PRESS RELEASE

 

Vietnamese Canadian Community to build

“Vietnamese Boat People Museum”

 

During the celebrations on the occasion of the 25^th anniversary of Project 4000 held at the Plant Recreation Centre in Ottawa, the Vietnamese Canadian community has announced the plan to build a “Vietnamese Boat People Museum” to preserve the memories of the plight of Vietnamese refugees in their quest for freedom and the compassion and generous help that Canadians have given to them.  In addition, it will showcase the contribution of the Vietnamese community to Canada and introduce Vietnamese culture to Canadians.  Details on the implementation of this initiative will be presented at a later date.

 

As a gesture to reciprocate the generosity that Canadians from all walks of life have extended to Vietnamese refugees over the years, the community also decided to support Saint-Vincent Hospital in Ottawa in its current expansion project.  Given that the hospital announced on November 20, 2004 that it had already exceeded its fund-raising target of $7.5 million, the community will explore the various ways that its contribution can be made.  A delegation of community representatives will visit the hospital shortly to discuss this issue further.       

 

At a Reunion Dinner held on November 20, 2004 as part of the celebrations, which also included a  photograph exhibition (November 11 – December 5), plaques of appreciation were presented to two international media organizations for disseminating the news on the plight of Vietnamese refugees who fled for freedom following the take-over of South Vietnam by the North Vietnamese Communists in 1975, and to several Canadians for their key roles in the rescue and resettlement of thousands of these refugees in Canada.

 

Recipients of this recognition include: the International Federation of Journalists (based in Brussels, Belgium) and the World Media Association (based in Washington D.C., U.S.A.); former Ottawa Mayor Marion Dewar; former Prime Minister Joe Clark; former Secretary of State for External Affairs Flora MacDonald; former Ministers of Employment and Immigration Bud Cullen and Ron Atkey; Ms. Eleanor Ryan, former Chair of the Executive Committee of Project 4000; Mr. Ian Hamilton, former Canadian Immigration Officer in Southeast Asia; Mr. Russell Mills, former Editor, The Ottawa Citizen; Professor Raymond Le Van Mao, former President of the Boat People SOS Committee – Canada; Dr. Phu D. Truong, former President of the Vietnamese Association of Quebec City; and Mr. Huong N. Duong, former President of the Vietnamese Refugees Sponsorship Committee of Ottawa.

 

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Prime Minister Paul Martin, although unable to attend the above events, sent a message of greetings in which he underlined the contribution of the Vietnamese community to Canada as

follows:

 

“A quarter of a century has passed since this project was first conceived. In that time, the Vietnamese community has made an outstanding contribution to the cultural vitality and economic strength of both the city of Ottawa and our nation. Tonight, as you share your many memories and your remarkable stories of courage and determination, you may take great pride in all that you have accomplished.

 

To the many volunteers, sponsors and community members who worked to make this project a reality, I offer my thanks on behalf of all Canadians for your remarkable efforts”.

 

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For immediate release  

December 15, 2004 

Tel. (613) 230-8282