Mondale's role in saving 'boat people' recalled, 30 years later

Programs | MPR News Feature | Topics | Politics | People | Walter Mondale | Special Collections | Minnesota Politicians | Hmong in Minnesota | Types | Reports | Interviews | Grants | Legacy Amendment Digitization (2016-2017) |
November 16, 2009
Dan Olson - Reporter, Walter Mondale - Speaker, Martin Kaplan - Speaker, Connie Tran - Speaker, Hung Phung - Speaker
Listen: Hmong "Boat People" thank Minnesota VP Walter Mondale for saving them from Vietnamese communists 30 years ago
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This year marks a 30th anniversary in the United States' post-Vietnam War experience that's passing with little fanfare. 1979 was the year that the U.S. - led by Vice President Walter Mondale - convinced world leaders to come to the rescue of more than a million so-called "boat people." Thousands who risked the dangers of the South China Sea rather than face life under communism eventually settled in Minnesota. Two of those individuals, Connie Tran and Hung Phung, are interviewed by MPR’s Dan Olson.

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In 2008, Minnesota's voters passed the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution: to protect drinking water sources; to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat; to preserve arts and cultural heritage; to support parks and trails; and to protect, enhance, and restore lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater.

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