[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 102 (Wednesday, July 24, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1325]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE LAO VETERANS OF AMERICA, MICHIGAN CHAPTER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 23, 2002

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
the Lao Veterans of America, Michigan Chapter. These veterans who 
served in the United States ``Secret Army'' are Hmong and Lao combat 
soldiers. They served in Laos during the Vietnam War from 1961 until 
1975.
  The Lao Veterans of America is made up of tens of thousands of Hmong 
and Lao combat veterans and their families who played a historic role 
in the covert operations during the Vietnam conflict era. Fearless 
Hmong men, women and children fought and died alongside U.S. soldiers. 
It is reported that approximately 35,000 to 40,000 Hmong soldiers lost 
their lives in combat, 50,000 to 58,000 were wounded, and 2,500 were 
missing in action. Even when the war had ended, North Vietnamese 
Communist forces continued to commit deadly acts of violence on the 
innocent people of Laos.
  The Lao Veterans of America represent a group of selfless men and 
women, who risked their lives in the fight for world freedom and 
democracy. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing 
the Lao Veterans of America, Michigan Chapter, for their outstanding 
efforts and contributions to this world.

                          ____________________