Dr. Yang Dao honored by hundreds of friends

ST. PAUL (September 5, 2009) Dr. Yang Dao has the retirement party of all retirement parties at the Prom Center in Oakdale, drawing around 500 guests from around the globe to honor one of the communities most notable and important figures of the past century. Guests honored Dr. Yang Dao and his spouse Mo Ly with a traditional the Bacee Ceremony, followed by speakers and a documentary video on the life and work of Dr. Yang. Born in Laos, Dao Yang excelled in his studies and was sent to study in Sorbonne, University of Paris, France, in 1972, where he would eventually receive a Ph.D. in social science the first Hmong in the world to accomplish this at the time. He would go on to head the Human Resource Department of the Ministry of Planning in the Lao Royal Government until 1974, when he was appointed by H.M. King Sisavang Vatthana to the National Political Consultative Council (Laotian National Congress. After the takeover of Laos by the communists in May 1975, Dr. Yang immigrated to France, where he worked in education and journalism. After meeting with University of Minnesota officials and visiting the Twin Cities on occasion, he would make it his home in 1983, and has since worked for University of Minnesota, Hamline and Metropolitan State University and the Board of Administration of Saint Paul Public Schools. After a great dinner and an endless stream of accolades to his productive life, Dr. Yang said simply that he wanted everyone to enjoy themselves and stick around to dance the night away. His numerous grandchildren performed dances and put together a fashion show, before he got up to sing a song with the children that he had written back in the 1960s while in France. Several of Dr. Yangs boyhood and college friends, and associates in the Royal Lao government were present, as were his friends from the around the country, all talking about how Dr. Yang seemed to be the person to make things happen when they needed to happen throughout the years. U.S. Senator Al Franken was present, and called Dr. Yang a pioneer before greeting the community and said he looked forward to working more with the Hmong in the future. Congresswoman Betty McCollum was present to present a U.S. flag to Dr. Yang, that was flown over the U.S. Capitol. Other speakers talked of a homesick newlywed student in France with his spouse back in Laos. Others talked about him as an inspirational figure in facilitating the Hmong exudes from the Thai refugee camps to new homes and new lives in Australia, France and the United States. There were speakers from the Twin Cities that talked about Dr. Yangs role in the early days of the Hmong resettlement, helping to identify needs and establish projects and organizations to help the transition. Officials present said he has an ability to navigate channels and gain support. State Sen. Mee Moua, State Rep. Cy Thao and Saint Paul Public School Board Chair Kazoua Kong Thao together read a letter from Mayor Chris Coleman declaring Dr. Yang Dao Day. Moua, speaking in Hmong, said Dr. Yang was also the only Hmong person to serve as an education role model for many years. He was the only person who was fighting for them in the education system, she added. His children said simply that they admired their fathers accomplishments, but more for not letting his dedication to work get in the way of raising and caring for his family. They said they would believe he is retired when he stops answering the phone at dinner, or when mother stops entertaining endless guests. Every speaker had a story about their relationship with Dr. Yang, from his boyhood friends, to his school classmates in France, to his fellow government officials of the Royal Lao government. Dr. Yang greeted his guests in their native languages. He speaks and writes fluently in Hmong, Lao, Vietnamese, French, and English. He also has a good command of the Thai language. He has authored and co-authored several books in French and English on the Hmong experience, language and culture. His friends said that Dr. Yangs retirement might perhaps inspire him to write his memoirs. Dr. Yang said that in a span of his 66 years, he have reviewed lifes sacrifices, challenges and major episodes, and said that he couldn't have done much without a great amount of help. He said beginning with his spouse and children, grandchildren and in-laws here and in Laos, and the close support many friends around the world made it possible. We will never forget what each and everyone of you has done to make my life happier in the world in spite of many difficulties, challenges and dangers, said Dr. Yang. It was his chance to say thanks to everyone present for their help and to move on to the next chapter of his life, and realizing more of his life's dream.