Sun staff photos can be ordered by visiting our MyCapture site.By Lyle Moran, lmoran@lowellsun.com
Updated: 02/15/2012
LOWELL -- U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas says she has long had an appreciation of Lowell's vibrant and large Cambodian community.
She also has possessed a strong desire to visit Cambodia to learn more about the upbringing and culture of so many Lowellians.
She'll get the chance this week as part of a 10-day trip to Cambodia, which will include six days in the country. Tsongas leaves Saturday.
"We all know Lowell has a special and unique relationship with Cambodia given that so many people came here in the 1980s," Tsongas said. "I'm taking this trip to further strengthen ties with the Cambodian community and get a real experience of where so many Lowellians come from."
Tsongas, a Lowell Democrat, will be joined on the trip by City Councilor Vesna Nuon, and Rasy An, the head of the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association. The U.S. State Department is coordinating much of the trip.
While in Cambodia, Tsongas plans to meet with political, business and nongovernmental organization leaders. She also hopes to be able to set up meetings with the prime minister and foreign minister and to learn more about American trade with the country.
"I'm sure we will learn of ways to foster stronger connections between Cambodian-Americans and Cambodia itself," Tsongas said.
The travelers also plan to visit historical and cultural sites, including the Killing Fields, the Cambodian Genocide Museum and the Angkor Wat temple complex. The Killing Fields are where many Cambodians were killed by the Khmer Rouge regime in the late 1970s.
"I want to get a sense of how the country is recovering from those terrible years," Tsongas said.
The Lowell delegation will be based in the city of Phnom Penh, but will also travel to Siem Reap for two days.
Tsongas said she also looks forward to spending time with Cambodian families and eating tons of delectable Cambodian food. If possible, she would like to visit a Cambodian fishing village to see where all the delicious Cambodian fish comes from.
"On the unofficial side, I'll look to Vesna and Rasy to help us do the things anyone from Lowell who goes home would do," Tsongas said.
Nuon, who will miss a City Council meeting, said last night he can't wait for the trip to begin. "I am honored to go on this trip and proud of Congresswoman Tsongas for doing this," Nuon said. "We will get to show her where we really come from."
Lowell has the second largest population of Cambodians behind Long Beach, Calif. Tsongas is paying for her trip.
6 comments:
Great news. She is always has sympathy and speak up for Khmer people. Have a good time, Niki.
Great for all of us, as Khmer born live outside of Cambodia.
Please Mr. Veasna, show the Congresswoman Mme. Tsongas, where we really come from.
Mr. Noun don't even know where he come from...giving him an XO you'll know exactly where he come from :)) very true!!!
Politicians always have a great smile next to the flag.
8:03 AM
We don't know, where he is coming from. But sure we all know, he is a Cambodian American.
Who are councilors,Vesna Nuon, and Rasy An? Where are they from? It is about business and wealth?
Please make sure you are aware CPP is not a good regime. PM Hun Sen and Foreigner Hor Nam Hong of CPP are not good leaders.
We are worried Vesna Nuon, and Rasy An are misleading. It is all over the places.
Just be careful, not to ruin the reputation of the Congress woman Tsongas.
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