Sabaydii my fellow Satjadham and Laonetters,

	Let me continue with the internal conference first. As our name 
is Satjadham which means the truth which never changes with time, we 
intend to speak, and write only the truth. We realize that the path of 
truth is tortuous but as long as we still have a single breath, we will 
follow this path. When it comes to writing, our intention is not to 
attack but to offer constructive criticism. We hope that with love 
flowing from our pure hearts, one day, those who are in a position of power 
will listen to us. After all, we are all Lao, if we don't love one 
another, who will?
	One point which we have time to touch is: it is a sacred duty of 
each one of us to make Satjadham forum alive. If one sees that Satjadham 
lacks vitality in its regular discussion or is just quiet for no reasons, 
one should take initiatives for Satjadham doesn't belong to anyone in 
particular but us all. 
	Let me take this occasion to write down my plenary address which 
I gave to the group on the first day of the meeting.

The men and women of Satjadham
	Sabaydii my beloved fellow Satjadham,
	First of all, let me express my gratitude to the attendees who 
has sacrificed time, labor, talent and money to come to this conference.
Most of all, let me express my gratitude to Sonny and his staff at Fresno 
who has given everything to hold this conference.
	In the name of the founders of Satjadham, I am very elated to 
witness the growth of Satjadham and the solidarity of its members. In 
case I have to leave this beloved Satjadham for certain reasons, I will 
leave with the confidence that Satjadham is in the hands and guidance of 
those who have talent and will to preserve the spirit of Satjadham.
	To make us realize that for what reasons Satjadham is founded, 
what makes us gather around this group, and what we should do to deserve 
the name of "The men and women of Satjadham", I would like to take this 
occasion to talk to you on the above items.
	
	For what reasons is Satjadham founded? 
	It has been known that Lao people neither like to write nor read 
that much. This problem doesn't stem from only the ordinary Lao but the 
educated Lao as well. If we let this situation continue, it will bring 
only the disservice or at least the-nothing-better to Quon Lao. The 
educator has once said, "If you want to see the status of any countries, 
just look at their schools." Likewise, it won't be too much to say that 
if you want to see the heart and soul of any population, just look at the 
writing of those population. Of course, the quantity and quality of the 
writing will dictate how much progress certain population has made. 
Some people will ask, "Is the writing this important?" On the surface, the 
answer is a big NO because  the writing is not the buildings, not cars, 
not utilities or not food but if we look carefully, the answer will be 
YES because before any writing is produced, the writer has seen, known 
and pondered about what happens. Then, with the judgment which he/she 
thinks is important, with the courage to change things and with the 
concern of other suffering human beings, the writing in the form of 
essays, short stories, and poems are consciously written. Of course, any 
population who produces a big output of writings means that they care 
about the ongoing activities of their country. The result is what needs 
to be changed is implemented in due time.

	Coming back to Quon Lao especially Quon Lao overseas, I find that 
it is necessary to write because:
1/ There is a lot of things that we need to learn especially the 
knowledge that is applicable to our people.
2/ One out of any ten Quon Lao who has made it, nine is struggling in this
foreign county.
3/ We have the internet which if we use it wisely, will become a stage 
where knowledge is effectively transmitted to fellow Quon Lao.
4/ Food for thought is as important as nutritional food. Of course, 
nutritional food helps keeps our body strong and healthy but at the same 
time food for thought helps makes our life worth living. I, myself, has 
stood proudly until today because of the books which are written from the 
concern of the poor, the wishes for a better life and the fight for 
justice which I believe many people want this kind of food as mine.

	With the above reasons, Satjadham is beginning to form in my 
mind. Of course, Satjadham has its present form because of the assistance 
of each member especially Guy and Alisak who energeticly helps recruit new 
members to Satjadham.

	What makes us gather around Satjadham?
	Of course, everyone has his/her own reasons. Some join us because 
they want to get to know more friends. Some because they want to use 
Satjadham as a stage to practise their writing and some because Satjadham 
is such a hit. But there is one thing which those who join us has more or 
less. That thing is the blood of Laoness. Because of this blood, we can't 
stand to see other Lao suffer in poverty, or destroy themselves 
shortsightedly. We know that we have other duties to take care of such as 
earning a living, raising our kids or studying for a degree but these 
obstacles won't deter us from sparing any time that we have to write 
and to exchange ideas hoping that one day when we have enough strength in 
talent, resources and solidarity; we will produce something concrete for the 
benefit of Muang Lao an Quon Lao. 

	What should we do to deserve the name of Satjadham?
	Every good organization has its own unique characteristics. This 
characteristics will determine whether the organization will progress or 
stay stagnant. First of all, we got to know what characteristics our 
organization is based on, then what we should do to deserve to be the 
men and women of that organization.
	What does Satjadham mean?
	Satjadham is a combination of the words "Satja" and "Dhamma". 
Satja means the truth, and Dhamma means the universal law therefore 
Satjadham means the universal law which is always true. If we want to 
interpret it even more, Satjadham means the truth which stands above and 
beyond Maya (illusion) which comes with the form, taste, smell, sound and 
sight. Even though time will passs, everything will change but Satjadham 
will remain Satjadham forever.
	What should we do to deserve the name "the men and women of 
Satjadham"? 
	Above all else, our organization stands on the truth. In order to 
deserve this name, we should:
1/ Speak and write only the truth. That means we shouldn't be afraid or 
intimidated of any power.
2/ Preserve and promote the best elements of our Lao culture.
3/ Devote ourselves to give hope to those who are wandered, lost or 
wretched.
4/ Be proud to be born Lao and a member of Satjadham.
5/ Have a principle based on the truth, justice, compassion and wisdom.
6/ Help make Satjadham become
	an organization which unites all concerned Quon Lao,
	an organization which truly benefits Quon Lao and Muang Lao,
	an organization which builds everlasting camaraderie among members,
	I believe that if all members of Satjadham become one like the 
occurence of this conference, Satjadham will become a torch shining the 
way for this generation and the next generation to come.
	Let this conference be a new starting point of Satjadham.
	Let the men and women of Satjadham unite to make our dream come true.
	And let the Lao blood in each Satjadham member boil until Muang 
Lao stands on the same level as other civilized nations and Quon Lao be 
able to stand on its own feet with dignity deserving the name of Lao - a 
star shining brightly in the sky.
Thank you!



Hak phaang,
Kongkeo Saycocie
http://www.santarosa.edu/~ksaycoci/kongkeo.html
http://www.sonic.net/~kongkeo/Poem.html