2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
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2023 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 43
May 15, 2023 - Introduced by Senator TOMCZYK, cosponsored by Representative
SNYDER. Referred to Committee on Senate Organization.
1 Relating to: commemorating Hmong-Lao Veterans Day and honoring the
2 Hmong-Lao veterans who served alongside the United States in the Vietnam
3 War.
4 Whereas, during the Vietnam War, the Central Intelligence Agency and U.S.
5 Armed Forces recruited, organized, trained, and assisted Hmong-Lao forces to
6 combat the North Vietnamese Army and Pathet Lao forces; and
7 Whereas, thousands of Hmong-Lao people courageously fought alongside
8 Americans throughout the Vietnam War and, facing harsh retribution from the
9 Vietnamese and Lao governments following the war's end, many were ultimately
10 forced to flee their homes; and
11 Whereas, on May 14, 1975, the last of the Hmong-Lao soldiers and their
12 families fled Laos for the Nam Phong refugee camp in Thailand to later resettle in
13 communities throughout the United States, including Wisconsin, and today, our
14 state is home to a significant number of Hmong-Lao veterans; and
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1 Whereas, in accordance with 2021 Wisconsin Act 31, May 14 of every year is
2 designated as a day to thank Hmong-Lao veterans in Wisconsin for their service and
3 sacrifice, recall their accomplishments, and encourage schools to include their
4 military service in discussions and curriculums surrounding the Vietnam War; and
5 Whereas, the Wisconsin Lao Veterans of America (WLVA) has established
6 chapters throughout our state to serve local communities and educate the public
7 about the contributions of our Hmong-Lao veterans during the Vietnam War; and
8 Whereas, today, the state of Wisconsin joins the WLVA and all Wisconsinites in
9 reflecting on the tremendous, and too often overlooked, heroism and sacrifice of
10 Hmong-Lao veterans in our state; now, therefore, be it
11 Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the
12 Wisconsin Legislature recognize May 14, 2023, as Hmong-Lao Veterans Day and pay
13 tribute to those Hmong-Lao veterans who honorably and bravely served alongside
14 the United States in the Vietnam War.
15 (END)