*EPF406 03/29/01
Text: Resolution Introduced for National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day
(Cites Lao-Hmong fight against communists) (710)
The Lao-Hmong, who lived in the border area between Vietnam and Laos, should be honored by a day that recognizes their struggle against the communist forces that ultimately came to power in Vietnam and Laos, according to a resolution introduced into the House of Representatives March 27.
Representative Thomas Tancredo (Republican of Colorado) introduced House Concurrent Resolution 88 (H. Con. Res. 88) that would have the President issue a proclamation for a National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day.
The resolution was referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.
Tancredo, who sits on the House International Relations subcommittee on International Relations and Human Rights, in his resolution says Lao-Hmong protected U.S. service personnel, gathered intelligence about enemy operations, and undertook rescue missions to save the lives of downed American pilots during the Vietnam War.
More than 35,000 Lao-Hmong died, Tancredo said, defending democracy, with many more injured and disabled.
Tancredo said various state and local governments have issued the proclamations declaring July 22 as Lao-Hmong Recognition Day. The first such proclamation was made in 1995 in Golden, Colorado.
Establishing a National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day, the resolution says, "would recognize the bravery, sacrifice, and loyalty to the United States exhibited by the Lao-Hmong in Southeast Asia."
Following is the text:
(begin text)
Expressing the sense of the Congress that the President should issue a proclamation recognizing a National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day. (Introduced in the House)
HCON 88 IH
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 88
Expressing the sense of the Congress that the President should issue a proclamation recognizing a National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 27, 2001
Mr. TANCREDO submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the Congress that the President should issue a proclamation recognizing a National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day.
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 United States pilots;
Whereas more than 35,000 of the Lao-Hmong lost their lives defending the democratic way of life, 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 Communist 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 House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), that it is the sense of the Congress that the President should issue a proclamation--
(1) recognizing a National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day; and
(2) calling on the people of the United States to recognize the service and sacrifice of men and women of the Lao-Hmong with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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