The Senate resolution recognizes Cherpheng Thao for his significant contributions as an educator and preserver of Hmong culture. Born in Laos in 1953, Thao immigrated to the United States in the early 1980s, where he pursued higher education, earning a bachelor's degree in marketing education and a master's degree in education administration. He dedicated 34 years to teaching math and social studies in public schools and served as a case manager for nonprofit organizations, focusing on refugee programs. Thao also played a vital role at the Hmong Cultural Center, where he volunteered for over two decades, helping to establish cultural and citizenship education programs.

In addition to his professional achievements, Thao is a devoted family man, raising eight children, all of whom have completed higher education. He has faced health challenges, including multiple open-heart surgeries, yet continues to be an active member of his community and a proud farmer in retirement. The resolution commends Thao for his lifelong commitment to education and cultural preservation, celebrating his legacy of public service that has positively impacted thousands of children and the Hmong community in Minnesota.