Speech

This is my first visit to the south of Laos as the new American Ambassador. I am delighted to be here to welcome you to this facility. I am especially pleased to see so many children here.

First, I would like to thank Mrs. Kongdeune Nettavong, Director of the National Library, for coming today to participate in this event. I would also like to thank Outhai Senlath for her support to this project. 

I am very pleased by the continuing efforts of the staff of the Champassak library to bring a love of reading to both children and adults. 

As you well know, literacy is important not only for the future of each individual, but also for the future  prosperity of the nation as a whole.

I hope this American section of the Champassak Library will help to introduce the children of Champassak to the world of books; to the knowledge they contain; and to the opportunities they offer.
 
I also hope that the creation of this American Section  will be another step forward in building mutual understanding between the United States and the Lao P.D.R.

The materials here will help Lao students learn about the US and help them learn the English language. We also have books and materials on topics important to both the Lao and American people, for example on the dangers of trafficking in persons, the terrible harm of drug abuse, and the importance of protecting the environment. 

We hope that Lao students and their families will make every effort to use and enjoy not only the American section but the entire library.