1.1A Senate resolution
1.2honoring Pengsan Ou for his many years of notable service to the Cambodian
1.3community in Minnesota.
1.4WHEREAS, Pengsan Ou was born on June 10, 1947, in the province of Kampong Cham,
1.5in the District of Srey Santhor Commune of Russey Srok, Kampuchea; and
1.6WHEREAS, Pengsan's youth was spent in dire poverty, yet he still developed a desire and
1.7a determination to obtain an education. During the day he sold food on the streets of his village to
1.8provide for his family, and at night he studied with great resolve; and
1.9WHEREAS, between 1967 and 1975, Pengsan taught sixth grade. In 1975, the Khmer Rouge
1.10took power and closed the schools. Pengsan, his wife, his two daughters, and his son were put in
1.11re-education camps. It was during his family's time in the camps that two of his children tragically
1.12passed away; and
1.13WHEREAS, Pengsan and his family arrived in the United States on April 29, 1981. In
1.14Minnesota, Pengsan taught bilingual civics at Edison High School in Minneapolis. He worked full
1.15time as a teacher and worked 32 hours a week at night on the assembly line at Control Data; and
1.16WHEREAS, while Pengsan managed the struggles that refugees often experience in America,
1.17his hard work inspired his children to take full advantage of all that America has to offer. He inspired
1.18and assisted his children at home and made time for community service. He never forgot his roots;
1.19and
1.20WHEREAS, for more than 30 years, Pengsan could be found at Watt (Temple) Munisotaram
1.21every weekend where he shared his ideas and his energy to help establish and expand the temple;
1.22and
1.23WHEREAS, due to Pengsan's declining health, he has been forced to reduce his volunteer
1.24hours at the temple and in the community. Currently, Pengsan participates in a weekly meeting
2.1with other members of the Cambodian community. This meeting, part of the Paris Peace Agreement,
2.2is about humanitarian rights in Cambodia and addresses topics from politics to culture. It also raises
2.3awareness regarding the sovereignty of Cambodia, stressing the erosion of individual sovereignty
2.4that has been slowly disappearing at the hands of foreign invaders; and
2.5WHEREAS, Pengsan has spent most of his life tirelessly volunteering his time, resources,
2.6and energy toward the betterment of the Cambodian community in Minnesota and abroad; and
2.7NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
2.8honors Pengsan Ou for his many years of outstanding service to his community and state.
2.9BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
2.10enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
2.11Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to Pengsan Ou.

Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate

Jeremy R. MillerChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Eric R. PrattState Senator, District 55