December 21, 2000
Father Nguyen Van Ly
37 Phan Ding Phung Street
Hue, Vietnam
Dear Father:
I am writing to commend you for your immense contribution to democracy in Vietnam. I enthusiastically support your commitment to the freedom of religion and expression, which is vital to securing basic human rights guarantees in Vietnam.
As a U.S. Representative of many Vietnamese Americans from Houston, I want
you to know that I am following your courageous work quite closely. I am
very aware of the Vietnamese government’s restrictions on Church activities
and how that has hampered your work as a Catholic priest. Your willingness
to be a champion for religious freedom, however, has drawn much deserved
praise from Vietnamese Americans. Your parish should be commended, for
example, for planting a large banner with the words
"We Need Freedom of
Religion"
on Church land. Such acts take enormous courage and care for
your community.
Please continue lifting spirits in your community. Your work will help countless others as you spread the vital values of religious expression. Once again, I salute you for brave work. Please feel free to contact me at (202) 225-3816 at any time.
Sincerely,
Sheila Jackson Lee
Member of Congress