Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions
Floor Speech
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.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source