Priopćenja za tisak
13. siječnja 2023
Ekonomske mogućnosti i zaštita reproduktivnog zdravlja, LGBTQ+ i prava useljenika/izbjeglica među glavnim prioritetima nove zastupnice Hoan Huynh
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Državni zastupnik Hoan Huynh, D-Chicago, započeo je svoj prvi mandat u domu Illinoisa Predstavnici u srijedu s predanošću borbi za ekonomske mogućnosti, ekološku pravdu i potrebe onih koji su najviše ostavljeni, posebno naših starijih osoba i zajednica s niskim prihodima obojenih, uz predanost zaštiti reproduktivnog zdravlja, LGBTQ+ i imigranata/izbjeglica prava.
“Danas sam ponosan što stojim u dvoranama Illinoisa kao izbjeglica iz Vijetnamskog rata i sin
izbjeglice koje nikada nisu gubile nadu, sačuvale vjeru i žrtvovale sve samo da možemo živjeti u zemlji
koja je cijenila demokraciju, slobodu i ljudska prava. Moja me zajednica u Americi odgojila i odgojila,
i moji su me roditelji naučili vrijednosti napornog rada, služenja zajednici i brige o svojim susjedima.
U Springfieldu ću uzeti svaku lekciju koju su mi roditelji usadili i donosit ću zakone s nepokolebljivom
predanost borbi za one koji su ostali u našoj državi.”
Polažući prisegu po prvi put, Huynh je postao prvi vijetnamski Amerikanac i izbjeglica
ikad izabran u povijesti države Illinois, prvi Amerikanac azijskog porijekla koji je predstavljao Chicago Northside i
lakefront u Glavnoj skupštini, i prva osoba u boji koja će predstavljati 13. državni okrug.
Huynh u ured donosi različita profesionalna iskustva, uključujući iskustvo u društvenom utjecaju
ulaganja, poduzetništvo i tehnološke inovacije te istraživanje javnih politika. Huynhovi prioriteti
također uključuju javnu sigurnost i prevenciju nasilja oružanim oružjem, pristupačno stanovanje i smanjenje broja beskućnika,
tranzitna infrastruktura i proširenje pristupa skrbi za mentalno zdravlje. Huynh će se također boriti za politiku koja
zalaže se za interese malih poduzeća i poštuje radničku klasu te zagovara one iz
imigrantskog i izbjegličkog podrijetla. Huynh će uvijek posuditi svoj glas kako bi podržao pravo žene na
odabrati i pristupiti reproduktivnoj zdravstvenoj zaštiti.
"Uzbuđen sam što sam još jedan glas koji razmišlja naprijed u Springfieldu i zagovaram sjevernu stranu Chicaga
zajednice”, rekao je Huynh. “Svakodnevno ću neumorno raditi sa zakonodavcima, stručnjacima i susjedima iz
različite pozadine za rješavanje složenih izazova s kojima se suočavaju Illinoisanci posvuda."
Huynh predstavlja 13. House District, koji se u potpunosti sastoji od sjeverne strane Chicaga i obale jezera
zajednice, uključujući četvrti Uptown, Andersonville, Wrigleyville, Ravenswood, Lincoln
Square, Lake View, Bowmanville, Buena Park, Sheridan Park, Southport, Arcadia Terrace i Budlong
šume.
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March 22, 2023
Kifowit and Huynh to Honor Vietnam Veterans
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Representatives Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, and Hoan Huynh, D-Chicago, are inviting Vietnam War Veterans to come and be recognized in the gallery of the Illinois House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 29th by House Resolution 104. House Resolution 104 officially designates March 29, 2023 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day in the State of Illinois.
“We need to always strive to give the proper recognition to our Vietnam Veterans to make up for the disrespectful way they were treated upon their return home after serving bravely and faithfully for our Country” stated Kifowit, the only female Veteran in the General Assembly. “I am honored to be able to call many Vietnam Veterans my friends”.
This year, Representative Kifowit is joined by Representative Hoan Huynh in Welcoming Home our Vietnam Veterans by the Illinois House of Representatives. Representative Huynh, the first Illinois House Representative of Vietnamese ancestry and from a Vietnam War refugee background, is also encouraging members of the Vietnamese community who served with American Servicemembers in the South Vietnamese Military to also come and be recognized in the Illinois House gallery.
“I am proud to be the son of a South Vietnamese military officer, who served bravely alongside our American Veterans in the Vietnam War and I welcome members of the Army Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) to come and be recognized alongside the American Veterans they served with. Almost a million members of the South Vietnamese Military served proudly beside the United States Military during the 20-year war in Vietnam,” stated Huynh. “After the fall of Saigon, hundreds of thousands of Army Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) soldiers were sent to concentration camps and perished by the new totalitarian government. Few of the brave soldiers who served received political asylum to the United States and settled in Illinois to have an opportunity for a better life without persecution”.
In 1965, United States Armed Forces ground combat units arrived in Vietnam, and by the end of that year, there were 80,000 United States troops in Vietnam with a peak of approximately 500,000 troops in 1969. More than 58,000 members of the United States Armed Forces lost their lives in Vietnam, and more than 300,000 members were wounded. The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 by the United States Congress officially recognizes March 29th as the day when the last combat troops were withdrawn from Vietnam in 1973.
This year, March 29, 2023 marks the 50th Anniversary of this withdrawal and throughout these 50 years, Veterans of the Vietnam War faithfully have served and contributed to their communities since returning home. House Resolution 104 will be voted on during the regular session of the Illinois House on March 29, 2023 and the expected start of session is 12:00 (noon) but attendees are to arrive early to allow for security entrance.
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January 13, 2023
Economic Opportunity and Protecting Reproductive Healthcare, LGBTQ+, and Immigrant/Refugee Rights Among Top Priorities for New Rep. Hoan Huynh
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Hoan Huynh, D-Chicago, began his first term in the Illinois House of Representatives Wednesday with a dedication to fight for economic opportunity, environmental justice, and the needs of those most left behind, particularly our seniors and low-income communities of color, in addition to a commitment to protect reproductive healthcare, LGBTQ+, and immigrant/refugee rights.
“Today, I am proud to stand in the Illinois House Chambers as a Vietnam War refugee, and the son of
refugees who never gave up hope, kept the faith, and sacrificed everything just so we can live in a country
that valued democracy, freedom, and human rights. My community in America raised and nurtured me,
and my parents taught me the value of hard work, community service, and looking after your neighbors.
In Springfield, I take every lesson that my parents instilled in me and will legislate with an unwavering
commitment to fight for those who have been left behind in our state.”
Taking the oath of office for the first time, Huynh become the first Vietnamese American and refugee
ever elected in Illinois’ state history, the first Asian American to represent Chicago Northside and
lakefront in the General Assembly, and the first person of color to represent the 13th State House District.
Huynh brings a variety of professional experiences to office including a background in social impact
investments, entrepreneurship and technology innovation, and public policy research. Huynh’s priorities
also include public safety and gun violence prevention, affordable housing and decreasing homelessness,
transit infrastructure, and expanding mental healthcare access. Huynh will also fight for policy that
engages the interests of small businesses and respects the working class, and advocate for those from
immigrant and refugee backgrounds. Huynh will always lend his voice to support a woman’s right to
choose and access reproductive healthcare.
“I am excited to be another forward-thinking voice in Springfield, and advocate for our Chicago northside
communities”, said Huynh. “I will work tirelessly everyday with legislators, experts, and neighbors from
different backgrounds to address the complex challenges facing Illinoisans everywhere.”
Huynh represents the 13th House District, which is entirely made up of Chicago’s northside and lakefront
communities, including neighborhoods of Uptown, Andersonville, Wrigleyville, Ravenswood, Lincoln
Square, Lake View, Bowmanville, Buena Park, Sheridan Park, Southport, Arcadia Terrace, and Budlong
Woods.
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