[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 74 (Thursday, May 14, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2935-S2937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. TILLIS (for himself, Mr. Burr, Mr. Kaine, and Mr. Warner):
S. 1348. A bill to amend the Intermodal Surface Transportation
Efficiency Act of 1991 with respect to high priority corridors on the
National Highway System, and for other purposes; to the Committee on
Environment and Public Works.
Mr. TILLIS. Mr. President, I am introducing the Route to Opportunity
and Development Act of 2015, which would amend the Intermodal Surface
Transportation Efficiency Act, ISTEA, of 1991 to begin the process
toward eventually making the Raleigh to Norfolk Corridor in North
Carolina and Virginia part of the Interstate system, and to help fully
upgrade the corridor to interstate standards. My colleagues, Senator
Richard Burr, Senator Tim Kaine, and Senator Mark Warner have agreed to
cosponsor the bill. In addition, Congressman G.K. Butterfield has
introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives.
The Route to Opportunity and Development Act of 2015 would designate
the following as high priority: the Raleigh-Norfolk Corridor from
Raleigh, NC, through Rocky Mount, Williamston, and Elizabeth City, NC,
to Norfolk, VA.
If the Raleigh-Norfolk corridor becomes part of the Interstate
system, it would connect vital centers of commerce in the Raleigh and
Norfolk/Hampton Roads region. Raleigh and Hampton Roads are two of the
largest east coast metropolitan regions served by a single primary
interstate route and this act proposes a second primary interstate
route for the two areas.
This act helps advance the North Carolina Department of
Transportation's Strategic Transportation Corridors Vision, which aims
to provide North Carolina with a network of high priority corridors to
promote economic development and enhance interstate commerce. It is
also an important part of the future vision for transportation in the
Commonwealth of Virginia. Federal High Priority Corridors are eligible
for Federal funds to assist states in the coordination, planning,
design and construction of nationally significant transportation
corridors for the purposes of economic growth and international and
interregional growth.
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By Mr. McCONNELL:
S. 1357. A bill to extend authority relating to roving surveillance,
access to business records, and individual terrorists as agents of
foreign powers under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978
until July 31, 2015, and for other purposes; read the first time.
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text
of the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 1357
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
[[Page S2936]]
SECTION 1. EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY UNDER THE FOREIGN
INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT OF 1978.
(a) Roving Surveillance and Access to Business Records.--
Section 102(b)(1) of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and
Reauthorization Act of 2005 (50 U.S.C. 1805 note) is amended
by striking ``June 1, 2015'' and inserting ``July 31, 2015''.
(b) Individual Terrorists as Agents of Foreign Powers.--
Section 6001(b)(1) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism
Prevention Act of 2004 (50 U.S.C. 1801 note) is amended by
striking ``June 1, 2015'' and inserting ``July 31, 2015''.
______
By Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Sullivan, Mr.
Franken, and Mr. Whitehouse):
S. 1358. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to inter in national cemeteries
individuals who supported the United States in Laos during the Vietnam
War era; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, today, I am reintroducing a piece of
legislation which I strongly believe in and know that it is long
overdue. The Hmong Veterans' Service Recognition Act is a bill to
authorize the interment in national cemeteries of Hmong veterans who
served in support of U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. I, along with
a bipartisan group of colleagues, Senators Klobuchar, Sullivan,
Franken, and Whitehouse believe this is an appropriate honor.
Public Law 106-207, The Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000
already acknowledges Hmong Special Guerilla Unit's contributions during
Vietnam and recognizes the service of Hmong Special Guerilla Unit
veterans for the purpose of naturalization. Today we try to write the
next chapter for these brave veterans and grant them the one right they
are requesting, to be buried in our U.S. national cemeteries.
The Hmong were ideal candidates for America's secret war--they were
fighters known for their bravery and warrior traditions who knew the
rocky mountain terrain of Northern Laos very well. The U.S. Central
Intelligence Agency conducted covert operations in Laos which employed
some 60,000 Hmong volunteers in Special Guerilla Units. The Hmong
Fighters interrupted operations on the Ho Chi Minh trail and assisted
in downed aircraft recovery operations of American Airmen. In Laos,
they valiantly fought the Vietnamese and Laotian Communists for over a
decade and were critical to America's war efforts in Vietnam.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.
More than 35,000 Hmong lost their lives and many more were injured and
disabled. I would like to recognize several Hmong Combat Veterans who
live in Alaska. Lieutenant Pasert Lee from Mountain View in Achorage,
AK, was injured in 1972 when his bunker was bombed while providing
radio support for American jets in Laos. He recovered after several
days, made his way to a refugee camp and many years later he was able
to come to America. Lieutenant Wilson Chong Neng Vang, Sergeant Tong
Pao Less and Sergeant Xia Ger Vang reside in Anchorage, AK, and are
recognized for their selfless service in the U.S. Secret Army, Kingdom
of Laos.
There are currently over 260,000 Hmong people in America and
according to the 2010 Census, the heaviest concentrations are in
California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Michigan, Colorado,
Georgia, Oklahoma, Oregon, and my home state of Alaska. Of the Hmong
who became U.S. citizens, approximately 6,000 veterans are still with
us today, and they deserve the choice to be buried in national
cemeteries.
This concept is not without precedent. Currently, burial benefits are
available for Philippine Armed Forces veterans who answered the call to
serve during World War II, just like the Hmong. This legislation would
not grant the small group of Hmong veterans full veteran benefits, but
would simply authorize their interment in national cemeteries across
the Nation. A small, but deserved token of appreciation and an
appropriate honor for their sacrifices towards a common goal of
democracy and freedom in the world.
I believe it is time to recognize the Hmong-American's bravery,
sacrifice and loyalty to the United States. We would like to honor the
Hmong Special Guerilla Unit Veterans' service and sacrifices by
allowing them to be buried alongside their brothers in arms in our
national cemeteries. Again, I appreciate the support of my colleagues
who have joined me to introduce this legislation and look forward to
working with them and others in the Senate to finally getting this
approved into law.
Mr. FRANKEN. Mr. President, today marks the 40th anniversary of the
beginning of the forced exit of many members of the Hmong community
from Laos following the U.S. withdrawal of troops from Vietnam. Tens of
thousands of the Hmong came to my State of Minnesota, and today in
Minnesota, we are honoring this anniversary with Hmong American Day. I
am proud to join my State in recognizing the remarkable service of
those who fought on our behalf, and in celebrating the contributions of
Hmong Americans to our shared community over the last 40 years.
The way I like to explain to people why there are so many Hmong
Americans in Minnesota is by telling them that there are many fewer
American names on the Vietnam War Memorial because of what the Hmong
did for us during the ``secret war.'' Many people in America still do
not realize that. But as the permanent memorial at Arlington says about
the Hmong fighters and their American advisors: ``Their patriotic valor
and loyalty in the defense of liberty and democracy will never be
forgotten.'' In Minnesota, we recognize the remarkable service the
Hmong fighters performed for our country, and we will never forget.
The Senate resolution I am proud to join Senator Hirono and many of
our colleagues in introducing in recognition of May as Asian/Pacific
American Heritage Month states, ``the actions of the Hmong in Laos in
support of the United States during the Vietnam War saves the lives of
countless people of the United States.'' The Hmong fought on our behalf
and saved American lives. But as the new communist regime took control
in Laos, the Hmong were forced to begin their journey as refugees. For
many, this journey would eventually end in Minnesota. Today, the
vibrant Hmong American community in the Twin Cities--the largest urban
Hmong community in the country--and throughout Minnesota is tens of
thousands strong and is woven into the fabric of our society.
You can see their tremendous contribution to American life every day
in the many small businesses started by Hmong Americans on University
Avenue, or at Hmong Village. You can see it in all the ways that Hmong
Americans have brought their culture to the United States and helped to
shape the culture of today's Minnesota. I also remain incredibly proud
that Minnesota can boast that we had the Nation's very first Hmong
American State legislator with my good friend Mee Moua, who has become
a national leader on Asian American issues. I am glad others have
followed in her wake.
Representing the Hmong American community in the Senate is an
important part of my job. That is why I am a cosponsor of a bill being
reintroduced by Senator Murkowski of Alaska along with my fellow
Minnesota Senator, Senator Klobuchar, to make sure that Hmong fighters
in the ``secret war'' can be honored with burial in our national
cemeteries. The Hmong Americans who fought for us deserve nothing less.
It is also why I traveled to Laos several years ago to engage the Lao
Government directly on protecting the Hmong people, including refugees
who had been forcibly repatriated to Laos from Thailand.
And it is why I fight for the Hmong Americans of Minnesota every day
in the Senate. Hmong Americans want the same things that all Americans
want--good-paying jobs, a bright future for their children, excellent
health care. It is my job to help make sure those things are within
everyone's reach.
The Hmong American community has come through so much adversity as
they left Laos and as they resettled in America, and they faced that
adversity with resilience and courage. They serve as an inspiration to
us all.
We are so proud that the Hmong American community is part of the
Minnesota--and the American--community. I am very pleased to join
Minnesota in celebrating Hmong American
[[Page S2937]]
Day--to celebrate the community's achievements and to commemorate the
sacrifices of their loved ones in support of American troops so many
years ago.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 1358
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Hmong Veterans' Service
Recognition Act''.
SEC. 2. ELIGIBILITY FOR INTERMENT IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES.
(a) In General.--Section 2402(a) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(10) Any individual--
``(A) who--
``(i) was naturalized pursuant to section 2(1) of the Hmong
Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-207; 8
U.S.C. 1423 note); and
``(ii) at the time of the individual's death resided in the
United States; or
``(B) who--
``(i) the Secretary determines served with a special
guerrilla unit or irregular forces operating from a base in
Laos in support of the Armed Forces of the United States at
any time during the period beginning February 28, 1961, and
ending May 7, 1975; and
``(ii) at the time of the individual's death--
``(I) was a citizen of the United States or an alien
lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United
States; and
``(II) resided in the United States.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall apply with respect to an individual dying on or after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
____________________