The State Senate unanimously passed HJR 16, and was co-sponsored by all 20 members, which encourages Congress to follow through on a promise made to Hmong warriors that they would be treated like other United States veterans in their help during the Vietnam War.
Sen. Gary Stevens explained:
“HJR 16 encourages the United States Congress to fulfill the promises made to the Hmong soldiers during the Vietnam War and grant them access to the same veterans’ benefits received by United States soldiers. Recall, if you will, those of you in the room that in the 1960s, over 100,000 Hmong soldiers were recruited by United States Central Intelligence Agency to help in the fight against communism in Vietnam. The Hmong warriors fought to intercept and prevent the flow of troops and supplies along the Ho Chi Minh Trail and as many as 40,000 Hmong soldiers were killed as they supported and protected United States armed forces. They are honored for their loyalty, and they were promised access to the same veterans benefits as those received by other United States veterans, myself included, the Hmong people have put their faith and trust in our government and we need to stand up and honor that promise we made.”
Approximately 40,000 Hmong soldiers lost their lives defending democracy, approximately 50,000 Hmong soldiers were seriously injured and disabled, and approximately 3,000 Hmong soldiers were missing in action. Approximately 50,000 Hmong veterans reside in the United States, and 150,000 Hmong and Laotian-born children have graduated from schools in this country.
Because the United State’s war effort in Laos was covert, the accounts of sacrifices and service of the Hmong soldiers remain largely unknown.
Transcribed audio courtesy of KTOO 360TV.