Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) issued the following statement today on the 47th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon:

   “Today, April 30, marks the 47th anniversary of the fall of Saigon and the end of the free Republic of Vietnam. Tragically, the Communist government that has ruled the entire country since then asserted totalitarian control over society, which led to a great exodus of people fleeing for hope of a better life and for freedom. Today our nation has been enriched by the contributions of so many of those ‘boat people’ who fled Communist tyranny.  Congress needs to pass H.R. 3001, the bipartisan Vietnam Human Rights Act, which would allow the United States to sanction Vietnamese officials and others who are complicit in ongoing, systematic violations of internationally-recognized human rights, including particularly severe violations of religious freedom. The bill sends a strong, bipartisan message that a freer Vietnam is a critical national interest for the United States.”

 Smith is Co-Chairman of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and Ranking Member of the House global human rights subcommittee, as well as Co-Chair of the bipartisan congressional Vietnam caucus.

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