[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 74 (Thursday, May 14, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2936-S2937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      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.

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