, and always will be, a Pacific nation. Many of our top trading partners are in this region. This is where we sell most of our exports, supporting some 5 million American jobs. And since this is the world's fastest growing region, the Asia Pacific is key to achieving my goal of doubling U.S. exports -- a goal, by the way, which we are on track right now to meet.

And that's why I've been proud to host APEC this year. It's been a chance to help lead the way towards a more seamless regional economy with more trade, more exports, and more jobs for our people. And I'm pleased that we've made progress in three very important areas.

First, we agreed to a series of steps that will increase trade and bring our economies even closer. We agreed to a new set of principles on innovation to encourage the entrepreneurship that creates new businesses and new industries. With simplified customs and exemptions from certain tariffs we'll encourage more businesses to engage in more trade. And that includes our small businesses, which account for the vast majority of the companies in our economies.

We agreed to a new initiative that will make it easier and faster for people to travel and conduct business across the region. And yesterday, I was pleased to sign legislation, a new travel card that will help our American businessmen and women travel more easily and get deals done in this region.

I'd note that we also made a lot of progress increasing trade on the sidelines of APEC. As I announced yesterday, the United States and our eight partners reached the broad outlines of an agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. And today I’m pleased that Japan, Canada and Mexico have now expressed an interest in this effort.

This comes on the heels of our landmark trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Colombia, which will support tens of thousands of American jobs.

And in my meeting with President Medvedev, we discussed how to move ahead with Russia’s accession to the WTO, which will also mean more exports for American manufacturers and American farmers and ranchers.

Second, APEC agreed on ways to promote the green growth we need for our energy security. We agreed to reduce tariffs on environmental goods and make it easier to export clean energy technologies that create green jobs. We raised the bar on ourselves and we’ll aim for even higher energy efficiencies. And we’re moving ahead with the effort to phase out fossil fuel subsidies. This would be a huge step toward creating clean energy economies and fighting climate change, which is a threat to both the beauty and the prosperity of the region.

Third, we’re redoubling our efforts to make sure that regulations are encouraging trade and job creation, not discouraging trade and job creation. And this builds on the work that we’re doing in the United States to get rid of rules and regulations that are unjustified and that are overly burdensome. Our APEC partners are joining us in streamlining and coordinating regulations so that we’re sparking innovation and growth even as we protect public health and our environment.

And finally, since many of the leaders here were also at the recent G20 summit, we continued our efforts to get the global economy to grow faster. APEC makes up more than half the global economy, and it will continue to play a key role in achieving the strong and balanced growth that we need.

As I’ve said, as the world’s largest economy, the best thing that the United States can do for the global economy is to grow our own economy faster. And so I will continue to fight for the American Jobs Act so that we can put our people back to work.

I was glad to see that Congress moved forward on one aspect of the jobs bill -- tax credits for companies that are hiring veterans. But we’ve got to do a lot more than that.

So, again, I want to thank the people of Hawaii for their extraordinary hospitality and for all that they’ve done to help make this summit such a success. I want to thank my fellow leaders for the seriousness and sense of common purpose that they brought to our work. And I believe that the progress we’ve made here will help create jobs and keep America competitive in a region that is absolutely vital not only for our economy but also for our national security.

So, with that, I’m going to take a few questions. I’ll start with Ben Feller of AP.

Q Thank you very much, Mr. President. I’d like to ask you about Iran. Did you get any specific commitments from Russia or China on tightening sanctions? Did you move them at all? And do you fear the world is running out of options short of military intervention to keep Iran from getting nuclear weapons?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: One of the striking things over the last three years since I came into office is the degree of unity that we’ve been able to forge in the international community with respect to Iran. When I came into office, the world was divided and Iran was unified around its nuclear program. We now have a situation where the world is united and Iran is isolated. And because of our diplomacy and our efforts, we have, by far, the strongest sanctions on Iran that we’ve ever seen. And China and Russia were critical to making that happen. Had they not been willing to support those efforts in the United Nations, we would not be able to see the kind of progress that we’ve made.

And they’re having an impact. All our intelligence indicates that Iran’s economy is suffering as a consequence of this. And we’re also seeing that Iran’s influence in the region has ebbed, in part because their approach to repression inside of Iran is contrary to the Arab Spring that has been sweeping the Middle East.

So we are in a much stronger position now than we were two or three years ago with respect to Iran. Having said that, the recent IAEA report indicates what we already knew, which is, although Iran does not possess a nuclear weapon and is technically still allowing IAEA observers into their country, that they are engaging in a series of practices that are contrary to their international obligations and their IAEA obligations. And that’s what the IAEA report indicated.

So what I did was to speak with President Medvedev, as well as President Hu, and all three of us entirely agree on the objective, which is making sure that Iran does not weaponize nuclear power and that we don’t trigger a nuclear arms race in the region. That’s in the interests of all of us.

In terms of how we move forward, we will be consulting with them carefully over the next several weeks to look at what other options we have available to us. The sanctions have enormous bite and enormous scope, and we’re building off the platform that has already been established. The question is, are there additional measures that we can take. And we’re going to explore every avenue to see if we can solve this issue diplomatically.

I have said repeatedly and I will say it today, we are not taking any options off the table, because it’s my firm belief that an Iran with a nuclear weapon would pose a security threat not only to the region but also to the United States. But our strong preference is to have Iran meet its international obligations, negotiate diplomatically, to allow them to have peaceful use of nuclear energy in accordance with international law, but at the same time, forswear the weaponization of nuclear power.

And so we’re going to keep on pushing on that. And China and Russia have the same aims, the same objectives, and I believe that we’ll continue to cooperate and collaborate closely on that issue.

Dan Lothian.

Q Thank you, Mr. President. Last night at the Republican debate, some of the hopefuls -- they hope to get your job -- they defended the practice of waterboarding, which is a practice that you banned in 2009. Herman Cain said, “I don’t see that as torture.” Michelle Bachmann said that it’s “very effective.” So I’m wondering if you think that they’re uninformed, out of touch, or irresponsible?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: That’s a multiple-choice question, isn’t it? (Laughter.) Let me just say this: They’re wrong. Waterboarding is torture. It’s contrary to America’s traditions. It’s contrary to our ideals. That’s not who we are. That’s not how we operate. We don’t need it in order to prosecute the war on terrorism. And we did the right thing by ending that practice.

If we want to lead around the world, part of our leadership is setting a good example. And anybody who has actually read about and understands the practice of waterboarding would say that that is torture. And that's not something we do -- period.

Norah O'Donnell.

Q Thank you, Mr. President. If I could continue on that, the Republicans did have a debate on CBS last night. A lot of it was about foreign policy, and they were very critical of your record --

PRESIDENT OBAMA: That's shocking. (Laughter.)

Q So if I could get you to respond to something that Mitt Romney said. He said your biggest foreign policy failure is Iran. He said that if you are reelected Iran will have a nuclear weapon. Is Mitt Romney wrong?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: I am going to make a practice of not commenting on whatever is said in Republican debates until they've got an actual nominee. But as I indicated to Ben in the earlier question, you take a look at what we've been able to accomplish in mobilizing the world community against Iran over the last three years and it shows steady, determined, firm progress in isolating the Iranian regime, and sending a clear message that the world believes it would be dangerous for them to have a nuclear weapon.

Now, is this an easy issue? No. Anybody who claims it is, is either politicking or doesn’t know what they're talking about. But I think not only the world, but the Iranian regime understands very clearly how determined we are to prevent not only a nuclear Iran but also a nuclear arms race in the region, and a violation of nonproliferation norms that would have implications around the world, including in the Asia Pacific region where we have similar problems with North Korea.

David Nakamura.

Q Thank you, Mr. President. Yesterday in a speech before business leaders, you said that you want China to play by the rules. And then your staff later said that, in a bilateral meeting with President Hu, that you expressed that American business leaders are growing frustrated with the pace of change in China's economy. What rules is China not playing by? What specific steps do you need to see from China? And what punitive actions is your administration willing to take, as you said it would yesterday, if China does not play by the rules?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, first of all, I also said yesterday that we welcome the peaceful rise of China. It is in America's interests to see China succeed in lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. China can be a source of stability and help to underwrite international norms and codes of conduct.

And so what we've done over the last two years is to try to develop a frank, consistent, open relationship and dialogue with China, and it's yielded considerable benefits -- for example, support for issues like Iran. But what I've also said to Chinese leadership since I came into office is that when it comes to their economic practices, there are a range of things that they have done that disadvantage not just the United States but a whole host of their trading partners and countries in the region.

The most famous example is the issue of China's currency. Most economists estimate that the RMB is devalued by 20 to 25 percent. That means our exports to China are that much more expensive, and their imports into the United States are that much cheaper. Now, there's been slight improvement over the last year, partly because of U.S. pressure, but it hasn’t been enough. And it's time for them to go ahead and move towards a market-based system for their currency.

We recognize they may not be able to do it overnight, but they can do it much more quickly than they’ve done it so far. And, by the way, that would not necessarily be a bad thing for the Chinese economy, because they’ve been so focused on export-driven growth that they’ve neglected domestic consumption, building up domestic markets. It makes them much more vulnerable to shocks in the global economy. It throws the whole world economy out of balance because they’re not buying as much as they could be from other countries.

And this is not something that’s inconsistent with where Chinese leadership say they want to go. The problem is, is that you’ve got a bunch of export producers in China who like the system as it is, and making changes are difficult for them politically. I get it. But the United States and other countries, I think understandably, feel that enough is enough.

That’s not the only concern we have. Intellectual property rights and protections -- companies that do business in China consistently report problems in terms of intellectual property not being protected. Now, that’s particularly important for an advanced economy like ours, where that’s one of our competitive advantages, is we’ve got great engineers, great entrepreneurs, we’re designing extraordinary new products. And if they get no protection and the next thing you know China is operating as a low-cost producer and not paying any fees or revenues to folks who invented these products, that’s a problem.

So those are two examples, but there are a number of others. These practices aren’t secret. I think everybody understands that they’ve been going on for quite some time. Sometimes, American companies are wary about bringing them up because they don’t want to be punished in terms of their ability to do business in China. But I don’t have that same concern, so I bring it up.

And in terms of enforcement, the other thing that we’ve been doing is actually trying to enforce the trade laws that are in place. We’ve brought a number of cases -- one that the U.S. press may be familiar with are the cases involving U.S. tires, where we brought very aggressive actions against China and won. And as a consequence, U.S. producers are in a better position, and that means more U.S. jobs.

So I think we can benefit from trade with China. And I want certainly to continue cultivating a constructive relationship with the Chinese government, but we’re going to continue to be firm in insisting that they operate by the same rules that everybody else operates under. We don’t want them taking advantage of the United States or U.S. businesses.

Jake Tapper.

Q Thank you, Mr. President. The other day you told ESPN that the scandal at Penn State -- which you said was heartbreaking -- should prompt some soul-searching throughout the nation. I’m wondering if you could elaborate on that, what exactly you meant and -- I know you’re a big fan of college sports -- if this something you think that is an indictment not just of what happened at Penn State, allegedly, but how athletics are revered in universities.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, I think that’s the kind of soul-searching that I was referring to, Jake. You’re right, I’m a big college sports fan. I think that when it’s kept in perspective, college athletics not only provides a great outlet for competition for our young people, but helps to bring a sense of community and can help to brand a university in a way that is fun and important. But what happened at Penn State indicates that at a certain point, folks start thinking about systems and institutions and don’t think about individuals. And when you think about how vulnerable kids are, for the alleged facts of that case to have taken place and for folks not to immediately say, nothing else matters except making sure those kids are protected, that’s a problem.

It’s not unique to a college sports environment. I mean, we’ve seen problems in other institutions that are equally heartbreaking. Not all of them involve children, by the way. There have been problems, obviously, with respect to sexual abuse or assault directed against women, where institutions sort of closed ranks instead of getting on top of it right away. And that’s why I said I think all institutions, not just universities or sports programs, have to step back and take stock, and make sure that we’re doing everything we can to protect people who may be vulnerable in these circumstances, but also just keep in mind what’s important -- making sure that our excitement about a college sports program doesn’t get in the way of our basic human response when somebody is being hurt.

And it’s been said that evil can thrive in the world just by good people standing by and doing nothing. And all of us I think have occasion where we see something that’s wrong, we’ve got to make sure that we step up. That’s true in college athletics. That’s true in our government. That’s true everywhere.

Julianna Goldman.

Q Thank you, Mr. President. In conversations that you’ve had over the past couple of days with Asia Pacific leaders, have any of them brought up the rhetoric that we’re seeing from Republican presidential candidates when it comes to China? And does that kind of rhetoric or posturing jeopardize the progress that your administration has made with China and the Asia Pacific region as a whole?

THE PRESIDENT: I think most leaders here understand that politics is not always measured or on the level, and so most of our discussions have to do with substance: How do we put our people back to work right now? How do we expand trade? How do we expand exports?

I’ve been very frank with Chinese leaders, though, in saying that the American people across the board -- left, right and center -- believe in trade, believe in competition. We think we’ve got the best workers in the world. We think we’ve got the best universities, the best entrepreneurs, the best free market. We’re ready to go out there and compete with anybody. But there is a concern across the political spectrum that the playing field is not level right now.

And so, in conversations with President Hu and others, what I’ve tried to say is we have the opportunity to move in a direction in which this is a win-win: China is benefiting from trade with the United States; the United States is benefiting as well. Jobs are being created in the United States and not just in China. But right now things are out of kilter. And that is something that is shared across the board, as we saw with the recent vote on the Chinese currency issue in the Senate.

And I think leaders in the region understand that as China grows, as its economic influence expands, that the expectation is, is that they will be a responsible leader in the world economy -- which is what the United States has tried to do. I mean, we try to set up rules that are universal, that everybody can follow, and then we play by those rules. And then we compete fiercely. But we don’t try to game the system. That’s part of what leadership is about.

China has the opportunity to be that same type of leader. And as the world’s second-largest economy, I think that’s going to be important not just for this region, but for the world. But that requires them to take responsibility, to understand that their role is different now than it might have been 20 years ago or 30 years ago, where if they were breaking some rules, it didn’t really matter, it did not have a significant impact. You weren’t seeing huge trade imbalances that had consequences for the world financial system.

Now they’ve grown up, and so they’re going to have to help manage this process in a responsible way.

Laura Meckler.

Q Thank you, Mr. President. Why did you get rid of the aloha shirts and the grass skirts? (Laughter.) Are you at all concerned that it not appear that you’re having a party over here while so many people are living with such a tough economy? And I’m wondering if those perceptions were at all on your mind as you were making plans for this trip, which, by necessity, takes you to some pretty exotic and fun locations.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: I got rid of the Hawaiian shirts because I had looked at pictures of some of the previous APEC meetings and some of the garb that had appeared previously, and I thought this may be a tradition that we might want to break. I suggested to the leaders -- we gave them a shirt, and if they wanted to wear the shirt, I promise you it would have been fine. But I didn’t hear a lot of complaints about us breaking precedent on that one.

With respect to this trip, look, this is a pretty nice piece of scenery here and I take enormous pride in having been raised in the state of Hawaii, but we’re here for business. We’re here to create jobs. We’re here to promote exports. And we’ve got a set of tangible, concrete steps that have been taken that are going to make our economy stronger, and that’s part of what our leadership has been about.

When I went to Europe last week, our job was to help shape a solution for the European crisis. And a lot of folks back home might have wondered, well, that’s Europe’s problem; why are we worrying about it? Well, if Europe has a major recession, and the financial system in Europe starts spinning out of control, that will have a direct impact on U.S. growth and our ability to create jobs and people raising their living standards.

The same is true out here. If we’re not playing out here in the world’s largest regional economy and the world’s fastest regional economy, if we’ve abandoned the field and we’re not engaged, American businesses will lose out and those jobs won’t be in the United States of America.

So part of my job is to make sure that the rules of the road are set up so that our folks can compete effectively. Part of my job is to sell America and our products and our services around the world, and I think we’ve done so very effectively.

And as I said, just to take the example of exports, we’re on track to double our exports since I came into office. That was a goal I set, and we’re on track to meet it. That’s actually been one of the stronger parts of our economic growth over the last couple of years. And I want to make sure that we keep on driving that.

Chuck Todd.

Q Thank you, Mr. President. The Republican co-chair of the super committee, Jeb Hensarling, went on TV today and said if the sequester happens -- this idea of the automatic cuts in Medicare and defense -- that there was plenty of motivation and plenty of votes to change the makeup of these automatic cuts.

I know you had a conversation with him about this and said that changing it in any way was off the table, that means you’re going to veto this bill, if that’s the case, if it ends up they can’t get a deal in the next 10 days.

And then, can you clarify your end of the “hot mic” conversation with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, as it involved Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Could I just say that Chuck is the only guy who asked two questions -- so far. So just -- when I cut off here, whoever was next in the queue -- I’m messing with you, Chuck.

With respect to the super committee, in August we negotiated to initiate a trillion dollars in cuts over the next 10 years -- primarily out of discretionary spending -- but we also said that in order for us to move towards a more stable fiscal condition that we’re going to have to get an additional $1.2 trillion -- minimum. I actually argued that we needed more than that. And the whole idea of the sequester was to make sure that both sides felt obligated to move off rigid positions and do what was required to help the country.

And since that time, they’ve had a lot of conversations, but it feels as if people continue to try to stick with their rigid positions rather than solve the problem.

Now, I’ve put forward a very detailed approach that would achieve $3 trillion-plus in savings. And it’s the sort of balanced approach that the American people prefer. It says everything is on the table. We’ve got to have discretionary spending cuts of the sort we’ve already put in place. We’ve got to have non-defense cuts. We’ve got to have defense cuts. We’re going to have to look at entitlement programs. We’ve got to reduce our health care costs. And we’re going to need additional revenue.

And when we’re talking about revenue, if we’ve got to raise money, it makes sense for us to start by asking the wealthiest among us to pay a little bit more before we start asking seniors, for example, to pay a lot more for their Medicare.

Now, this is the same presentation that I made to Speaker Boehner back in August. It’s the same kind of balanced approach that every single independent committee that’s looked at this has said needs to be done. And it just feels as if people keep on wanting to jigger the math so that they get a different outcome.

Well, the equation, no matter how you do it, is going to be the same. If you want a balanced approach that doesn’t gut Medicare and Medicaid, doesn’t prevent us from making investments in education and basic science and research -- all the things we’ve been talking about here at APEC, that every world leader understands is the key for long-term economic success -- then prudent cuts have to be matched up with revenue.

My hope is that over the next several days, the congressional leadership on the super committee go ahead and bite the bullet and do what needs to be done -- because the math won’t change. There’s no magic formula. There are no magic beans that you can toss on the ground and suddenly a bunch of money grows on trees. We got to just go ahead and do the responsible thing. And I’m prepared to sign legislation that is balanced, that solves this problem.

One other thing that I want to say about this: When I meet with world leaders, what’s striking -- whether it’s in Europe or here in Asia -- the kinds of fundamental reforms and changes both on the revenue side and the public pension side that other countries are having to make are so much more significant than what we need to do in order to get our books in order.

This doesn’t require radical changes to America or its way of life. It just means that we spread out the sacrifice across every sector so that it’s fair; so that people don’t feel as if once again people who are well connected, people who have lobbyists, special interests get off easy, and the burden is placed on middle-class families that are already struggling. So if other countries can do it, we can do it -- and we can do it in a responsible way.

I’m not going to comment on whether I’d veto a particular bill until I actually see a bill, because I still hold out the prospect that there’s going to be a light-bulb moment where everybody says “Ah-ha! Here’s what we’ve got to do.”

With respect to the “hot mic” in France, I’m not going to comment on conversations that I have with individual leaders, but what I will say is this: The primary conversation I had with President Sarkozy in that meeting revolved around my significant disappointment that France had voted in favor of the Palestinians joining UNESCO, knowing full well that under our laws, that would require the United States cutting off funding to UNESCO, and after I had consistently made the argument that the only way we’re going to solve the Middle East situation is if Palestinians and Israelis sit down at the table and negotiate; that it is not going to work to try to do an end run through the United Nations.

So I had a very frank and firm conversation with President Sarkozy about that issue. And that is consistent with both private and public statements that I’ve been making to everybody over the last several months.

Ed Henry.

Q Mr. President, I have three questions -- (laughter) -- starting with Mitt Romney. Just one question, I promise. (Laughter.)

You started with a $447-billion jobs bill. Two months later, many speeches later, you’ve got virtually nothing from that. You’ve got the veterans jobs bill -- which is important, obviously -- and a lot of executive orders. Are you coming to the realization that you may just get nothing here and go to the American people in 2012 without another jobs bill, 9 percent unemployment, and then wondering about your leadership, sir?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, I think -- I think, first of all, the American people, at this point, are wondering about congressional leadership in failing to pass the jobs bill, the components of which the majority of Americans, including many Republicans, think are a good idea.

And that's part of the reason why the American people right now aren’t feeling real good about Congress. Normally, by the way, the way politics works is if the overwhelming majority of the American people aren’t happy with what you're doing you start doing something different. So far that hasn’t happened in Congress -- and the Republicans in Congress, in particular. They don't seem to have that same sense of urgency about needing to put people back to work.

I'm going to keep on pushing. My expectation is, is that we will get some of it done now, and I'll keep on pushing until we get all of it done. And that may take me all the way to November to get it all done. And it may take a new Congress to get it all done. But the component parts -- cutting taxes for middle-class families, cutting taxes for small businesses that are hiring our veterans and hiring the long-term unemployed, putting teachers back in the classroom -- here in the state of Hawaii, you have a bunch of kids who are going to school four days a week because of budget problems. How are we going to win the competition in the 21st century with our kids going to school basically halftime?
The jobs bill would help alleviate those budget pressures at the state level.

Rebuilding our infrastructure. Every world leader that you talk to, they're saying to themselves, how can we make sure we've got a first-class infrastructure? And as you travel through the Asia Pacific region, you see China having better airports than us, Singapore having superior ports to ours. Well, that's going to impact our capacity to do business here, our capacity to trade, our capacity to get U.S. products made by U.S. workers into the fastest-growing market in the world. And by the way, we could put a lot of people back to work at the same time.

So I'm going to keep on pushing. And my expectation is, is that we will just keep on chipping away at this. If you're asking me do I anticipate that the Republican leadership in the House or the Senate suddenly decide that I was right all along and they will adopt a hundred percent of my proposals, the answer is, no, I don't expect that. Do I anticipate that at some point they recognize that doing nothing is not an option? That's my hope. And that should be their hope, too, because if they don't, I think we'll have a different set of leaders in Congress.

All right? Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you.

END
5:50 P.M. HAST

Close Transcript

Source: The White House
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2011/11/13/president-obama-holds-press-conference-apec-summit

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What is at stake in the South China Sea?

2011-11-14T14:54:00.000-08:00

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Peter Dutton, Director of China Maritime Studies Institute in the Center for Naval Warfare Studies of the Naval War College, speaks with Ernest Bower, Director of the CSIS Southeast Asia Program, about the conflicting claims over the South China Sea and what that means for international relations.

Source: http://cogitasia.com/video-peter-dutton-on-the-sc/

Hoa Thịnh Đốn: Tham dự diễn hành ngày Cựu Chiến Binh

2011-11-14T07:36:00.000-08:00

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Hoa Thịnh Đốn: Tham dự diễn hành ngày Cựu Chiến Binh
Tuyết Mai

Trong nắng ấm chan hòa và gió nhẹ của một ngày cuối Thu, trước hằng trăm ngàn người Hoa Kỳ và các sắc dân tại thành phố Manassas, Virginia, cờ vàng rực rỡ Việt Nam Cộng Hòa được giương cao, ngạo nghễ tung bay trong niềm hãnh diện dân tộc trên đường phố Center Street. Liên Hội Cựu Chiến Sĩ VNCH/HTĐ và Phụ cận đã phối hợp với CĐVN Washington, D.C., MD&VA đã tham gia cuộc diễn hành nhân ngày Cựu Chiến Binh HK được tổ chức vào lúc 11 giờ sáng ngày 12 Tháng 11, 2011tại Manassas, VA.

Tiến sĩ Tạ Cự Hải, Trưởng ban tổ chức cho biết, mục đích của Liên Hội và Cộng Đồng VN tham gia cuộc diễn hành là muốn vinh danh chính nghĩa của Việt Nam Cộng Hòa, vinh danh lá cờ vàng và muốn phô trương sức mạnh của cộng đồng Việt Nam ở hải ngoại.

Đó là mục đích chính, và mục đích thứ hai là để vinh danh Quân Cán Cảnh VNCH cũng như đồng bào Việt Nam đã từng chiến đấu bên cạnh những chiến sĩ đồng minh trong công cuộc bảo vệ tự do cho Miền Nam VN trước 1975.

Mục đích chính của cuộc diễn hành này, người Mỹ muốn vinh danh tất cả các cựu chiến binh Hoa Kỳ đã chiến đấu tại Việt Nam cũng như tại Đại Hàn. Những chiến binh này xưa nay đã bị bỏ quên vì Chính phủ HK có mặc cảm về chiến tranh cũng như chiến bại vv…Nhân ngày Cựu Chiến Binh Hội Cựu Chiến Binh HK muốn phục hồi danh dự cho những người cựu chiến binh đã chiến đấu tại Việt Nam cũng như tại Đại Hàn trước đây.

Ngày nay chúng ta cũng là công dân của Hoa Kỳ, cũng nên đóng góp vào ngày này, nhưng mục tiêu tối hậu của phái đoàn VNCH là muốn đưa chính nghĩa của VNCH, của Quân Đội và Quân Cán Cảnh, đồng bào Việt Nam đã hy sinh rất nhiều và cũng tỏ lòng biết ơn sự hy sinh của các chiến hữu đồng minh. Đặc biệt là những chiến hữu, chiến binh HK đã chiến đấu rất cam go trong cuộc chiến tranh VN kéo dài trong nhiều năm, đã hy sinh hơn 58 ngàn người. Đây cũng là một việc làm chúng ta bày tỏ lòng tri ân họ.

Trong cuộc diễn hành ở Manassas có sự phối hợp của tất cả bảy vị “Grand Marshal”, là những sĩ quan cấp, tướng, tá, đại diện, chỉ huy tất cả các đơn vị của họ trong cuộc diễn hành. Có năm “Grand Marshal” người Mỹ, một Đại tá Đại Hàn và Cựu Trung Tướng Lữ Lan là “Grand Marshal” của các cựu chiến binh Việt Nam Cộng Hòa. Cựu Trung Tướng Lữ Lan được BTC cung cấp xe jeep riêng lúc diễn hành. Hậu duệ Lữ Anh Thư là Ủy viên Liên lạc và Phối hợp với BTC Manassas Veterans Parade. Đặc biệt trong phái đoàn diễn hành của VNCH có sự tham dự của Hội Cựu Quân Nhân Ontario ở Canada, do Ông Trần Thiện hướng dẫn về tham dự.

Đây là lần đầu tiên LHCCSVNCH/HTĐ và CĐVN Washington, D.C., MD&VA tham dự diễn hành ngày Cựu Chiến Binh ở Manassas, VA. Tuần trước 6 Tháng 11, cũng là lần đầu tiên LHCCSVNCH/HTĐ và CĐVNHTĐ, MD&VA tham gia diễn hành Ngày Cựu Chiến Binh ở Brunswick, MD. Có lẽ phái đoàn Việt Nam CH là đông nhất, với hơn một trăm người tham dự, gồm các cựu quân nhân các quân binh chủng, Cảnh Sát Quốc Gia, Xây Dựng Nông Thôn và dân sự.

Cuộc diễn hành bắt đầu lúc 11 giờ sáng ở đường Pressott Avenue đi dọc theo Center Street và chấm dứt lúc 12 giờ. Đội hình của phái đoàn VNCH, đi đầu là “banner” của Cộng Đồng HTĐ, MD&VA do một số phụ nữ mặc áo dài vàng, khăn vành vàng cầm, kế đến toán quốc quan kỳ Hoa Kỳ và VNCH. Sau đó là “banner” của Liên Hội Cựu Chiến sĩ VNCH/HTĐ và phụ cận , cũng do một số phữ mặc áo dài vàng và khăn vành vàng và hai người mặc áo xanh cầm. Những phụ nữ áo vàng có tên là “Những Bà Mẹ Việt Nam”, có tinh thần phục vụ đất nước, cộng đồng rất cao. Đồng phục của họ là áo dài vàng và khăn vành vàng, trên vai áo có choàng màu cờ vàng ba sọc đỏ. Các chị em luôn có mặt để vinh danh lá cờ vàng ở bất cứ lễ lộc nào quan trọng hay trong những cuộc diễn hành, bất cứ ở đâu New York, Washington, D.C…. dù mưa dầm, nắng gắt, tuyết rơi.

Trong các phái đoàn cũng có những phụ nữ mặc áo xanh dương, là phu nhân và gia đình của các Cựu Sinh Viên Sĩ Quan Trừ Bị Thủ Đức có danh xưng là “Cư An Tư Nguy”, cầm lá đại kỳ VNCH trải rộng. Đây cũng là những phụ nữ có tinh thần phục vụ đất nước và cộng đồng rất cao. Các chị em là niềm hãnh diện của phụ nữ VN vùng HTĐ, luôn dấn thân phục vụ, giương cao màu cờ Tổ Quốc. Đồng phục của các chị em là áo dài xanh và khăn vành xanh. Màu xanh tương phản với màu cờ vàng ba sọc đỏ, luôn là nét đẹp tuyệt vời lôi cuốn sự chú ý, vỗ tay tán thưởng nhiệt liệt trong những cuộc diễn hành có sự tham dự của cộng đồng Việt Nam.

Ngoài những màu sắc rực rỡ, tươi đẹp của các phụ nữ, của quý đồng hương nam giới trong quốc phục áo dài xanh khăn đóng và các trẻ em cũng trong quốc phục, còn có sự diễn hành rất oai hùng của những cựu chiến binh VNCH trong sắc áo của các quân binh chủng Hải Lục Không Quân. Màu áo rằn ri chiến trận, của Nhảy Dù, Thủy Quân Lục chiến, Biệt Động Quân, Lực Lượng Đặc Biệt, Bộ binh , sinh viên của các Trung tâm huấn luyện, cựu Sinh Viên Sĩ Quan Võ Bị Việt Nam, cựu Sinh Viên Sĩ Quan Trừ Bị Thủ Đức, hậu duệ…đã gợi nhớ cuộc đời các chiến sĩ đầy gian lao, hiểm nguy ngoài chiến trận, được quan khách hai bên đường vỗ tay hoa nghênh nhiệt liệt. Đặc biệt trong cuộc diễn hành này có hai xe jeep và hai quân xa có treo nhiều cờ vàng, cờ Tổng Tham Mưu và cờ các quân đoàn, cờ các quân binh chủng… trên một quân xa c ó “banner” ghi “Thank you for your sacrifice in the Vietnam War” được khán giả hai bên đường vỗ tay tán thưởng, nhiệt liệt.

Trong dịp này Cựu Trung Tướng Lữ Lan cho biết một vài cảm nghĩ, người chiến sĩ VNCH vì tình huynh đệ và nghĩa đồng bào đã vui sống hơn ba mươi sáu năm qua ở hải ngoại. Những cuộc tập hợp như trong cuộc diễn hành này đã khơi lại niềm hãnh diện về tinh thần chiến đấu của các chiến sĩ VNCH trong những chiến trận năm xưa, đồng thời cũnng nuôi dưỡng niềm hy vọng trong một thế giới vô cùng sôi động trước những tham tàn của Tàu Cộng ở Đông Nam Á. Có lẽ thế giới tự do sẽ không khoanh tay ngồi nhìn.

Trong lúc đó tiềm năng của người Việt Quốc Gia ở hải càng ngày càng dồi, dào. Nếu các hội đoàn của ngừơi Việt Quốc Gia khéo kết hợp, có chính nghĩa, sẽ biến thành một thế lực chính trị có thể làm đổi thay đất nước. Mục tiêu trước mắt của cựu chiến sĩ VN hôm nay là giúp đỡ anh em thương phế binh ở quê nhà và cố gầy dựng một tập thể cựu chiền sĩ có quy cũ, có tôn ti trật tự, một lòng một dạ với lý tưởng quốc gia, đoàn kết tạo sức mạnh và nêu gương hào khí, tiếp nối sự nghiệp của cha ông . Đó là cảm tưởng của Cựu Trung Tướng Lữ Lan người đại diện, điều hợp chỉ huy LHCCSVNCH/HTĐ và phụ cận trong cuộc diễn hành Ngày Cựu Chiến Binh tại Manassas, Virginia.

Trở lại không khí cuộc diễn hành. Sắp vào Đông, thời tiết Miền Đông Bắc HK khá lạnh, nhưng niềm hãnh diện về sắc áo trong Quân đội và màu cờ của dân tộc, của quê hương, được giương cao giữa hằng trăm ngàn người Hoa Kỳ và các sắc dân, trên một đuờng phố lớn ở HK, đã làm cho nhiều người tham gia cảm thấy ấm lòng. Niềm hân hoan và phấn khởi đã tràn trào trên gương mặt, trong từng bước chân đi, trong từng cánh tay vẫy chào hòa cùng màu sắc của quốc phục VN lạ mắt, rực rỡ, tươi đẹp đã làm cho phái đoàn VNCH là một trong những phái đoàn lôi cuốn, đẹp mắt nhất trong cuộc diễn hành ở Manassas.

Trên thế giới này có một dân tộc nào như dân tộc Việt Nam, đã hơn ba mươi sáu năm lưu vong trên khắp hoàn cầu, vẫn luôn ôm ấp rong tim tình yêu Tổ quốc, vẫn gìn giữ trong tay lá cờ vàng rực rỡ, biểu tượng của quê hương mến yêu? Nhìn lá cờ vàng phất phới tung bay trong nắng ấm, giữa phố đông người ngoại quốc, nhiều người Việt Nam cảm động ứa nước mắt, thầm mơ ước một ngày nào lá cờ thiêng này sẽ được trang trọng rước về trên quê hương Việt Nam dấu yêu.

Cuộc diễn hành chấm dứt lúc 12 giờ, sau đó những phái đoàn được khoản đãi ăn trưa ở Harris Pavilion, có phụ diễn âm nhạc văn hóa dân tộc do Giáo Sư Kim Oanh phụ trách.

Hình ảnh cuộc diễn hành trong www.youtube.com/tuyetmai45

Voice of Vietnamese Americans honors and thanks all who served in the United States Armed Forces

2011-11-10T22:25:00.000-08:00

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On this Veterans Day, November 11, 2011, Voice of Vietnamese Americans honors and thanks all who served in the United States Armed Forces. We especially are grateful to all Veterans' families who have generously shared your loved ones with the nation.

As Vietnamese Americans, we would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to all who served in the Vietnam War. You have fought a very noble war.

Vietnam Veterans have answered a noble call of not only their nation, but of humanity. Vietnam Veterans have responded to the noblest call of all wars: to fight against the genocidal ideology of Communism.[1]

On November 11, 1945, the people of Vietnam had made a clear choice in pressuring Ho Chi Minh to dissolve the Communist Party of Indochina.[2]

In 1954, one million Vietnamese had made a clear choice against Communism when they left the North to go South. [3]

After 1975, nearly one million Vietnamese risked their lives in the open sea to escape Communism.[4]

Until today, 90 millions of Vietnamese continue their fight against Communism and the Red China.[5]

The United States have sent troops to Vietnam to support the noblest cause against Communism since 1954 till 1975. The US left Vietnam in 1975, but the war against Communism and the Red China continues.[6]

What happened after 1975 in Cambodia, in Laos, in Myanmar, in Vietnam, have clearly illuminated the noble cause of the Vietnam War.

What happened today in Tibet, in Myanmar, in the South China Sea, on the bank of the Mekong River, on the bank of the Irrawaddy River, have clearly illuminated the noble cause of the Vietnam War.

Vietnamese Americans respectfully recognize and vindicate all Vietnam Veterans who have fought that Noble War. You are our true heroes and heroines.

In memoriam of 58,195 Vietnam Veterans who have sacrificed their lives for the Noble Cause [7], Vietnamese Americans send our best wishes to the Asia-Pacific-Economic-Cooperation (APEC) Conference starting this very day of November 11, 2011 in Hawaii, USA.[8]

May the efforts to bring about jobs for our US Veterans and Americans, to protect US National Interests, to secure sustainable global peace, be successful with democracy, liberty, and justice for all.

May God bless our Veterans and bless America,

Voice of Vietnamese Americans

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[1]The Black Book of Communism

[2] Thông cáo Đảng Cộng sản Đông Dương tự ý giải tán, ngày 11-11-1945

[3] Viet Nam: Cuộc Di Cư Lịch Sử 1954

[4] April 1975

[5] Vietnamese Boat People - The Price of Freedom

[6] Vietnamese People Still Fighting Against Communism and the Red China

[7] The Vietnam Veterans Memorial

[8] APEC Finance Ministers Issue Joint Statement on Economy in Hawaii

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2011 Election Results: Mixed Messages - NPR

2011-11-10T07:13:00.000-08:00

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Source: NPR - by Mark Memmott
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/11/09/142166876/2011-election-results-mixed-messages

As news outlets try to decipher what Tuesday's election results tell us about what voters are thinking, they're reaching various conclusions.

— "Warning Sign" For Obama? The Washington Post, focusing on one key state, says "legislative elections in Virginia appeared likely to add more evidence — as if national Democrats needed it — that the terrain of the political map will be significantly more rugged for President Obama next year." With one Virginia Senate race still too close to call, Democrats were on the brink of losing control of that chamber.

— "Pause In Conservative Trend? Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times casts a wider net and decides that because "Ohio voters overturned a controversial law that would have weakened public employee unions and Mississippians rejected an antiabortion 'personhood' initiative," the results suggest "at least a pause in the strong conservative Republican trend that swept Democrats from office in 2010."

And Politico reaches a similar conclusion, writing that Democrats did well because they "claimed victories in a number of races Tuesday, including in Kentucky, Ohio and Mississippi, where voters sided with their candidates or ballot initiatives backed by the party."

— Continued Conservative Backlash On Health Care: Still, as the Plain Dealer reports, the "conservative base" in Ohio turned out in force to support a ballot issue that would "bar any legislation requiring Ohioans to buy health insurance" — a direct shot at the federal health care overhaul.

— Rejection Of Conservative Stand On Immigration? In Arizona, though, state Senate President Russell Pearce "was on the verge of losing his Senate seat in Tuesday's unprecedented recall election," the Arizona Republic reports. And he has been, as the newspaper says, "one of the most influential state politicians in the nation and a powerful voice on illegal immigration" as the main force behind the state's controversial Senate Bill 1070 immigration legislation.

On Morning Edition, NPR's Julie Rovner reported about the vote in Mississippi on "personhood." As she said, "voters in Colorado had twice rejected similar amendments to declare that life begins legally at fertilization ... but Mississippi, with its far more conservative bent, was considered much friendlier territory." She adds that "supporters ... aren't giving up. Efforts are already underway to get similar constitutional amendments on the ballot in another half dozen states next year and to pass personhood legislation in at least two more."

Julie Rovner reports on 'Morning Edition'

There's more about the Mississippi vote at It's All Politics.

Also on Morning Edition, Bill Cohen of Ohio Public Radio reported from Columbus that "unions and their allies are basking in their big win" on the public employee unions issue. And at It's All Politics, Elise Hu writes that the the unions' victory could be "a momentum shift in their direction."

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/virginia-elections-may-be-a-warning-sign-for-obama/2011/11/08/gIQANhxg3M_story.html?hpid=z1

Tuesday’s legislative elections in Virginia appeared likely to add more evidence — as if national Democrats needed it — that the terrain of the political map will be significantly more rugged for President Obama next year.

It is difficult to draw a bright trend line from an election in which fewer than one-third of those registered voted. When turnout is as light as it was on Tuesday, those who do show up tend to be the most dogged partisans.

Voters are considering a law limiting the collective-bargaining rights of public workers in Ohio and the so-called personhood amendment in Mississippi. Voters also chose governors in Mississippi and Kentucky.

But analysts and political strategists of both parties said the expected Republican gains — even if less than was expected — underscored the need for the president to reinvigorate his supporters and close what is becoming known as the “enthusiasm gap” between the two parties.

“The enthusiasm gap has been completely reversed in the state. Republicans have it. Democrats don’t,” said political scientist Bob Holsworth, a former professor at Virginia Commonwealth University who now runs a Web site called Virginia Tomorrow.

In 2008, Obama’s seven-point victory in Virginia marked the first time that any Democratic candidate had carried the state since Lyndon B. Johnson’s landslide national victory in 1964. Duplicating that feat in 2012 would make his reelection significantly easier.

The political tide, however, has been running the other way — starting with the 2009 election of Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell and continuing with GOP victories in last year’s midterm elections.

“Independents specifically have rejected the Obama agenda, and they are fully supportive of the McDonnell agenda,” said Phil Cox, who managed the governor’s campaign and is now executive director of the Republican Governors Association.

Meanwhile, the energy of the tea party movement has ginned up Republican enthusiasm in Virginia, as have conservative outside groups.

Tim Phillips, a veteran Virginia operative who is president of the tea party-aligned Americans for Prosperity, said his organization spent $300,000 in Virginia. Much of that money was aimed at drawing a connection between local contests and the anger that conservatives feel toward the president.

Particularly in Northern Virginia, Phillips said, polling shows “the vast majority of people really don’t know their state legislators.”

Obama’s campaign has continued to nurture his operation in Virginia. In the seven months since the president officially announced his bid for a second term, the campaign estimates that it has held 1,600 events — phone banks, house parties, voter registration drives and the like. And the president himself has been a presence in the state, most recently with a two-day swing last month to promote his jobs plan.

That kind of effort, however, doesn’t necessarily pay off for local candidates in an election in which the president himself is not on the ballot, said Mark J. Rozell, a professor of public policy at George Mason University.

“If anything,” he added, “the president is a negative right now for Democrats running in Virginia.”

Democrats in a number of tight races resisted their opponents’ efforts to tie them to the president. House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong found himself the target of one such ad by his opponent, Del. Charles D. Poindexter.

So Armstrong put up his own spot, in which he responded: “That’s a stretch, Charles. I’m pro-life, pro-gun and I always put Virginia first.” Armstrong was trailing Poindexter with 95 percent of the votes counted.

Bolstering the Democrats’ confidence for next year, however, is the expectation that the shape and the size of the electorate will be very different, in Virginia as elsewhere.

“Turnout is everything,” said Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, a Northern Virginia Democrat. He noted that presidential election years tend to bring out three times as many people as voted in Virginia on Tuesday, including large blocs of minority voters who tend to sit out off-year contests.

“Those are very different electorates,” Connolly said late Tuesday, “no matter what happens tonight.”

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2011 Virginia Elections: GOP Asserts Senate Majority As Recount In Houck-Reeves Race Still A Possibility

2011-11-10T07:10:00.000-08:00

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/09/2011-virginia-elections-recount_n_1084700.html

WASHINGTON -- As Republicans prepare to assert majority rule in the Virginia Senate following Tuesday's general elections, the one remaining unsettled contest may remain unresolved in the coming weeks, leaving the slim possibility that Democrats may still end up controlling the narrowly divided chamber.

According to unofficial results from Tuesday's vote, the Republican candidate in the 17th District race, Bryce Reeves, held a slight lead, up to 226 votes as of the most recent count on Wednesday afternoon. But that finish falls within the margin needed to call for a recount.

While the Democratic incumbent, Sen. Edd Houck, hasn't said much on Wednesday, the apparently defeated candidate indicated the contest isn't over yet. According to the senator's Facebook page:

As I write, the outcome of yesterday's election is not complete with the proper legal procedures being implemented to ensure all votes are accurately counted to remove any doubt of the final result. What is not in doubt is my heartfelt appreciation for all of the support I have received from family, friends and colleagues. All of you have been fantastic! Stay tuned to get the final results.

If Houck formally requests a recount, what would that entail? Patch details the process, which would start once the election results are certified and would involve petitioning circuit courts in Richmond and Spotsylvania County:

Within five days of the recount petition, the chief judge of the circuit court will call a preliminary hearing where each party can inspect electronic voting machines used in the election and have access to pollbooks used during the election. The chief judge also can name the location for the recount.

The recount process could take a few weeks to play out.

In the meantime, Virginia Republicans are planning for a GOP majority to organize the Senate. As the Free Lance-Star reports, the GOP doesn't want a 20-20 split in the Senate -- which is the likely scenario assuming Houck doesn't return to the chamber -- to lead to a power-sharing arrangement with Democratic lawmakers like one in the 1990s.

"Make no mistake about it, there is a Republican majority in the state Senate and that majority fully intends to organize," Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling said at a Wednesday afternoon news conference, according to the Fredericksburg newspaper. In a 20-20 divided Senate, Bolling would cast tie-breaking votes. That would include votes on organizing the chamber under a Republican majority, including committees.

Source: The Huffington Post

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Quyền Cử Tri tại Virginia (Voter's Rights in Virginia)

2011-11-07T10:51:00.000-08:00

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VOTER'S RIGHTS IN VIRGINIA
Quyền Cử Tri tại Virginia

Xin cắt bài viết này và giữ trong ví của bạn, chung với thẻ cử tri. Nó giúp bạn biết rõ về quyền lợi của cử tri nếu bạn bị ai làm khó dễ tại địa điểm bỏ phiếu.

1. Nếu bạn ghi danh cử tri tại Virginia, bạn có thể đi bầu tại phòng phiếu nơi bạn có địa chỉ khi ghi danh.

2. Đem theo giấy tờ phòng thân đến địa điểm bỏ phiếu. Tại Virginia, giấy tờ này gồm Thẻ Cử Tri tại VA, bằng lái xe tại VA, Thẻ An Sinh Xã Hội, Thẻ làm việc cho chính phủ tiểu bang VA hay chính phủ Liên Bang, hay một thẻ nhân viên có hình chụp.

3. Nếu đây là lần đầu tiên bạn ghi danh đi bầu tại Virginia, và nếu bạn ghi danh qua đường bưu điện mà không trình căn cước khi ghi danh, bạn BẮT BUỘC phải trình giấy tờ chứng minh căn cước tại phòng phiếu

4. Nếu trước đây bạn đã bỏ phiếu tại Virginia và tên của bạn còn trên danh sách đi bầu tại địa điểm đầu phiếu, nhưng bạn quên ID, bạn vẫn có quyền bỏ phiếu sau khi ký một giấy cam kết nói rằng bạn đã ghi danh cử tri tại địa hạt này. Nhân viên phòng phiếu có thể yêu cầu bạn về nhà lấy ID rồi trở lại, nhưng nếu điều này không thể được, thì bạn nên xin phép ký một tờ chứng thực.

5. Nếu tài liệu tại phòng phiếu sai lầm, cho thấy bạn đã dời chỗ ở hay đã bỏ phiếu rồi trong lúc bạn thực sự chưa, hay nếu một nhân viên phòng phiếu làm khó bạn, bạn có thể bỏ phiếu sau khi ký một tờ chứng thực nói rằng bạn là cử tri tại địa hạt này.

6. Nếu bạn lỡ làm sai một điều gì, bạn có thể xin một lá phiếu khác trước khi bạn bỏ phiếu. Bạn không thể nào lấy lại lá phiếu sau khi đã đầu phiếu.

7. Nếu bạn trên 65 tuổi hay lớn tuổi hơn hay bị tật nguyền, bạn có thể đầu phiếu tại lề đường với máy bỏ phiếu mang đến tận xe. Xin nhờ bất cứa ai đến nói với nhân viên phòng phiếu để yêu cầu điều này.

8. Nếu bạn bị mù, bị tật nguyền, hay không biết đọc biết viết, bạn có thể được nhân viên phòng phiếu hay thân nhân giúp đỡ ngay tại phòng phiếu.

9. Nếu bạn bị tật nguyền, hay không biết viết biết đọc, bạn có thể xin được sự giúp đỡ của một nhân viên phòng phiếu hay củu người nhà hoặc bạn bè.

10. Bạn có quyền xem trước một lá phiếu mẫu và xin được nhân viên phòng phiếu hướng dẫn về cách thức dùng máy bỏ phiếu ngay tại địa điểm bỏ phiếu.

11. Bạn có quyền được đầu phiếu mà không bị hăm dọa. Nếu bạn cảm thấy có vấn đề gì khi bỏ phiếu, xin gọi Voice of Vietnamese Americans: 703-593-7182

12. Nếu bạn đang đứng xếp hàng chờ đến phiên mình để bỏ phiếu mà hết giờ (thường là 7 p.m.) , bạn có quyền được tiếp tục bỏ phiếu. Lúc 7 p.m, nhân viên phòng phiếu phải đến tận cuối hàng và tất cả mọi người đang xếp hàng trước nhân viên phòng phiếu này đều có quyền bỏ phiếu.

13. Nếu bạn có vấn đề khi bỏ phiếu, bạn có thể xin vị Chánh Văn Phòng Bầu Cử, người chịu trách nhiệm chính tại địa điểm đầu phiếu, giúp bạn. Nên trình bày các vấn đề trước khi bạn rời phòng đầu phiếu. Mẫu đơn cho cử tri và các thông tin có tại www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb

14. Nếu bạn không thể giải quyết vấn đề một cách thỏa đáng với nhân viên phòng phiếu tại khu vực, xin gọi Voice of Vietnamese Americans: 703-593-7182 để được trợ giúp.

CHỌN MẶT GỬI VÀNG
MỖI LÁ PHIẾU LÀ MỘT TIẾNG NÓI, MỘT VIÊN GẠCH
XIN HÃY ĐI BẦU CHO ĐÔNG ĐẢO
ĐỂ NGƯỜI MỸ GỐC VIỆT CÓ TIẾNG NÓI MẠNH MẼ

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Virginians: VOTE on Tuesday November 8, 2011

2011-11-07T10:40:00.000-08:00

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VA 2011 Election Day is here: VOTE on Tuesday November 08, 2011

Find your polling place and view your sample ballot at the
State Board of Elections web site

Tips for voting:
• Remember to bring your photo ID for easiest voting. If you do not have an ID with you, you may sign an "Affirmation of Identity" statement prior to voting or cast a provisional ballot if your registration status is unclear.
• You may still cast your ballot if you are in line by 7:00 p.m. when the polls close.
• If you are 65 years of age or older, or if you have a physical disability, you may have a ballot brought to your vehicle instead of entering the polling place.
• You may seek help from election officials on understanding the voting process, on how to operate the voting equipment, to assist you with casting your vote if you have a disability, or to give you a replacement ballot before your vote is cast.

Voter's Rights in Virginia - Quyền Cử Tri tại Virginia

Kính Mời Quý Đồng Hương
Đi Đông - Bầu Đúng - Cử Xứng
Để Nói Lên Sức Mạnh của Cộng Đồng Mỹ Gốc Việt
Thứ Ba 08 tháng 11, 2011
06:00pm – 07:00pm

Quý vị có thể tìm địa điểm bỏ phiếu của mình bằng cách điền chi tiết cá nhân vào website dưới đây: State Board of Elections web site

Lá phiếu của quý đồng hương sẽ giúp tạo sức mạnh cho thế đứng của cộng đồng người Mỹ Gốc Việt chúng ta.
Đi Đông - Bầu Đúng - Cử Xứng

Voter's Rights in Virginia - Quyền Cử Tri tại Virginia

Volunteers needed!

2011-11-05T13:56:00.000-07:00

Just days until Virginia elections!

VVA is providing voter education information to historically disenfranchised groups, such as Vietnamese Americans and other minority groups, in Northern Virginia. Our tasks consist of canvassing (knocking on doors) and phone calling in the NoVA area.

This volunteering opportunity offers a solid experience in promoting civic engagement and democracy in action. Volunteer shifts are available starting immediately. Please contact Vel Hernandez at veleh1025@gmail.com.

Volunteers choose at least one, or all, of the following shifts:

Sunday, Nov 6: 12:00-5:00pm
Monday, Nov 7: 2:30-7:30pm
Tuesday, Nov 8: 10:00-3:00pm

Volunteers must have a car. The shift (five hours) must be completed in entirety. No experience is necessary. We will train you.

Join our campaign team today!

Please email Vel Hernandez for more information at veleh1025 at gmail.com
or call (703) 362-7873.

"Nói Chuyện Với Ứng Cử Viên" tại Mason District, Do Voice of Vietnamese Americans tổ chức được hưởng ứng nồng nhiệt

2011-11-03T18:13:00.000-07:00

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Ngày 28 tháng 10, 2011, buổi "Nói Chuyện Với Ứng Cử Viên" tại Mason District, Annandale, do Voice of Vietnamese Americans tổ chức đã thành công mỹ mãn với sự tham dự của 14 ứng cử viên tranh cử cho nhiều cấp bậc khác nhau, từ địa phương đến tiểu bang, và từ cả đảng Dân Chủ (D), Cộng Hoà (R), đến Độc Lập và Green (I/G), và nhiều cử tri Mỹ gốc Việt trong vùng.

Buổi "Nói Chuyện Với Ứng Cử Viên" đặc biệt có sự khuyến khích và hỗ trợ của Hội Cao Niên, Nghị Hội Người Việt Toàn Quốc tại Hoa Kỳ, Cộng Đồng Việt Nam vùng Hoa Thịnh Đốn - DC - Maryalnd - Virginia, Hội Các Bà Mẹ Việt Nam, Liên Đoàn Hồng Bàng, Hội Giáo Dục Trẻ Em Việt Nam, Hội Từ Thiện Tình Thương, và nhiều hội đoàn bạn như Hội OCA, CAPAVA, Chinese American Citizen Alliance, và một số cơ quan truyền thông địa phương như tờ Annandale Blog, Annandale Patch, Asian Fortune, Hoa Thịnh Đốn Việt Báo, Radio VNDC, Radio Vietnam Hai Ngoại, Ngoài ra, người ta cũng nhận thấy sự tham gia của nhiều thân hào nhân sĩ, như Tiến Sĩ Đào thị Hợi, Giáo Sư Đặng Đình Khiết, Giáo Sư Đỗ Diễn Nhi, Trung Tá Tôn Thất Tuấn và bạn hữu, ông Andy Deng, anh Thiền Nguyễn, Hưng Đào, Hoan Dang, Rose Chu, Ted Gong, John Yu, bà Kelly thuộc SkillSource, và nhiều đồng hương.

Đặc biệt Ông Nguyễn Văn Đặng đã đến từ sớm để mang theo Cờ Hoa Kỳ và Cờ Vàng Truyền thống của người Việt, cùng với Trưởng Hùng của Liên Đoàn Hồng Bàng và các Hướng Đạo Sinh đã đến giúp kê dọn bàn ghế, các Bà Mẹ Việt Nam trong quốc phục đã góp phần tiếp tân.

Các Hướng Đạo Sinh thuộc Liên Đoàn Hồng Bàng đã chính thức giúp khai mạc buổi lễ bằng nghi thức đọc Lời Hứa Công Dân. Sau đó, đại diện Tiếng Nói Người Mỹ Gốc Việt đã ngỏ lời cảm ơn tất cả quan khách hiện diện và mời Chủ Tịch Hội Đồng Quản Trị Quận Fairfax, Bà Sharon Bulova, cùng các ứng viên thay nhau nói chuyện với đồng bào.

Ứng viên chức Chủ Tịch Hội Đồng Quản Trị Quận Fairfax:

Tranh cử cho chức Chủ Tịch Hội Đồng Quản Trị Quận Fairfax là bà Sharon Bulova, đương kim chủ tịch, thuộc đảng Dân Chủ, vừa được Washington Post bầu là một trong 100 người đàn bà giỏi và thế lực nhất, với nhiều thành tích đáng kể, đặc biệt là khả năng cân bằng ngân sách, giúp Fairfax nổi tiếng là quận được điều hành giỏi nhất trên toàn quốc trong lúc kinh tế đang suy thoái, với tỷ số thất nghiệp rất thấp trong khoảng 5% so với tỷ lệ quốc gia là 9%. Tranh cử ghế Chủ Tịch với bà Bulova là ông Spike Williams (R), một doanh nhân chuyên ngành địa ốc. Ông Williams đến phút cuối đã bị bệnh thình lình và gửi lời cáo lỗi không thể tham dự.

Trong buổi nói chuyện với Cộng Đồng người Mỹ gốc Việt, bà Sharon Bulova đã cho biết bà rất quý trọng người Mỹ gốc Việt, và luôn dành nhiều quan tâm đặc biệt cho cộng đồng này. Quận Fairfax có cơ quan đặc biệt nhằm giúp tìm công việc cho đồng hương, giúp doanh nhân mở doanh nghiệp, và ngân quỹ tài trợ xã hội được ký hợp đồng với BPSOS trong việc tài trợ tiền bạc cho sinh hoạt xã hội giúp người Mỹ gốc Việt. Bà Bulova cũng khuyến khích chúng ta nên tham dự vào các Uỷ Ban, Hội Đồng với các chức vụ đặc biệt nhằm trợ giúp giới lãnh đạo điều hành hữu hiệu hơn.

Ứng viên chức Giám Sát Viên Địa Hạt Mason:

Giám Sát Viên Địa Hạt Mason là Bà Penny Gross (Dân Chủ, đương nhiệm), đã được tái tín nhiệm suốt 4 nhiệm kỳ, và rất được dân Việt yêu mến. Bà Penny Gross đối với cộng đồng Mỹ gốc Việt có tình thương mến như trong gia đình, và đã hỗ trợ rất nhiều các sinh hoạt cộng đồng của người Việt. Ngoài rất nhiều các chức vụ bà từng đảm đương, Bà Penny Gross cũng còn là một Nữ Hướng Đạo với tinh thần phục vụ cộng đồng cao độ.

Tranh cử chức Giám Sát Viên Địa Hạt Mason với Bà Penny Gross là ông David Feld, ứng viên đảng Cộng Hoà. Ông Feld đưa ra viễn kiến sẽ cải tiến địa hạt Mason, biến thành một trung tâm sinh hoạt có tầm cỡ thế giới với nhiều sắc tộc sống chung và chia sẻ các nét đẹp của các nền văn hóa riêng.

Ứng viên vào Thượng Viện Tiểu Bang:

Bà Gherardar Culipher (R), ứng viên ghế Thượng Nghị Sĩ địa hạt 34, lên tiếng cho biết chủ trương của bà là cắt thời giờ phí trong giao thông và cắt thuế. Thượng Nghị Sĩ đia hạt 34 đương nhiệm là ông Chap Petersen đã không tham dự.

Thượng Nghị Sĩ Dave Marsden thuộc đảng Dân Chủ, tái tranh cử cho địa hạt 37, gồm Springfield, Burke, Chantilly, Centreville, Mason, Annandale, đã chia sẻ rất nhiều với cộng đồng Việt Nam trong dịp này. Đặc biệt ông còn chú trọng đến vấn đề tranh chấp chủ quyền trên biển Đông, tại hai quần đảo Trường Sa và Hoàng Sa, cho thấy ông có quan tâm đặc biệt đến dân Việt. Cùng tranh cử trong địa hạt này là ứng viên Jason Flannary, thuộc đảng Cộng Hoà. Ông Flannary đã không trả lời thư mời tham dự ngày "Candidates Forum" do người Mỹ gốc Việt gửi mời.

Tranh cử cho ghế Thượng Nghị Sĩ địa hạt 35, đại diện cho Đảng Cộng Hoà, là ứng viên trẻ Robert Sarvis, đã đến với vợ và con trai còn rất nhỏ của ông. Ông Sarvis tốt nghiệp Thomas Jefferson, sau đó lấy bằng Luật Sư, và còn là một doanh nhân. Với nhiệt tâm và năng lực của tuổi trẻ, ông Sarvis đưa ra nhiều quan niệm mới, đặc biệt muốn dung hòa nhiều khác biệt, xoá lằn ranh đảng phái, và đẩy mạnh hướng đi chung của người đân. Sarvis có mẹ người Hoa, vợ người Mỹ gốc Phi Châu, riêng ông thì hoàn toàn có nét một người Mỹ da trắng, thông minh và phóng khoáng. Sarvis có để tâm nghiên cứu cộng đồng Việt Nam và biết khá rõ các chi tiết về chuyện xảy ra tại Eden Center ngày 11 tháng 8. Đối thủ của Sarvis, Thượng Nghị Sĩ đương nhiệm Richard Saslaw thuộc đảng Dân Chủ đã không đáp lại lời mời của Voice of Vietnamese Americans.

Ứng Viên vào Hạ Viện Tiểu Bang:

Dân biểu Vivian Watts, (D - district 39, là người hết lòng tranh đấu cho dân nghèo và thương gia tại Annandale, đã cố gắng đến để tiếp xúc với đồng bào Việt Nam dù thời khóa biểu của Bà không cho phép và Bà đã phải rời đi sớm. Voice of Vietnamese Americans chân thành cảm tạ Dân Biểu Vivian Watts.
Dân Biểu Mark Keam (D - 35) tuy ở ngoài địa hạt Mason , cũng đã tham dự và chia sẻ rất nhiều với cộng đồng chúng ta. Dân Biểu Keam là người Mỹ gốc Á Châu đầu tiên phụng sự tại Hạ Viện Virginia. Ông từng có một thời gian sống tại Việt Nam.

Tranh cử cho ghế Dân Biểu Tiểu Bang địa hạt 38 (Falls Church) là Cựu Đại Tá Jim Leslie, người từng chiến đấu tại Việt Nam trong binh chủng Thuỷ Quân Lục Chiến. Ông đã bị thương tai Khe Sanh năm 1967, và là bạn với TS Tạ Cự Hải khi biết TS Tạ Cự Hải cũng bị thương cùng lúc trong trận chiến này. Cựu Đại Tá Leslie rất có lòng với cộng đồng người Việt và hứa sẽ hết lòng giúp đỡ chúng ta. Ông đã ngỏ lời xin cộng đồng Mỹ gốc Việt dồn phiếu cho ông có cơ hội hỗ trợ lá cờ vàng của người Việt tại Quốc Hội Tiểu Bang.

Ứng Viên vào Hội Đồng Giáo Dục:

Bà Sandy Evans, thành viên Hội Đồng Giáo Dục Địa Hạt Mason và là ứng viên duy nhất thuộc địa hạt này, đã tỏ ra hết lòng với cộng đồng Mỹ Gốc Việt. Bà cho biết, tuy bà không có đối thủ, nhưng bà vẫn tham dự buổi tiếp xúc với cộng đồng để trình bày các quan tâm của bà với cộng đồng. Bà Evans chủ trương giúp người Việt có lớp học tiếng Việt tại địa hạt Mason, và đã lắng nghe sự trình bày của Cô Nguyễn Phan Trinh, Giám Đốc Hội Giáo Dục Trẻ Em Việt Nam. Bà Sandy Evans hứa sẽ tiếp tay chúng ta trong nỗ lực này.

Tiếp theo bà Evans, các Ứng Viên vào Hội Đồng Giáo Dục Trung Ương (At Large) gồm bà Sheree Brown-Kaplan, bà Lin-dai Kendall, bà Lolita Mancheno-Smoak, ông Ryan McElveen, ông Ilryong Moon, ông Steve Stuban, và ông Ted Velkoff, lần lượt lên tiếng trình bày quan điểm của mình.

Tất cả đều cổ động việc giữ lại chương trình giáo dục đặc biệt đáp ứng nhu cầu song ngữ của cộng đồng Mỹ gốc Việt và người di dân tại Quận Fairfax

Người Mỹ Gốc Việt đặt câu hỏi với Ứng Viên:

Trong dịp này, Tiếng Nói Người Mỹ gốc Việt đã đưa ra câu hỏi nhằm vào 3 điểm chính:
1. Ngân sách cho cộng đồng Mỹ gốc Việt,
2. Việc làm cho cộng đồng Mỹ gốc Việt,
3. Các chương trình xã hội dành cho người Mỹ gốc Việt trong đó có giáo dục, y tế, và an sinh.

Chairman Bulova của quận Fairfax cho biết bà rất chú ý đến việc này, và quận Fairfax đã có nhiều chương trình giúp tìm việc, giúp doanh nghiệp nhỏ, cũng như tài trợ tiền cho BPSOS trong một số dịch vụ cho dân Việt tại quận Fairfax.

Supervisor Penny Gross cũng trình bày rất nhiều việc bà đã làm để trợ giúp cộng đồng Việt Nam.

Ngoài ra, cô Vel Hernandez của Tiếng Nói Người Mỹ Gốc Việt cũng đặt câu hỏi về vai trò của nhân viên công lực đối với người dân trong quận. Cô Ngọc Giao tiếp lời nêu lên thí dụ điển hình về cách đối xử thiếu tôn trọng người Việt của cảnh sát tại Falls Church, nhất là trong trường hợp tại Eden Center vừa qua. Chairman Bulova, Supervisor Penny Gross, ứng viên Robert Sarvis, cùng tất cả các ứng viên tham dự đều tỏ ra đồng ý và quan tâm đến việc này.

Giáo Sư Nguyễn Ngọc Bích, đại diện Nghị Hội Người Việt Toàn Quốc tại Hoa Kỳ, nêu vấn đề lịch sử tỵ nạn của cộng đồng Việt, cùng nghị quyết 36 do Cộng Sản ban hành, và yêu cầu các ứng viên quan tâm đến việc tôn trọng lá cờ vàng truyền thống. Thượng Nghị Sĩ Dave Marsden đồng ý điều này, và còn nhấn mạnh đến vấn đề tranh chấp biển Đông là quan tâm hàng đầu của người Việt.

Bác Sĩ Vincent Nguyễn, đại diện Cộng Đồng Việt Nam vùng Virginia, Maryland, và Hoa Thinh Đốn, lên tiếng cho biết tuy có một số người Việt thành đạt đa số dân Việt trong vùng Falls Church đều còn cần sự giúp đỡ về y tế và các phúc lợi công cộng.

Tiếp lời, Cô Nguyễn Phan Trinh, Giám Đốc trường Việt Ngữ và Hội Giáo Dục Trẻ Em Việt Nam, trình bày về hoạt động của trường tiếng Việt và nhu cầu cần có một nơi để giảng dạy mỗi mùa hè. Yêu cầu này ngay lập tức được sự hưởng ứng của Bà Sandy Evans, ông Ilryong Moon, bà Penny Gross, bà Sharon Bulova, TNS Marsden, ứng viên dân biểu Jim Leslie, và hầu như toàn thể các ứng viên khác.

Cuộc bầu cử ngày 8 tháng 11 tại Virginia năm 2011 được xem là một trong những cuộc bầu cử quan trọng đáng chú ý bậc nhất trong lịch sử tiểu bang Virginia, và trong bối cảnh chính trị Hoa Kỳ cùng thế giới. Cuộc bầu cử này được xem là sẽ tiên đoán cho kết quả kỳ bầu cử Tổng Thống Hoa Kỳ năm 2012.

Đây là cuộc bầu cử đầu tiên sau khi Virgina trải qua cuộc Thống Kê Dân Số (Census) 2010, và qua cuộc Tái Phân Phối Địa Hạt Bầu Cử (Redistricting) 2011. Virgina bầu lại tất cả các ghế dân cử, từ Thượng Viện Tiểu bang, Hạ Viện Tiêu bang, đến Chủ Tịch Hội Đồng Quản Trị Quận, Giám Sát Viên Khu Vực, Hội Đồng Giáo Dục Trung Ương, Hội Đồng Giáo Dục Địa Phương, ngay cả Trưởng Ty Cảnh Sát Quận. Do sự tái phân phối địa hạt bầu cử, các ứng viên phải tranh cử với 40% - 50% cử tri hoàn toàn mới với họ, và nhu cầu tiếp xúc với cử tri trở nên vô cùng quan trọng.

Kết quả cuộc Thống Kê Dân Số 2010 cho thấy dân số Quận Fairfax tăng 13%, trong đó người Mỹ gốc Á Châu tăng trên 17%. Đặc biệt tại địa hạt Mason, nơi có đông người Việt cư ngụ, tỷ số người Mỹ gốc Á Châu tăng 22%. Các ứng viên tranh cử năm nay đặc biệt chú trọng đến cử tri Mỹ gốc Á Chậu, nhất là người Mỹ gốc Hoa, gốc Hàn, gốc Ấn, và gốc Châu Mỹ La Tinh. Những sắc dân này là di dân, và nhiều phần được chính quốc gia gốc của họ giúp đỡ nhiều mặt trong đời sống và trong sự vận động cho có tiếng nói mạnh mẽ hơn. Người Mỹ gốc Hàn, gốc Ấn, ngay cả gốc Hoa và gốc Thái Lan, cũng được chính quyền quốc gia đương nhiệm của họ trợ giúp tài chánh, phương tiện trong các cuộc vận động.

Riêng người Mỹ gốc Việt chúng ta, vì hoàn cảnh lịch sử éo le và khác biệt của người tỵ nạn Cộng Sản, đã phải cố gắng tự tạo cho mình một thế đứng trong xã hội Hoa Kỳ, trong lúc nhiều tài lực của cộng đồng vẫn dồn vào việc cứu giúp thân nhân tại Việt Nam, và nhất là đồn vào việc tranh đấu cho tự do, dân chủ tại quê nhà, nên thiếu chú tâm đến tiến trình sinh hoạt dân sự trong giòng chính. Tiếng Nói Người Mỹ gốc Việt (Voice of Vietnamese Americans) ra đời nhằm đáp ứng nhu cầu khẩn thiết này. Buổi "Nói Chuyện với Ứng Cử Viên" tổ chức tại Mason District ngày 28/ 08/ 2011 hy vọng là một bắt đầu cho những sinh hoạt đa đảng tương tự của cộng đồng chúng ta trong nỗ lực góp mặt với giòng chính. Xin quý vị nhớ đi bỏ phiếu ngày 8 tháng 11.

Trước đó, ngày 6 tháng 8, Voice of Vietnamese Americans đã tổ chức ngày Advocacy Day tại Trung Tâm Hành Chánh Quận Fairfax.

Ngày Thứ Bảy 3 tháng 12, 2011, Tiếng Nói Người Mỹ Gốc Việt xin kính mời quý đồng hương tham dự Ngày Tri Ân (Appreciation Day) tại Trung Tâm Hành Chánh Quận Fairfax, để nói lên sự biết ơn của cộng đồng Mỹ gốc Việt với các vị dân cử đã tiếp tay hỗ trợ chúng ta, đồng thời đệ đạt lên những yêu cầu của Cộng Đồng cho niên khóa 2012 - 2013 tới các ứng viên đắc cử. Buổi sinh hoạt hoàn toàn miễn phí, sẽ có tiếp tân và nhiều tiết mục hào hứng, xin kính mời quý đồng hương tham dự.

Tiếng Nói Người Mỹ Gốc Việt xin được chân thành cảm tạ sự hỗ trợ của tất cả quý vị Lãnh Đạo Cộng Đồng, Lãnh Đạo Hội Đoàn, quý Thân Hào Nhân Sĩ, quý tổ chức Truyền Thông Báo Chí, và quý đồng hương,

Xin quý vị nhớ đi bỏ phiếu ngày 8 tháng 11.

Trân trọng,

Tiếng Nói Người Mỹ Gốc Việt
Voice of Vietnamese Americans

Volunteers needed - Sign up today

2011-11-03T06:35:00.000-07:00

Voice of Vietnamese Americans is seeking energetic individuals to volunteer in our Virginia community organizing campaign.

(updated) We have knocked on over 1,000 doors and reached over 2,000 Virginia residents.

Join our team: 4 Days until Virginia State Elections! Please call (703) 362-7873.

We will be providing voter education information to historically disenfranchised groups, such as Vietnamese Americans and other minority groups, in Northern Virginia. Tasks consist of canvassing (knocking on doors) and phone calling in the NoVA area.

This is a temporary position through Election Day in November, and it offers a solid experience in promoting civic engagement and democracy in action. Volunteer shifts are available starting immediately. Please contact Vel Hernandez at veleh1025@gmail.com.

Volunteers choose at least one, or all, of the following shifts:

Friday, Nov 4: 2:30pm-7:30pm
Saturday, Nov 5: 10:30am-3:30pm
Sunday, Nov 6: 1:00pm-6:00pm
Monday, Nov 7: 11:00am-4:00pm
Tuesday, Nov 8: 10:30am-3:30pm

Volunteers must have reliable transportation, via Metro rail or have a car. The shift (five hours) must be completed in entirety. No experience is necessary. We will train you.

Join our campaign team today!

Please email Vel Hernandez for more information at veleh1025 at gmail.com or call (703) 362-7873.

Voice of Vietnamese Americans ' Candidates' Forum Focused on Diversity

2011-10-31T23:02:00.000-07:00

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Voice of Vietnamese Americans sincerely thanks all candidates and community leaders who participated in the Vietnamese American Candidates' Forum on Friday October 28, 2011, at Mason District Governmental Center. We had a great time with lots of productive exchanges. Best wishes to all candidates.

We thank Ellie Ashford, from the Annandale Blog, for the very informative report below:

http://annandaleva.blogspot.com/2011/10/candidates-address-diversity-issue-at.html

Courtesy of Ellie Ashford - The Annandale Blog

A candidates forum Oct. 28, sponsored by Voice of Vietnamese Americans, focused on diversity, cultural sensitivity, and outreach to immigrant communities.

Most of the 14 candidates at the forum, at the Mason District Government Center, related some experience from their lives aimed illustrating their solidarity with the immigrant experience.

Robert Sarvis, the Republican running against Richard Saslaw in the 35th District, for example, spoke about how his mother had fled communist China.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors chair Sharon Bulova Sharon Bulova , who’s running for re-election, told the audience about a book she worked on, the Asian American History Project, which involved the collection of pictures and oral histories from local families. Her opponent, Spike Williams, had been scheduled to appear at the forum, but canceled at the last minute.

Among the at-large school board candidates, Lin-Dai Kendall Lin-Dai Kendall was born in Honduras, and Lolita Mancheno-Smoak Lolita Mancheno-Smoak is from Ecuador. Steve Stuban talked about his father, a Ukrainian, who was in a labor camp in Germany, and his own experiences at a Ukrainian school in the United States.

Ryan McElveen had been a teacher in China and told the audience he would “amplify your voice on the school board” and focus on educating “the global citizen.” Ilryong Moon talked about how he immigrated to the United States from Korea at age 17 without knowing English and went on to become a Harvard-educated lawyer and the county’s first Asian-American elected official. He said his first accomplishment on the school board was to restore funding for diversity training for employees.

“There aren’t that many people that look like me in Richmond,” said Del. Mark Keam , a Korean-American who represents the 35th District. “We can’t really say we have a true democracy unless we all have representation in government.”

From the left: Bulova, Feld, Kendall, Sheree Brown Kaplan, Mancheno-Smoak, and McElveen (Courtesy of Ellie Ashford - the Annandale Blog)

When asked how the county can improve civic engagement among people from diverse cultures, Bulova urged people to consider joining the county’s various advisory boards and commissions, which do not reflect the county’s population. “I consider diversity one of our greatest assets,” she said.

Mason Supervisor Penny Gross d about her support for small businesses and homeownership and cited her work in getting home purchase documents translated into other languages. Her opponent,David Feld , proposed an art and cultural center and vowed to make sure Mason District gets its fair share of investment dollars. Mason District “will be a model for the world,” he said.

Sen. David Marsden talked about his efforts to increase state funding for education and said one of his first legislative priorities will be to have the Sea of Japan co-designated as the East Sea in textbooks and maps, in response to requests from the Korean community.

Sarvis said his priorities include giving local school districts the right to set their own academic calendars, giving parents more rights in school discipline cases, and bringing more state funding to Northern Virginia.

Independent Jim Leslie , running in the 38th District against Del. Kaye Kory, told the audience he was born on a Seneca reservation and fought as a Marine in the Vietnam War. “I have the highest respect for the Vietnamese people,” he said. He also acknowledged that “my chances of winning are very slim” and called himself “the world’s worst politician.”

All seven of the at-large school board candidates, plus Mason District school board member Sandy Evans , expressed support for retaining the need-based funding formula, which provides extra resources to schools with higher proportions of disadvantaged students and English language learners. That results in smaller classes in many Mason District schools.

A couple of the candidates—Stuban and Mancheno-Smoak—also said it’s important to make sure classes aren’t too big and that no one should be in a class with more than 35 students.

Several members of the Vietnamese community talked about their concerns, including a desire to have the Vietnamese heritage flag, rather than the national flag representing the communist government, displayed in schools. Evans told the group the school board has agreed to use the heritage flag in schools and also said she is working on getting FCPS to offer Vietnamese language courses.

Other issues raised by the Vietnamese community include the need for job training and health services and the need to find a permanent home for the Vietnamese School, which now meets in local high schools.

They also want to be treated with respect. Genie Nguyen of Voice of Vietnamese Americans recounted a horrible experience she had at the Falls Church courthouse when she came to observe the trial of people who had been arrested in a police raid at the Eden Center in August in a crackdown on gangs and gambling. When Nguyen tried to find out the names of the defendants, she told the audience, she was searched, harassed, and threatened with being arrested.

Gross said ”that wouldn’t happen here,” and Feld called for more diversity and cultural training.

Source: The Annandale Blog - Ellie Ashford.

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Candidate Forum October 28 in Annandale

2011-10-22T06:51:00.001-07:00

Meet the Candidates and Ask Your Questions

(click to view flyer)

Location: Mason District Governmental Center
6507 Columbia Pike
Annandale, VA 22003
Date: Friday, October 28, 2011
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

The forum-style event will offer area residents in and around Mason District the opportunity to meet candidates running for public office and ask questions. Mason District includes Annandale, Sleepy Hollow and Bailey's Crossroads.

Candidates running for Mason District Supervisor, Penny Gross (D-Incumbent) and David Feld (R), have confirmed their participation. Other invited candidates running for public office include Virginia State Senate, House of Delegates, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, School Board and Sheriff.

VVA at Mason District Council’s Candidate’s Debate

2011-10-20T05:46:00.000-07:00

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For Immediate Release
October 20, 2011
Vel Hernandez, (703)362-7873

VVA at Mason District Council’s Candidate’s Debate

ANNANDALE, Va. --- Voice of Vietnamese Americans attended the candidate forum in Mason District, Va. on Monday, October 17 hosted by the Mason District Council with League of Women’s Voters in Annandale. Mason District Supervisor candidates David Feld (R) and Penny Gross (D-incumbent), among other candidates, were present and debated issues.

“Though lacking a high turnout from the Asian, Latino and other communities, the forum was informative. Provoking questions were answered with earnest responses from the candidates,” Genie Nguyen, VVA President, said.

Vietnamese Americans attended the forum included Ms. Nguyen, LTC Tuan Ton, Mrs. Thu Hang Ton and Mr. Nguyen Cao Nguyen. There were not any Latino American voters, nor other Asian American voters. As a result, though the discussion did cover many different aspects of the community, it did not include the voice from communities of color, Ms. Nguyen said.

Mason District, which is home to just under 116,000 residents according to the 2010 census, prides itself as a very diverse area with 22% who are Asian Americans. The district is also home to a dense population of Latino Americans. The diverse makeup of this bustling suburban district reflects the group of candidates, such as Ilryong Moon (Independent, Korean American) and Lolita L. Mancheno-Smoak (Independent, Latino American), who are candidates for At-Large School Board and who were also present at the event.

Voice of Vietnamese Americans thanks the Mason District Council and the League of Women Voters for organizing the forum. VVA would like to invite the event hosts and all members of the area’s ethnic communities in Mason District to come out and participate in VVA’s Candidate Forum of Virginia State Senate, House, County Board, Sheriff and other candidates, next week on October 28.

Date: Friday, October 28, 2011, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Venue: Mason District Government Center
6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003
Government Center Phone: 703-256-7717, TTY 711

“Mason District is the home for thousands of Americans who represent different cultures and races, which illuminate the essence of our United States Constitution. We strive everyday to contribute positively to this community,” Ms. Nguyen said.

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We are Hiring!

2011-10-19T06:10:00.000-07:00

We are seeking Paid Interns - Effective Immediately

Voice of Vietnamese Americans (VVA) is seeking energetic individuals interested in joining our community organizing campaign, which will launch Tuesday, Oct 25. We will be contacting and providing voter education information to historically disenfranchised groups, such as Vietnamese Americans, in Northern Virginia.

Hourly compensation ($11/hour) is provided. Tasks consist of canvassing and phonebanking in the NoVA area, primarily starting late afternoon until 9pm. This is a temporary position through Election Day in November.

Qualifications: Those with past campaign experience or community organizing experience, especially with the Asian American community, are encouraged to apply -- but no experience is necessary. We will train you. Canvassers are team players, responsible, diligent and outgoing!

The campaign is headquartered in Fairfax, Va.

Please send your resume, which includes contact information and best time to reach you, to Vel Hernandez at veleh1025@gmail.com.

James Bacchus: World Economic Forum Dalian Debate -"The Backlash to Going Global"

2011-10-18T23:40:00.001-07:00

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Globalization is here. We need real global leadership. "No pain, no gain".

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VVA attended Mason District Candidate Forum and Debate on October 17

2011-10-18T22:56:00.000-07:00

http://annandale.patch.com/articles/live-blog-mason-district-council-forum-and-debate

Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross debating issues with Candidate David Feld on October 17 at the Mason District Council Candidate Forum.

Candidates for School Board At Large (3 seats): Lolita I. Muncheno-Smoak, Ilryong Moon, Theodore J. "Ted" Velkoff, Ryan L. McElveen, Steven F. Stuban.

Voice of Vietnamese Americans attended the candidate forum in Mason District on October 17, at the Annandale United Methodist Church.

The forum was very informative, with provoking questions and earnest responses from the candidates. Mason District prides itself as a very diverse area with 22% voters are Asian Americans, and a dense population of Latino Americans, reflecting in Dr. Moon(Independent, Korean American) and Ms. Lolita L. Muncheno-Smoak,(Independent, Latino American) both are candidates for the School Board at large.

Vietnamese Americans attended the forum included LTC Tuan Ton, Mrs. Thu Hang Ton, Ms. Genie Nguyen, Mr. Nguyen Cao Nguyen. There were not any Latino American voters, nor other Asian American voters. As a result,the discussion did cover many different aspects of the community, but did not have the voice from ethnic minorities. Voice of Vietnamese Americans thanks the Mason District Council and the League of Women Voters in organizing the forum.

Voice of Vietnamese Americans would like to invite more ethnic minorities in Mason District to come out and participate in the coming Candidate Forum

Date: Friday, October 28, 2011 - 06:30pm - 08:30pm
Venue: Mason District Governmental Center
6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003
Phone: 703-256-7717, TTY 711

Mason District is the home for many different culture and races, which illuminates the essence of our United States Constitution. We are striving to contribute positively to this community. Ethnic Americans would assert ourselves as "the US People", to advocate for the American core values which many refugees and immigrants have risked our lives to attain.

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AAPI Youth Town Hall: White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

2011-10-17T00:10:00.000-07:00

Video streaming by Ustream

Cathy Nguyen - a Vietnamese American, is among the panelists. Voice of Vietnamese Americans thanks Cathy for representing Vietnamese American Youth.

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VVA Praises 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates

2011-10-11T07:42:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

VVA Praises 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates:
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman

“The decision to award the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize to three women…recognizes that democracy and lasting peace cannot be achieved without giving women the full opportunity to participate.” -- Human Rights Watch

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 11, 2011) – Voice of Vietnamese Americans takes this honorable opportunity to congratulate the 2011 Laureates of the Nobel Peace Prize: President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberian human rights activist Leymah Gbowee and Yemeni rights activist Tawakkul Karman.

“It is very inspiring to learn that not one but three remarkable individuals this year were awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace, the most prestigious award given to those who promote peace,” Genie Nguyen, VVA President, said. “The world is, and will continue to be, a better and safer place because of the sacrifice these brave women have made in the name of peace and democracy.”

Typically given to one Laureate, and less commonly to two Laureates, the award this year was given to, for the first time ever, three women for their “non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.”

Last year, the Nobel Peace award was given to Dr. Liu Xiaobo, the Chinese writer and dissident detained in December 2008 who was awarded the prize while prison. VVA stands with Human Rights Watch in urging that the Chinese government release the 2010 Nobel Peace laureate Dr. Xiaobo.

“Voice of Vietnamese Americans sincerely thanks the Norwegian Nobel Committee for recognizing – in addition to the leadership by Dr. Xiaobo in establishing globally sustainable peace – the historic, world-changing impacts made by this year’s three women laureates,” Ms. Nguyen said.

Human Rights Watch said that this year’s triumph shows that women do play a role in democracy and peace.

Vietnamese American Among Presidential Appointed Leaders

2011-10-11T07:27:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Vietnamese American Among Presidential Appointed Leaders in
Education, Health and Cultural Awareness

VVA Congratulates Presidential Appointments to Key Posts

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 11, 2011) – Voice of Vietnamese Americans extends a warm congratulations to the individuals recently appointed by President Obama to serve in key posts in the administration, including the appointment of Dr. Tung Thanh Nguyen to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Dr. Nguyen, Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, has worked on studies to increase breast, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer screening among Asian Americans as well as on tobacco use among Asian Americans.

“Voice of Vietnamese Americans congratulates Dr. Nguyen for his expertise in medicine and his leading efforts in promoting health and prevention throughout the AAPI community,” Genie Nguyen, VVA President, said. “The AAPI Commission is a formidable initiative by the president that promotes cultural awareness and helps improve the quality of life for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and as the Commission grows with each addition of exceptional leaders across all fields of work, it is making impactful change throughout America."

Other recently appointed members to the Commission include Apolo Anton Ohno. For more information on the Commission and the full list of appointed members, please click here.

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

2011-10-10T09:23:00.000-07:00

Voice of Vietnamese Americans congratulates Dr. Tung Thanh Nguyen, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

_________________________

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE APPROVAL

October 7, 2011

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

· Elizabeth Malory Cousens - Representative of the United States on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador

· Paul W. Hodes – Member, National Council on the Arts

The President also announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:

· May Y. Chen - Member, President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

· Tung Thanh Nguyen - Member, President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

· Apolo Anton Ohno - Member, President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

· Marta Araoz de la Torre - Member, Cultural Property Advisory Committee

· Jane A. Levine - Member, Cultural Property Advisory Committee

· Janet R. Kahn - Member, Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health

President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

Elizabeth Malory Cousens, Nominee for Representative of the United States to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador

Elizabeth Malory Cousens is Principal Policy Advisor and Counselor to the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations. In 2009, she was Director of Strategy for the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue. From 2007 to 2008, she served as Chief of Staff to the United Nations Mission in Nepal. From 2005 to 2007, she was Vice President of the International Peace Institute, where she earlier held the position of Director of Research from 1998 to 2000 and was an associate from 1995 to 1998. Ms. Cousens was Director of the Conflict Prevention and Peace Forum at the Social Science Research Council from 2002 to 2005. She holds a B.A from the University of Puget Sound and was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters in 2007. Ms. Cousens received her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Oxford, where she was a Rhodes Scholar.

Paul W. Hodes, Nominee for Member, National Council on the Arts

Paul W. Hodes represented New Hampshire’s 2nd congressional district from 2007 until 2011. Throughout his life, Mr. Hodes has been both a performer and active member of the arts and entertainment communities. He served on the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, as chairman of the Board of the Capitol Center for the Arts and Tricinum, Ltd. and as a board member of the Concord Community Music School. While practicing trial and entertainment law, he and his wife Peggo won two Parent's Choice awards with their band "Peggosus." Mr. Hodes has also worked professionally as an actor, producer, director, and playwright. He graduated from Dartmouth College and Boston College Law School with additional training at the National Theater Institute and the Herbert Berghoff and Uta Hagen Studio.

President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:

May Y. Chen, Appointee for Member, President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

May Y. Chen is an adjunct professor at the City University of New York, where she has taught labor studies courses and coordinated labor exchanges with Asia for the Joseph S. Murphy Institute for Worker Education and Labor Studies since 2009. Previously, Ms. Chen was the International Union Vice President for Workers United, Service Employees International Union in 2009. She served as the International Union Vice President of UNITE HERE from 1999 to 2009, and Local 23-25 Manager and New York Metropolitan Area Joint Board Secretary-Treasurer from 2004 to 2009. In her time at UNITE HERE, Ms. Chen held a number of positions, including Assistant/Associate Manager from 1997 to 2004 and Assistant Director and Director of the Education Department from 1989 to 1997. From 1970 to 1979, she was an adjunct professor and teacher at several schools and universities in California, including the University of California at Los Angeles and California State University at Long Beach. Ms. Chen is a Founding Member of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance and continues to serve on its New York Chapter Board. She also serves as Board President of the New York State Immigrant Action Fund. She holds an A.B. in East Asian Studies from Harvard/Radcliffe College and an M.A. in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Dr. Tung Thanh Nguyen, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Dr. Tung Thanh Nguyen is a Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he provides medical care to a diverse patient population and teaches clinicians. He also serves as Director of the Vietnamese Community Health Promotion Project and Principal Investigator of the Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research and Training at UCSF, and in this role conducts research in health care prevention for Asian Americans. He has worked on studies to increase breast, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer screening among Asian Americans as well as on tobacco use among Asian Americans. Dr. Nguyen was the volunteer Chair of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Team of the American Cancer Society in California. In 2002, he was awarded the American Cancer Society Control Career Development Award for his outstanding work in primary care and research. Dr. Nguyen holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Harvard University and an M.D. from the Stanford School of Medicine.

Apolo Anton Ohno, Appointee for Member, President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Apolo Anton Ohno is an American short-track speed skating competitor, an eight-time medalist in the Winter Olympics, a 12-time National Champion, and America’s most decorated winter Olympian. He was named the U.S. Speedskating's Athlete of the Year for 2003 and was a 2002, 2003, and 2006 finalist for the Sullivan Award, which recognizes the best amateur athlete in the U.S. In addition, Mr. Ohno has been very involved in philanthropic activities, including participating in the Global AIDS Program (GAP) campaign to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa, The Salvation Army, the Ronald McDonald House, and Nikkei Concerns, an organization that provides assistance to Japanese elders. In 2002, Mr. Ohno helped Senator Ted Kennedy launch the "Math Moves U Hippest Homework Happening" program, which gave students the opportunity to do math homework online with celebrities and athletes. Mr. Ohno is also a global ambassador for the Special Olympics.

Marta Araoz de la Torre, Appointee for Member, Cultural Property Advisory Committee

Marta Araoz de la Torre is the former director of the Museum Studies Graduate Certificate Program at Florida International University in Miami. In 2002, she retired from the Getty Conservation Institute in Los Angeles where she worked on educational programs. She is a co-author and editor of Heritage Values in Site Management and the editor of Assessing the Values of Cultural Heritage. Ms. de la Torre has served on the Board of Studies of the Wall Paintings Conservation Course of the Courtauld Institute in London, and on the Hamilton Kerr Institute in Cambridge, UK. She was also on the Executive Committee of the International Council of Museums and the Board of the American Association of Museums/International Council of Museums. Ms. de la Torre previously served on the Cultural Property Advisory Committee from 2003 until 2008. She has a M.A. in Arts Management from American University and a B.A. from George Washington University.

Jane A. Levine, Appointee for Member, Cultural Property Advisory Committee

Jane A. Levine is the Worldwide Director of Compliance for Sotheby’s, Inc. As Sotheby's chief global compliance counsel, Ms. Levine is responsible for managing the company's compliance department and program including training and enforcement relating to art and cultural heritage laws, regulation and ethics, the auction process and many other areas related to the international art and auction market. Prior to joining Sotheby’s, Ms. Levine was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, where she served as the Art Fraud Coordinator and was a Special Trial Attorney assigned to work with the FBI’s Art Crime Team. Ms. Levine teaches a seminar on Art, Cultural Heritage and the Law at Columbia Law School. She received a B.A. from Brown University and her J.D. from New York University School of Law.

Dr. Janet R. Kahn, Appointee for Member, Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health

Dr. Janet R. Kahn is currently a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont’s College of Medicine, a position she has held since 2002. Since 2000, Dr. Kahn has been a Faculty Preceptor in the Fellowship Program in Complementary, Alternative, and General Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Kahn helped found the Integrated Health Policy Consortium in 2002, where she was on the Steering Committee until 2005, thereafter serving as Executive Director until 2011. In addition, Dr. Kahn was the Director of Integrated Health Care of the Community Health Center of Burlington from 2008 to 2010, the Director of Research of the Massage Therapy Research Consortium from 2003 to 2008, and a Senior Research Scientist at the Wellesley College Center for Research on Women from 1997 to 2000. Dr. Kahn’s research focuses on equitable and affordable health care delivery models, the importance of massage therapy for the treatment of chronic pain, and supporting the well-being of veterans. Dr. Kahn has served on a number of boards, including the National Advisory Council for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health since 2009. Dr. Kahn holds a B.A. from Antioch College, an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a Ph.D. from Brandeis University.

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The White House · 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW · Washington DC 20500 · 202-456-1111

Saving Early Voting Rights - Citizens' Veto for Ohio House Bill 194

2011-10-06T21:20:00.000-07:00

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Saving Early Voting Rights - Citizens' Veto for Ohio House Bill 194

VVA Urges Vietnam to Immediately Release Falun Gong Practitioners

2011-10-04T14:57:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Genie Nguyen
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 Phone: 703-593-7182

Voice of Vietnamese Americans Statement

VVA Urges Vietnam to Immediately Release Falun Gong Practitioners

Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion
and UN Declaration of Human Rights Must be Honored

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct 4, 2011) -- Voice of Vietnamese Americans stands in solidarity with several social justice groups that condemn the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) for taking orders from the Communist Party of China (CPC) in imprisoning the peaceful Falun Gong Practitioners Vu Duc Trung and Le Van Thanh.

VVA urges the CPV to honor freedom of speech and freedom of religion and immediately release the two Falun Gong Practitioners, as well as all other dissidents, in observance of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. Falun Gong is a peaceful and spiritual discipline that places a heavy emphasis on morality and the cultivation of virtue in its central tenets of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Falun Gong identifies itself as the essential combination of Buddhism and Taoism.

Religious tolerance has been embedded in Vietnam’s culture and tradition. This practice of respect flourished during the Ly’s dynasty in Vietnam and has led to the golden era of Vietnamese Culture.

Voice of Vietnamese Americans condemns the Communist Party of Vietnam for obeying the order of the Communist Party of China, an egregious violation of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. Voice of Vietnamese Americans urges the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to honor Vietnamese culture and rich history of religious tolerance and denounce all inhumane orders from the Communist Party of China, to truly be independent in any decisions made at the state level.

The People of China and the People of Vietnam demand a new era of freedom, democracy, and sustainable economic growth with human rights and equal justice for all.

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The mission of Voice of Vietnamese Americans is to empower Vietnamese Americans by promoting civic engagement through community organizing and capacity building. Voice of Vietnamese Americans enhances, defends, and protects the American core values of human rights, civil rights, democracy, liberty, and justice for all.

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