[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 128 (Wednesday, August 5, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S4472]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO HMONG AMERICAN VETERANS

  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. President, today we honor the extraordinary 
bravery, sacrifice, and devotion of Hmong American veterans who stood 
alongside the United States during the Vietnam war.
  From 1961 to 1975, Hmong soldiers fought in the CIA-backed operation 
known as the Secret War in Laos under the leadership of Vang Pao, 
risking everything to defend freedom and support American forces.
  Hmong forces carried out dangerous missions, gathered intelligence, 
disrupted enemy supply lines along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, and rescued 
downed American pilots. Thousands of American lives were saved because 
of the courage and perseverance of Hmong soldiers.
  The Hmong people paid an enormous price for their alliance with the 
United States. More than 40,000 Hmong fighters were killed or wounded 
during the conflict.
  For many years, the contributions of Hmong veterans remained largely 
unknown because the conflict in Laos was classified as the ``Secret 
War.''
  Today, we ensure that history remembers their service and that future 
generations understand the sacrifices they made in defense of freedom.
  Alaska is proud to be home to a robust Hmong community whose members 
continue to serve our State through military service, business 
ownership, public service, education, and community leadership.
  We recognize veterans such as Pasert Lee, a resident of the Mountain 
View neighborhood in Anchorage, AK, who served as a lieutenant under 
General Vang Pao and helped rescue American pilots during the war. As 
communist forces took control of Laos, those who had stood with the 
United States faced persecution, imprisonment, and even death. The 
beginning of the exodus of the Hmong people from their homes in Laos 
began following the May 1975 Communist takeover.
  Many Hmong families were forced to flee Laos to escape persecution. 
Many veterans and their families have never been able to safely return 
to their homeland.
  Mr. Lee, like most of our Hmong American veterans, has never returned 
home, even to visit, in fear for their lives.
  Their story is one of courage, resilience, conviction, and unwavering 
commitment to the United States.
  We have a moral obligation to remember those who fought beside 
American servicemembers and to ensure their sacrifices are never 
forgotten.

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