Legislature(2019 - 2020)BUTROVICH 205
02/25/2020 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SJR14 | |
| HB56 | |
| SB101 | |
| HB109 | |
| SB169 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SJR 14 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 56 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 101 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 109 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 169 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 56-ESTABLISH HMONG-AMERICAN VETERANS DAY
3:42:23 PM
CHAIR REVAK announced the consideration of HOUSE BILL NO. 56,
"An Act establishing May 15 of each year as Hmong-American
Veterans Day."
3:42:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GERAN TARR, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of HB 56, introduced HB 56 speaking to the
following sponsor statement:
House Bill 56 recognizes and honors the Hmong veterans
who fought alongside the United States during the
Vietnam War, by proclaiming that May 15th be
recognized throughout the State of Alaska as Hmong-
American Veterans Day, for this year and years to
come.
There are an estimated 260,000 Hmong-Americans living
in the United States with an estimated 3,500 Hmong-
Americans living in Alaska. Many of these Alaskans are
veterans and all have been impacted by the legacy of
the Hmong fighting for the United States in the
Vietnam War. Beginning in the 1960's, the Central
Intelligence Agency began recruiting Hmong people to
help U.S. soldiers in the fight against communism.
Between 1962 and 1975, about 12,000 Hmong soldiers
died fighting against the Laotians. After the US
withdrawal from Vietnam in 1975, the Lao kingdom was
overthrown by the communist party and the Hmong became
targets. The Hmong people were displaced and forced to
relocate from Laos to Thailand, with some ending up in
UN refugee camps. It has been estimated that 30,000
Hmong were killed by the communists while trying to
reach refuge in Thailand. All in all, over 100,000
Hmong people died as a result of both the Vietnam and
"Secret" Wars.
The Hmong people put their faith in the United States
government, which promised them citizenship and
veteran status after the war. It's taken over fifty
years for them to receive the rights they were
promised at that time, but still- we must do better.
By recognizing May 15th as Hmong-American Veteran's
Day, we can celebrate and honor the Hmong who were
lost, the sacrifices made to this country, while
bringing pride to their families.
We ask for your support for HB56, recognizing May 15th
as Hmong-American Veterans' Day.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR read the following paragraph from a
Legislative Research report:
The U.S government kept the Secret War in Laos
confidential until 1997. On May 15, 1997, the U.S.
government publicly acknowledged that it had supported
a prolonged air and ground campaign against the North
Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong from Laos, and in honor
of the Hmong and other combat veterans from the Secret
War, dedicated the Laos Memorial on the grounds of
th
Arlington National Cemetery. As a result, May 15 has
become an historic date for Hmong veterans, since it
represents the fist time that the United States
government officially and publicly recognized the
contributions of these soldiers who fought alongside
the Americans during the Vietnam War.
She highlighted the letters that are online from people
supporting this effort.
3:46:26 PM
CHAIR REVAK invited Mr. Lee to provide testimony.
3:46:59 PM
PASERT LEE, President and Founder, Hmong Alaska Community, Inc.,
Anchorage, Alaska, stated that he is testifying in support of HB
56 to establish May 15 as Hmong-American Veterans Day. He has
celebrated this day for seven years now. He reported that the
Hmong volunteered to support the CIA during the Vietnam War in
Indochina and 35,000 lost their lives. In conclusion he
expressed hope that May 15 would become officially recognized as
Hmong-Veterans Day.
3:49:30 PM
MAI XIONG, Hmong Alaska Community, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska,
stated support for HB 56 establishing May 15 as Hmong-American
Veterans Day. The Hmong community has been celebrating May 15
for seven years and would like it to be permanently designated.
When the war ended on May 15, 1975, the military left Laos. Many
Hmong veterans died during that war. She expressed hope that the
bill would be signed into law on May 15.
CHAIR REVAK offered his understanding that more Hmong lost their
lives in the war than American soldiers. He mentioned that Mr.
Lee was wounded several times fighting in support of and saving
the lives of American soldiers, and he expressed appreciation
for his service and what he does in the community.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR thanked him for his service.
3:53:12 PM
CHAIR REVAK opened public testimony and after ascertaining no
one from the public wished to testify, closed public testimony
on HB 56. He noted that the bill has one zero fiscal note from
the Department of Administration. He solicited the will of the
committee.
SENATOR COGHILL commented on the number of days that are
celebrated in commemoration of the military which shows that
Alaskans honor people who have served their country.
3:54:44 PM
SENATOR COGHILL moved to report HB 56, work order 31-LS0338\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note.
3:55:02 PM
CHAIR REVAK found no objection and HB 56 was reported from the
Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.