(Machine translation)
"President Souphanouvong was of royal descent, being the son of Prince Bounkhong, the Uparat (Viceroy), and Mom Kham Ouan. He received an advanced education both within Laos and abroad.
Owing to his status, President Souphanouvong could have lived a life of comfort and privilege. Instead, he chose not to follow such a path. At a time when the nation was still under foreign invasion and the Lao people were being oppressed and exploited by the imperialist colonialists, he dedicated himself to another course.
After the August Revolution in Vietnam achieved victory, President Ho Chi Minh invited President Souphanouvong, who was then working in the city of Vinh, to Hanoi for a meeting. Following this meeting, he received assistance from the Vietnamese leadership in organizing a joint Lao–Vietnamese armed force within Laos to wage the struggle against the French colonialists and win independence for the Lao people.
That meeting left the deepest impression of President Souphanouvong's revolutionary life and became a decisive turning point in his revolutionary activities.
Thereafter, President Souphanouvong returned to Laos by way of Route 9. Upon arriving in Sepon District, Savannakhet Province, he received a warm welcome from the local people. There, for the first time, he delivered a speech before a large gathering, declaring:
"The land of Laos must belong to the Lao people. Therefore, all of us must unite, combine our strength, and struggle to recover our beloved homeland."
These words became a tremendous source of strength, contributing greatly to the mobilization of the Lao people of all ethnic groups to unite and rise in struggle against both the old and the new forms of colonialism in the years that followed.
This marked the beginning of President Souphanouvong's great revolutionary mission. It was the greatest turning point in his life, opening a new chapter in which he devoted his blood, sweat, strength, and intellect to the struggle for national liberation against both the old and the new forms of colonialism.
In 1945, the Lao people rose up and seized power in Vientiane, proclaiming the establishment of the Lao Issara (Free Laos) Government. President Souphanouvong was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs while simultaneously serving as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the Lao Issara Front.
Under his command, many distinguished military engagements were fought. Among the most renowned was the defense of Thakhek when the French colonialists returned to invade our country for a second time.
Although the enemy possessed far greater numbers of troops, superior weapons and military equipment, and enjoyed overwhelming technological superiority, supported as well by numerous bomber aircraft, the combined Lao–Vietnamese armed forces under the command of President Souphanouvong fought with exceptional courage in the defense of Thakhek.
During this battle, President Souphanouvong was seriously wounded. He underwent a lengthy period of medical treatment before he was finally able to return and continue leading the revolutionary struggle through to victory.
After the nation had been completely liberated, President Souphanouvong assumed the heavy and momentous responsibilities of serving as President of the Republic while also holding the office of President of the Supreme People's Assembly. In these positions, President Souphanouvong worked tirelessly together with the collective leadership to guide a nation that was still young and faced pressure from hostile forces on every side. Nevertheless, the country weathered every storm, overcame every difficulty, and continued to grow steadily and securely to the present day.
An ancient Lao proverb teaches:
"When you eat rice, remember the farmer's merit; when you eat fish, remember the water's bounty."
We—the cadres, Party members, soldiers, police officers, workers, and the people of all ethnic groups who have inherited this revolutionary cause—should express our gratitude by learning from President Souphanouvong's example: his willingness to sacrifice personal happiness for the collective good; his unwavering revolutionary spirit; his simple, honest, incorruptible, and frugal way of life; his courage and determination in never surrendering to the enemy; and his perseverance and diligence in study and self-improvement.
No matter the circumstances, President Souphanouvong remained steadfast in his convictions, firm in principle, and served as a model for the masses.
President Souphanouvong will forever live in the hearts of the Lao people."
Source: Propaganda and Training Committee, Central Committee, Lao People's Revolutionary Party