June 18, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 102 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E785-E786]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MICHAEL NGUYEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TED S. YOHO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 18, 2019

  Mr. YOHO. Madam Speaker, I would like to bring attention to the 
unjust detention of an American citizen, Mr. Michael Phuong Minh 
Nguyen, in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
  Mr. Nguyen was arrested on July 7, 2018 while visiting elderly 
relatives in Vietnam. He has since been held at the Phan Dang Luu 
Detention Center in Ho Chi Minh City. While the Vietnamese government 
still has not provided any evidence of wrongdoing that would justify 
his arrest, the Vietnamese government has confirmed they are charging 
Mr. Nguyen for allegedly violating Article 109 of Vietnam's Penal Code, 
engaging in activity against the government.
  I have worked with my colleagues in Congress, the Administration, our 
embassy personnel, as well as with Mr. Nguyen's family, to encourage 
the government of Vietnam to find a fast, transparent, and fair 
resolution to this case. Unfortunately, Mr. Nguyen is still being held 
in Vietnam. It is disheartening that an American citizen be detained 
for such a prolonged time before a trial is held.
  Over the past four decades, our two countries have built a strong 
relationship based on trade, trust and mutual respect. My hope is that 
we can continue this relationship without the detraction of these kind 
of events. I will continue to urge a just resolution for Mr. Nguyen 
until he can return to his family and friends in the United States.

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