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National Vietnamese Community Conference, May 2
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National Vietnamese Community Conference, May 2
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Records of the White House Office of Public Liaison (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Clayton Fong Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
2019-1528-F
2019-1528-F
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin: Public Liaison, White House Office of
Series:
Fong, Clayton, Files
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
08127
Folder ID Number:
08127-046
Folder Title:
National Vietnamese Community Conference, May 2
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Section:
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G
24
25
2
REMARKS HIGHLIGHTING
ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the President, I would like
to extend his greetings and best wishes. I am honored to share
with you my insights during this historic month, because, as you
know, this marks the 14th consecutive year we have recognized our
Asian Pacific American Heritage. Through coordinated observances
throughout the nation extended to a month-long celebration by
President Bush, this is a time for all Asian Americans to reflect on
our accomplishments and contributions to this great country.
For the past three years, I have had the distinct privilege of
working for President Bush. As an Asian American, I am especially
proud because I know first hand that President Bush knows much
about and is deeply committed to the Asian American community.
In fact, during the past three years I have come to realize the
depth of knowledge and sensitivity the President possesses
regarding Asians and Pacific Islanders. For nearly fifty years -
beginning with the Second World War when he served in the Pacific
as the Navy's youngest pilot -- President Bush has been involved
and interacting with the peoples and cultures of this region. His
experience as a Congressman, Ambassador to the United Nations,
Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Chief of the U.S.
Liaison Office in China, C.I.A. Director, and Vice President of the
United States has given him more knowledge of this region that any
President or national leader in our history.
For you and me, this knowledge has translated into important
recognition. He has, for example, appointed more Asians to top
Administration positions than any other president. And Asians hold
higher ranking positions than ever before. President Bush has
appointed the first Asian Ambassador and the first Deputy Secretary
of a Cabinet department. And three independent agencies have
Asian women in charge [SBA, Peace Corps, CFTC], with dozens of
other superbly qualified Asian Americans serving the Bush
Administration in other important roles.
We can also recognize that, more importantly, George Bush
stands for the same values and principles that we as a community
do: family, faith, hard work, merit, education, entrepreneurialism,
and community service. We see this exemplified in the man, in his
family and his wonderful wife Barbara, and in his policies and
programs. These pillars have made the Asian American
community prosperous and successful by any measure.
This leads me to my topic for today: the Asian American
community looks to the future. This is important, because while
economically we Asians have been successful, politically we are at
a crossroads. Quiet and hard-working, we have often shunned the
public limelight in the past. Now, however, the Asian community is
coming of age. We are becoming full participants in the decision-
making process, and I believe we are poised to have an even
greater impact on decisions that affect our everyday lives. Our
impact can be seen, again, in the record number of Asian
appointments this President has made.
Beyond appointments, however, lies the realization that in
order to impact the issues we care about - education, honest
government, free trade, free enterprise and so on - we must be
more involved in mainstream politics.
As a community, more of us must register to vote and
participate in the election process. Individually, we must take a
stand for a candidate or an issue. Collectively, the community
must find common ground and stay united.
You are probably thinking that the Asian community is so
diverse, how can we possibly all agree on any one set of issues.
Well, at least let me start the dialogue with five issues I believe we
should all agree upon: Free Trade, Anti-Asian Sentiment, The Asian
Consumer, Education and Quotas. Regarding free trade, we now
live in a world where the distance across oceans is shortened and
the walls between East and West are crumbling.
Market economies are rising from the rubble of communist
command economies. Increasingly we are becoming a global
marketplace where free trade is not only desirable, but vital. Last
year United States exports accounted for 80 percent of our
economic growth.
Asian Americans are uniquely positioned to play an important
role in promoting goodwill and developing better relationships and
understanding with our Asian counterparts across the Pacific.
Additionally, free trade means more competition, lower prices
and greater variety and quality for the consumer. Consequently, we
must say no to the short-sighted temptations of isolationism. We
must also say no to an ugly by product of protectionist rhetoric.
Too often, the protectionist drum beat takes the form of Japan
bashing which unfortunately, adds fuel to the fire of anti-Asian
sentiment in narrow but vocal segments of American society.
Moving from the global issue of free trade, let's address something
closer to home.
The Asian American as a consumer. The 1990 census
indicates the Asian population in the U.S. grew faster than any
other group, and we have the highest median family income and
the highest percentage of college graduates. We are therefore a
very attractive consumer market.
To quote from a Washington Post article ( May 6, 1991)
"Small-Business owners who don't try to reach Asian Americans are
missing out on a chance to deal with the fastest-growing, most
educated and most affluent ethnic group in the United States...".
We must help America's business understand, appreciate and
address the fast growing and affluent Asian-American consumer
market. Another article, this one from the Wall Street Journal
(August 23, 1991) makes this point.
"Asian-Americans constitute the most affluent minority in the
U.S., and they are seen as extremely brand-loyal. But national
marketers have largely ignored this segment, squandering the
opportunity to court Asian-Americans in the way they have targeted
blacks and hispanics."
Education. Instilling the value of education is at the bedrock
of success in the Asian Community. The President and the Asian
American community both recognize the critical importance of
education to successful citizenship. The President's America 2000
initiative emphasizes the ability of parents to choose the education
best suited to their children's needs. It calls for goals and
standards to encourage high achievement, and demands that
schools and teachers be held accountable for the attainment levels
of their students.
I believe that we can all agree that these goals complement
the Asian philosophy that education is paramount to a successful
life.
Through America 2000, President Bush will improve the quality
of education in the United States, and support for this initiative is
something on which I believe the Asian American community can
enthusiastically and wholeheartedly agree.
The last issue I would like to address is one of fundamental
fairness: quotas. This is an issue where we as a community find
ourselves in a dilemma. The struggle for equal opportunity has
been a long and arduous fight.
We have come a long way from the time when Asians in
America were denied fundamental rights, for example, we could not
vote and could not even own land. Consequently it is tempting to
agree with quotas as a way to redress past discrimination.
However, I would differ based on two points. The first, our
culture has instilled in us the fundamental belief that hard work,
education and merit are the basis of future success. Quotas, very
simply, make a mockery of these core beliefs.
Even from a self interested perspective, the Asian community
does not benefit from quotas. We are known as over achievers
who tend to be over-represented and not under-represented.
College admissions are a very good example.
The Civil Rights bill signed by the President last year shows
that we can fight discrimination with unwavering diligence, while
stopping short of imposing quotas which are, in effect, reverse
discrimination.
Allow me to close by quoting a friend and a man for whom I
worked for five years. Governor George Deukmejian of California.
"Thank God we live in a country where we have the freedom to
nurture our special heritage and pass it on to our children."
And at the same time, become full participants in the
American dream. I'm not suggesting our country is perfect.
Vestiges of discrimination remain. Too many children are still
denied a full and equal chance to succeed and excel.
But let's be thankful for America's blessings of freedom,
family, faith and opportunity. And let's draw upon these strengths
to march boldly ahead and scale new peaks of excellence.
With freedom as our gift and equal opportunity as our goal,
let's join together in a spirit of unity and respect. Let's go for the
gold again, and this time let's not leave anyone behind."
Thank you very much.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Clayton: key note speaker
* - normalization bt. Vietnam
sussested topps
8 U.S. gou't
- suggestions on how to assimilate
politically into mainstream
- education, refugees
10AM
T20 30 min. CF talks
10-12 min wl Q&A
300 leaders nationwide
other speakers
before Mary Margaret Whipple
Sen. John McCain (AZ) pending
(
5min.
Co. Arlint state
Naslo Post, Times confirmed
rep)
:
Grey
I have accepted
verbally please
work out the
particulars -
I don't want to
do 3 hours
speech - meet
folks & out
\
make
spell any name right
The National Vietnamese Community Conference
Dai Hôi Công Dông Viêt Nam Tai Hoa Ky - Washington, D.C.
3300 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 212, Arlington, Virginia 22201
Tel. [703] 527-6440
Fax [703] 527-6493
April 16, 1992
Mr. Crayton Fong
Special Deputy Assistant to the President
for Public Liaison
The White House
OEOB, # 128
Washington, D.C. 20526
Dear Mr. Fong:
On May 2, 3, and 4, 1992, the first National Conference of the Vietnamese-American
Community in the U.S. will be held at the Arlington Career Center at 816 South Walter Reed Drive
in Arlington, VA.
This Conference will help to promote educational excellence and the development of small
businesses for our community as well as to encourage Vietnamese-Americans to participate in the
political mainstream of this country, especially in this election year.
Our dear friend Elizabeth Szu in California was kind enough to inform us of your name. We
would like to invite you to attend the Opening and the Luncheon Reception of this Conference
from 10 AM to 1 PM on May 2nd as an Honored Guest. We would be pleased by your presence,
and we look forward to learning from your experiences and consider it a contribution to our
progress and growth within the Asian-American communities.
Please contact me with your response at (703) 527-6440. Thank you very much and we look
forward to seeing you at the Conference.
Sincerely,
JoneDil
Long Dinh
Chairman
National Vietnamese-American Community Conference
The National Vietnamese Community Conference
Dai Hôi Công Dong Viêt Nam Tai Hoa Ky - Washington, D.C.
3300 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 212, Arlington, Virginia 22201
Tel. [703] 527-6440
Fax [703] 527-6493
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Arlington, Virginia, April 7, 1992
The first National Conference of the Vietnamese Community in the U.S. will be held in Arlington,
Virginia on May 2,3,and 4, 1992. This conference will have representatives of 48 Vietnamese-
Americans communities from 28 states and cities, and it is hosted by the Vietnamese Community
of Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia (VCWMV), an umbrella organization of more than 40
associations representing 45,000 Vietnamese in the metropolitan area. Mr. Long Dinh, President
of Amtek Institute, the designated Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Conference, has
been in contact with various community leaders and based largely on their feedbacks, the National
Conference will focus on four critical areas:
To consolidate and unify the political views of the Vietnamese and design a plan
of action on the issues of diplomatic normalization between the United States and
Hanoi Government and the forced repatriation of Vietnamese Refugees.
To encourage Vietnamese-Americans to participate in the political mainstream of
this country, especially in this election year.
To set up a national structure of the Vietnamese-American Community in this
country.
To promote educational excellence, to help small business development, and to
prevent crimes and drug abuse within the community.
The National Conference is part of the major effort to make the U.S. Government more responsive
to the concerns of more than 600,000 Vietnamese living in this country as well as to help us make
a greater contribution to this country. Many U.S. Senators and Congressmen and government
high ranking officials have been invited and are expected to attend. Chairman of the VCWMV, Mr.
Thang Tran, who works as a Senior Tax Auditor for the Arlington Commissioner of Revenue, said,
"With the collapse of communism in the world, the Vietnamese-Americans in this country must
unite to provide the support for the cause of Freedom and Democracy in Vietnam where 70 million
people are still under a most oppressive form of government."
The public is invited to attend the Opening Ceremony which will be held at the Arlington Career
Center, 816 South Walter Reed, Arlington, Virginia 22204 on Saturday May 2, 1992 from 10 AM
to 12:PM. Please call Dr. Ken Evans at (703) 527-6440 from 8 AM to 12 AM (M-F) to make
reservation.
event file
APR-30-'92 11:28 ID:AMTEK SYSTEMS
TEL N0:703-527-6493
#875 P01
TO: MR. Grey Fitch
FAX: 202 456-1647
FROM
THE NATIONAL VIETNAMESE
COMMUNITY CONFERENCE
MR. LONGDINH
DATE:
04-30-92
FAX: 703 527-6440
PAGES TO FOLLOW: 04
Grey: Please let us know A.S.A.P
a
Schedule For our white
House Briefing. Many Thanks.
APR-30-'92 11:28 ID: AMTEK SYSTEMS
TEL NO: 703-527-6493
#875 P02
The National Vietnamese Community Conference
Dai Hôi Cong Dong Viêt Nam Tai Hoa Ky - Washington, D.C.
3300 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 212, Arlington. Virginia 22201
Tel. (703) 527-8440
Fax (703) 527-6493
April 30, 1992
Mr. Clayton Fong
Deputy Assistant to the President
for Public Lialson
OEOB, #128
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. Fong:
We would, first of all, very much like to Invited you to be a Keynote Speaker on May 2 at 10:00
AM at the Arlington Career Center, 816 South Walter Reed Drive, Arlington, VA 22204.
Enclosed is the information on the background of the National Vietnamese Community
Conference to be held on May 2, 3, and 4, 1992, there will representatives of 48 Vietnamese American
communities from 28 states and cities, and it is hosted by the Vietnamese-American Community of
Washington, D.C. Maryland, and Virginia (VACWMV), which is an umbrella organization of more than 40
associations representing 45000 Vietnamese Americans in the metropolitan area.
Of the 200 leaders of regional and local communities who will attend this Conference, 21 have
been selected to attend the White House briefing. A list of these 21 leaders and their telephone
numbers is attached.
Also included with this letter is an Official Invitation and Schedule for the conference.
Please inform us of the Briefing Time for our group.
If you need anymore information, please contact me. You have my best wishes for your and
yours.
Sincerely,
LovaDer
Long Dinh
Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Conference
-called back 4/30, 4:30pm ne. W.H. briefing -will
get DOBA to us by Hon.morn.
- Normalization 1 wait asee
Rose we Policy plase 1,2,3
A/S Solohwn went last no
good meetings
POW/MIA
Why
Conditions. POW/MIA - follest Accting possible
theman Rights / multiparts system
Human Rights are always a comestion of for, Polocy
Promote Denoway throughout the world
Polition Prisoners
Un Election
we continue to oppose foreed repationation
st viet Refuges in HK
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
INVITATION
DAY 1
(Saturday 05/02/92)
8:00AM - 10:00AM
Registration/Moming Coffee
#875 P04
10:00AM - 10:15AM
National Anthems
Presented by the Color Guards,
Virginia Military Institute
10:15AM - 10:30AM
Welcoming Remark & Recognition
Mr. Long Dinh, Chairman
NVCC-USA Organizing Committee
10:35AM - 10:39AM
Greeting Remark
Mr. Thang Tran, Chairman
VNCC-DC/MD/VA
10:39AM - 10:55AM
Conference Orientation by
Mr. Liem Bui, Coordinator
TEL NO:703-527-6493
NVCC Tech. Sub-Committee
10:55AM - 11:00AM
Announcing of the Conference Goals
& Program Procedures by
Mr. Cong Nguyen, Prog. Coordinator
Mr. Think Nguyen, Vice Coordinator
NVCC Program Sub. Committee
Mr. Clayton Fong
11:00AM - 12:00AM
Guest Speakers
Keynote Speaker: Mr. Clayton Fong
NATIONAL
12:00AM - 12:05AM
Presenting Issues at the conference
which will be discussed by
You are cordially invited to the
Mr. Cong Nguyen, Prog. Coordinator
opening ceremony as a Keynote Speaker at
VIETNAMESE
12:05AM - 2:00PM
Luncheon/Reception
the First National
Issue 1: Vietnamese Community
COMMUNITY
2:00PM - 5:30PM
Vietnamese Community Conference
Political Point of Views on U.S policy
toward to the Ha-Nol Government
which will be held on
CONFERENCE
5:30PM - 6:00PM
Day 1- Ending & Briefing next day
Saturday May 2, 1992
schedules
at
U.S.A
APR-30-'92 11:30 ID:AMTEK SYSTEMS
DAY2 (Sunday 05/03/92)
Arlington Career Center
8:00AM - 9:00AM
Morning Coffee
816 S. Walter Reed Rd.
9:00AM - 9:05AM
National Anthems
Presented by the Color Guards,
Arlington, Virginia
103 358 5800
MAY
Virginia Military Institute
2
9:05AM - 9:10AM
Schedules & Program Procedures by
From 10 AM To 2PM
Mr. Cong Nguyen, Prog. Coordinator
Mr. Thinh Nguyen, Vice Coordinator
A tunch buffet will be served
3
NVCC Program Sub. Committee
4
9:10AM - 12:10AM
Group Discussions: Issues 2. 3 & 4
12:10PM - 12:40PM
Lunch Break
1992
12:40PM - 2:40PM
Program Conclusion/
Conference Resolution & Issue Papers
2:40PM - 3:00PM
Day 2- Ending & Briefing Day 3
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Schedule for The White House
DAY3 (Monday 05/04/92) and the Capitol HIII Meetings
APR-30-'92 11:31 :AMTEK SYSTEMS
TEL NO: 703-527-6493
#875 P05
The National Vietnamese Community Conference
Dei Hôi Cong Dong Viet Nam Tai Hos Ky - Washington, D.C.
3300 N. Fairfox Drive, Suite 212. Arlington, Virginia 22201 Tel. [703] 527-e440 Fax [703] 527-6493
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Arlington, Virginia, April 22, 1992
The first National Conference of the Vietnamese Community in the U.S. will be held in Arlington,
Virginia on May 2,3,and 4, 1992. This conference will have representatives of 48 Vietnamese-
Americans communities from 28 states and cities, and it is hosted by the Vietnamese Community
of Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia (VCWMV), an umbrella organization of more than 40
associations representing 45,000 Vietnamese in the metropolitan area. Mr. Long Dinh, President
of Amtek Institute, the designated Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Conference, has
been in contact with various community leaders and based largely on their feedbacks, the National
Conference will focus on four critical areas:
To consolidate and unify the political views of the Vietnamese and design a plan
of action on the issues of diplomatic normalization between the United States and
Hanol Government and the forced repatriation of Vietnamese Refugees.
To encourage Vietnamese-Americans to participate in the political mainstream of
this country, especially in this election year.
To set up a national structure of the Vietnamese-American Community in this
country.
To promote educational excellence, to help small business development, and to
prevent crimes and drug abuse within the community.
The National Conference is part of the major effort to make the U.S. Government more responsive
to the concerns of more than 600,000 Vietnamese living in this country as well as to help us make
a greater contribution to this country. Many U.S. Senators and Congressmen and government
high ranking officials have been Invited and are expected to attend. Chairman of the VCWMV, Mr.
Thang Tran, who works as a Senior Tax Auditor for the Arlington Commissioner of Revenue, said,
"With the collapse of communism in the world, the Vietnamese-Americans in this country must
unite to provide the support for the cause of Freedom and Democracy In Vietnam where 70 million
people are still under a most oppressive form of government."
The public is invited to attend the Opening Ceremony which will be held at the Arlington Career
Center, 816 South Walter Reed, Arlington, Virginia 22204 on Saturday May 2, 1992 from 10 AM
to 12:PM. Please call Dr. Ken Evans at (703) 527-6440 from 8 AM to 12 AM (M-F) to make
reservation.