[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 17, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S5706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 43--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR DESIGNATION OF 
                A ``NATIONAL LAO-HMONG RECOGNITION DAY''

  Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself and Ms. Murkowski) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations:

                            S. Con. Res. 43

       Whereas the Lao-Hmong, which means ``free people'', are 
     Laotian members of the Hmong tribe and are noted for their 
     warrior tradition, loyalty, and bravery;
       Whereas beginning in 1960, the United States recruited 
     thousands of the Lao-Hmong to fight against the Communist 
     Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese Army regulars in Laos;
       Whereas the United States relied heavily on the Lao-Hmong 
     Special Guerrilla Units to engage in direct combat with North 
     Vietnamese troops from 1960 to 1975;
       Whereas the Lao-Hmong conducted tactical guerrilla actions, 
     flew thousands of deadly combat missions in support of the 
     Armed Forces and the Central Intelligence Agency, and fought 
     in conventional and guerrilla combat clashes with extreme 
     casualties;
       Whereas the Lao-Hmong, although outnumbered, fought against 
     enemy forces to disrupt the flow of troops and war supplies 
     along the Ho Chi Minh Trail;
       Whereas the Lao-Hmong protected United States personnel, 
     guarded United States Air Force radar installations, gathered 
     critical intelligence about enemy operations, and undertook 
     rescue missions to save the lives of downed American pilots;
       Whereas more than 35,000 of the Lao-Hmong lost their lives, 
     and many more were seriously injured and disabled;
       Whereas thousands of Lao-Hmong suffered grievous injuries 
     and permanent disabilities, and thousands more were captured 
     and sent to concentration camps;
       Whereas after the conclusion of the war, many Lao-Hmong 
     soldiers were the victims of acts of retribution and 
     atrocities by the Pathet Lao, causing many of the Lao-Hmong 
     to flee to neighboring Thailand and become refugees; and
       Whereas beginning with the City Council of Golden, 
     Colorado, in 1995, various State and local governments have 
     issued proclamations declaring July 22 as ``Lao-Hmong 
     Recognition Day'', and the establishment of a ``National Lao-
     Hmong Recognition Day'' would recognize the bravery, 
     sacrifice, and loyalty to the United States exhibited by the 
     Lao-Hmong in Southeast Asia: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) expresses support for the designation of ``National 
     Lao-Hmong Recognition Day''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to observe 
     ``National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day'' with appropriate 
     ceremonies and activities.

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