[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S10777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING AND COMMENDING THE LAO VETERANS OF AMERICA

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that we now proceed 
to the consideration of H. Con. Res 406.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will state the concurrent resolution 
by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 406) honoring and 
     commending the Lao Veterans of America, Laotian and Hmong 
     veterans of the Vietnam War, and their families, for their 
     historic contributions to the United States.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements related 
thereto be printed in the Record, including the statement of Senator 
Wellstone.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 406) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I want to take a moment to thank my 
colleagues for passing H. Con. Res. 406. This resolution commemorates 
the tremendous sacrifice made by so many Lao-Hmong during the Vietnam 
War.
  As a Senator from Minnesota, I am proud to represent one of the 
largest Hmong populations in America. My experience as a Senator has 
become so much greater as a result of coming to know the noble history 
and rich culture of the Hmong people in Minnesota. I am in awe of their 
sacrifice for the American people.
  Hmong soldiers died at ten times the rate of American soldiers in the 
Vietnam War. Yet, because America's war effort in Laos was covert, the 
sacrifices and service of the Hmong and Lao veterans is still largely 
untold. The legislation we passed today is a tribute to the Hmong 
people's sacrifice for our country. It is a small but meaningful step 
in honoring and fulfilling our debt to the Hmong and Lao veterans and 
their families.
  This resolution also commends the leadership of the Lao Veterans of 
America for its work in passing several pieces of legislation I 
introduced with Congressman Vento that would expedite citizenship for 
Hmong veterans and their wives. In addition, they led the fight to 
erect a monument in Arlington National Cemetery in honor of the Hmong 
who died in the Vietnam War. The Lao Veterans of America, including 
Cherzong Vang, in Minnesota, and Colonel Vang Yee Vang, Executive 
Director of the organization, has worked tirelessly to educate Congress 
and the public about the history and contributions of the Hmong people 
in our county. This resolution is a fitting response to this important 
work.
  Again, I thank my colleagues for passing this excellent and overdue 
legislation.

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