[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 106 (Thursday, July 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             EXTEND THE HMONG VETERANS' NATURALIZATION ACT

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                         HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 16, 2003

  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation that 
would allow more Hmong refugees who served in conjunction with American 
soldiers during the Vietnam War to apply for citizenship with special 
consideration of their service to our country.
  Between 1961 and 1975 Hmong soldiers gathered intelligence, conducted 
reconnaissance, and undertook other dangerous missions in support of 
American troops. Tens of thousands of Hmong died during the war and 
over 100,000 were forced to flee to refugee camps.
  In 2000, under the leadership of the late Rep. Bruce Vento, Congress 
approved the Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act, which provided an 
exemption from the English language requirement and special 
consideration on the civics test for those Hmong veterans and their 
spouses. Later that year, similar legislation was enacted granting the 
same benefits to widows of Hmong veterans.
  Approximately 5,000 Hmong currently living in America took advantage 
of the Hmong Veteran's Naturalization Act and proudly became citizens. 
However, many veterans and their spouses missed the May 26, 2003 
deadline and are now unable to apply for citizenship with the eased 
requirements. My legislation would extend that deadline by an 
additional 18 months in order to give every deserving veteran or 
surviving widow a chance to apply for citizenship.
  Remembering the sacrifices that these brave men and women made while 
rescuing downed American pilots, serving in guerilla units, and in 
other operations in support of U.S. troops, we owe it to them to 
provide every opportunity to become American citizens.
  I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this legislation.

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