Jimmy Phanh, a leader in Northern California's Mien community, died Wednesday of an enlarged heart. He was 47.
The son of a village leader and Taoist priest in Saybouri, Laos, Mr. Phanh led Sacramento's 12,000-member Iu Mien community, the nation's largest. He helped hundreds of refugees learn English, finish school, find jobs and cope with the generational and cultural problems that often trip up newcomers.
Mr. Phanh was instrumental in founding the United Iu Mien Community Inc. to advocate for his people and the annual Iu-Mien Student Conference, which has guided dozens of young Mien Americans to college.
"In Laos, your tool is your hands – here, it's the brain," Mr. Phanh told The Bee in 2000. "It's hard for young people to think that way."
"He was able to get his GED, but he tried college several times – last time was about a year ago, and he asked me if it's possible for him to get a college education," said friend Chiem-Seng Yaangh. "I said yes, but everything else kept getting in the way – his commitment to family and community."
Mr. Phanh helped his family escape to Thailand in 1979 when Lao Communists were rounding up village leaders. He translated for refugees in Ban Vinai camp. He was a job developer for Sacramento Lao Family Community Inc. for 20 years. In the months before his death, Mr. Phanh – whose family has a strawberry farm – went from farm to farm educating Mien growers how to grow fruit without pesticides, Yaangh said. "His positive spirit, humorous nature and commitment to the Iu Mien community will be sweetly remembered and greatly missed."
Assemblyman Dave Jones, D-Sacramento, worked with Mr. Phanh as a Sacramento councilman.
"He always impressed me with his deep and abiding concern for the Mien people and his work helping to ensure that future generations of the Mien have every opportunity to be successful in our community," Jones said.
Call The Bee's Stephen Magagnini, (916) 321-1072.
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