I’m excited that two key Vietnamese-language media outlets covered the presentation of the LIRS Walk of Courage Award to our great friend and ally Chris Phan!
The award, which honors former refugees for their courage, determination, and commitment to “giving back” to other, was presented at a dinner attended by over 150 people on June 19 in Baltimore. The presentation coincided with visits to Washington, D.C., by over 20 former refugees, all of whom were honored at the event and took part in visits to Capitol Hill on World Refugee Day (June 20).
The newspaper Viet Bao ran the article “LIRS Trao Tặng Bằng Danh Dự 2013 Walk of Courage Award Cho Cựu Chiến Binh Iraq Và Hiện Giờ Là Nghị Viên Chris Phan,” (LIRS Presents 2013 ‘Walk of Courage Award’ to Iraq Veteran and City Councilmember Chris Phan) on June 21.
As I’m quoted as saying in the article, “We’re honored to present the Walk of Courage Award to Chris Phan, who exemplifies how former refugees give back to America. As a member of the U.S. military, an elected official, and an advocate for refugee protection, Chris has extended a hand to those in need in his community, across the country, and abroad.”
Another quote from the article:
“I’m glad to be receiving this award, and I see it as recognition of the important contributions that former refugees are making to improving communities all over America,” said Phan, a resident and city councilmember of Garden Grove, CA. “I’m honored to be here in Baltimore as a voice for refugees, and to be visiting Capitol Hill tomorrow to encourage lawmakers to strengthen the United States’ proud tradition as a global leader in refugee protection.”
We’re also incredibly pleased that the Voice of America Vietnamese Service made a point of running an interview about the award presentation: “Pv: Người Mỹ gốc Việt nhận Giải thưởng Hành trình Can đảm” (Vietnamese American Wins Walk of Courage Award).
Asked by Voice of America interviewer Tra Mi why he thinks he was selected, he says: “I think I was chosen [for the award] because I care about refugees; not only about our refugees, but also for refugees from all over the world.” He goes on to explain how, as a soldier in Iraq, he came to know some Iraqis and helped them apply for refugee status.
We’re proud to have presented the Walk of Courage Award to Chris Phan, and grateful to Voice of America and Viet Bao for helping to inform the Vietnamese-American community about his accomplishments!