Legislature(2013 - 2014)CAPITOL 120
03/12/2013 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HCR4 | |
| HB59 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HCR 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 59 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HCR 4-HMONG-AMERICAN VETERANS DAY
1:08:18 PM
CO-CHAIR FOSTER announced that the first order of business would
be HCR 4, HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4 Proclaiming May 15
to be Hmong-American Veterans Memorial Day.
1:08:58 PM
DIRK MOFFATT, Staff, Representative Gabrielle LeDoux, Alaska
State Legislature, on behalf of Representative LeDoux, sponsor,
explained that HCR 4 would proclaim May 15 to be Hmong-American
Veterans Memorial Day. From 1960 to 1973 Hmong tribesmen
rescued downed American pilots and identified targets for
bombing missions while fighting against communist forces and
suffering heavy casualties. On May 15, 1997, the U.S.
government declassified its role in the war against the North
Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong communist forces in Laos, thus the
choice of May 15 as the day of commemoration. The Hmong
fighters are not recognized as veterans of the U.S. military and
are not eligible for benefits for their service; however, U.S.
Senator Lisa Murkowski introduced legislation that would allow
6,900 former Hmong soldiers living in the U.S. the right to be
buried in national cemeteries. Hmong are people of Southeast
Asia who live in the highlands of Laos, and who were recruited
by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to fight a guerilla war
against communist forces in Laos and North Vietnam, beginning in
the 1960s. Mr. Moffatt provided a short history of the Hmong
people and their long involvement in active support of U.S.
forces in Southeast Asia.
MR. MOFFATT explained that about 40,000 Hmong were killed,
50,000 were injured, and 3,000 are missing in action while
defending democracy, but because the U.S. war effort in Laos was
covert, accounts of these sacrifices remain untold. After the
war, thousands of Hmong were evacuated to Thailand to avoid
reprisals by the communist forces, but even so, hundreds of
thousands of Hmong families suffered atrocities and were forced
to flee their homeland. Approximately 50,000 Hmong veterans
reside in the U.S. and 150,000 Hmong children have graduated
from school, although little is taught about their honorable
service to the U.S. The passage of HCR 4 will increase
awareness of the important role Hmong have played in U.S.
history, and will recognize their sacrifice.
1:13:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD asked how many Hmong live in Alaska.
1:14:50 PM
STEVEN YANG said he was not sure how many Hmong families are in
Alaska, however, the parents in most families served in the
Vietnam War.
1:15:39 PM
ARTHUR YANG, Anchorage, Alaska, added that the total Hmong
population in Alaska is approximately 5,000.
MR. MOFFATT offered to research that issue further.
1:16:47 PM
PASART LEE provided statistics on the Hmong. He expressed his
hope that Americans will not forget about Hmong, and urged for
the passage of HCR 4.
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD pointed out that March 29th is Vietnam
Veterans Day and opined it would be appropriate to have special
recognition of Hmong veterans recognized along with the
activities of that day.
MR. MOFFATT explained that the reason May 15th was chosen is
that it is the day the U.S. government recognized the sacrifices
of the Hmong people. In further response to Representative
Reinbold, he said multiple veterans' recognition days are
acceptable.
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD said her concern is that multiple days
of recognition may dilute their impact.
1:21:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked about the current relationship
between Hmong living in Laos and their government.
MR. MOFFATT has heard that the Laotian government continues to
hunt down Hmong and their descendants that remain in hiding.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether this type of recognition
would ameliorate the circumstances of Hmong people still living
in Southeast Asia.
MR. MOFFATT opined the purpose of the resolution is recognition
in the U.S. for Hmong veterans and their contributions. He
pointed out that the general of the Hmong army that fought with
the U.S. was not allowed to be buried in Arlington National
Cemetery, and one special day is "the right thing to do."
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER observed that formal government
acknowledgment of sacrifice does have an impact and the
resolution might help.
1:26:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD agreed that formal recognition is good;
however, there are many groups that have made significant
sacrifices in many past wars that do not have a special day,
such as Alaska Natives, and she expressed her concern about
picking one group.
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX relayed that the name of the aforementioned
Hmong general was Vang Pao, and he led an army that fought
bravely for the U.S. during the Vietnam War.
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES confirmed that the resolution carries no
fiscal note. She opined additional days of recognition do not
dilute [recognition], but are beneficial in that they raise
awareness and understanding for Alaskans. Representative Hughes
estimated about 2 percent of the U.S. population of Hmong live
in Alaska, and said she would support HCR 4.
REPRESENTATIVE HIGGINS said he is aware of the help given by
Hmong to the U.S. Army Special Forces in Vietnam. He expressed
his belief this distinction and honor is appropriate for the
sacrifice of their lives and families, and urged passage of HCR
4. He asked whether any other states have designated a similar
memorial day.
MR. MOFFATT advised California has, along with several
municipalities.
1:31:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG noted that before redistricting he
represented the community of Mountain View, which has a high
population of Hmong. Hmong families are very highly education-
motivated, and provide much to the community through gardens and
businesses. As a co-sponsor, he would like to see the bill move
from committee.
1:32:48 PM
CO-CHAIR FOSTER opened public testimony on HCR 4.
MR. LEE expressed his support for federal legislation, "Lao
Hmong Veterans' Burial Honors Act" U.S. House of Representatives
House Resolution 3192.
MR. ARTHUR YANG expressed his support for HCR 4.
MR. STEVEN YANG expressed his support for HCR 4.
1:34:40 PM
CO-CHAIR FOSTER, after ascertaining that no one else wished to
testify, closed public testimony on HCR 4.
1:35:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES moved to report HCR 4 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, HCR 4 was reported from the
House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
[Later in the meeting, Co-Chair Foster noted written testimony
on HCR 4 from Dr. Chang would be accepted.]