REMEMBERING MOUAGE MOUANOUTOUA

REMEMBERING MOUAGE MOUANOUTOUA

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 1 (Friday, January 3, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 1 (Friday, January 3, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING MOUAGE MOUANOUTOUA ______ HON. VINCE FONG of california in the house of representatives Friday, January 3, 2025 Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life and legacy of Mouage Mouanoutoua. Mouage Mouanoutoua, of Clovis, California, went home to be with his Lord and savior on December 1, 2024. Mouage was born on November 15, 1937, in Ban Phou Nong (Mount Lake Village), Xieng Khouang Province, in the Kingdom of Laos, to Noutoua Moua and Xaab Khang. He was one of fifteen children and was the last one of that generation. His life was a testament to his father Noutoua's teaching: ``Xa quas chiv rua txuj kev ua neej, txhaj yuav muaj lub neej zoo nrug luag ua.'' (Discipline yourself to a life of honor, then you will have a worthy life.) He loved his elders and kept his lineage a focal point of how he lived his life. He married his love, Rhus Hawj, on January 15, 1959. Together they had ten children, thirty-eight grandchildren, and four great- grandchildren. His life was dedicated to making sure everyone was protected, provided for, cared for and loved. Mouage and his older brother Pang Ger were the first to have formal education in Xieng Khouang City in 1952. He finished with a degree equivalent to a high school diploma. His brother Pang Ger became the Mayor of the province of Vieng Fa, while Mouage became a magistrate of the Justice Department in the Lao government. They fulfilled their father's dream of having educated children. He instilled the importance of education in all of his descendants. Mouage loved his God and served him faithfully. Ever since his father's conversion to Christianity in December 1953, he never faltered in his belief that Jesus allowed believers to have direct communication with and be with God--both for salvation and blessings. Mouage served the Lao Evangelical Church in Laos and started the first Lao Evangelical Church in the United States. He was a prayer warrior-- communicating with God was his daily purpose. Mouage had a loving heart and was a beautiful soul. He was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He will be cherished and missed by all who knew him. ____________________