Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
01/27/2022 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB167 | |
| HJR16 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 167 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HJR 16 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HJR 16-HMONG VETERANS MILITARY RIGHTS
4:58:28 PM
CHAIR SHOWER announced the consideration of HOUSE JOINT
RESOLUTION NO. 16 Encouraging the United States Congress to pass
legislation granting the Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War
access to the same veteran benefits received by United States
veterans.
He opined that many Americans do not understand or appreciate
the service the Hmong people provided during the Vietnam War. He
noted that Vietnam veteran Representative Laddie Shaw saw half
of his college class die in Vietnam. The point is that many of
the Hmong who served in combat alongside U.S. service members
put their lives on the line and saved an uncalculated number of
lives. They were fierce warriors who served with distinction.
4:59:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID NELSON, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of HJR 16, introduced the legislation reading
the following sponsor statement:
[Original punctuation provided.]
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 the United States
veterans.
In the 1960's over 100,000 Hmong soldiers were
recruited by the United States Central Intelligence
Agency to help the United States soldiers in the fight
against communism. The Hmong warriors fought to
intercept and prevent the flow of troops and supplies
along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, and approximately 40,000
were killed as they supported and protected United
States Armed Forces during combat missions.
The Hmong warriors were heavily outnumbered,
however continued to fight, gather critical
intelligence about enemy operations, and continued to
undertake rescue missions to save the lives of downed
United States pilots.
The Hmong soldiers suffered acts of retribution
and atrocities at the hand of the Pathet Lao and North
Vietnamese causing many to flee to Thailand. These
soldiers became refugees because the United States
government encouraged them to fight on behalf of the
United States.
The Hmong people fought bravely in what was
called the "Secret War", and for their loyalty were
promised access to the same veteran benefits as those
received by the United States veterans. The Hmong
people have put their faith and trust in the United
States government, and we are requesting that the
promises made to those who risked everything for our
country be honored. We must recognize how much the
Hmong veterans gave and lost for our country and
support HJR 16.
5:01:49 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND requested more specific details on the benefits
he was requesting.
REPRESENTATIVE NELSON replied Hmong veterans have recently been
granted the option to be buried at national cemeteries and the
resolution is requesting veteran affairs benefits including
hospital access and being allowed on military bases to shop at
the Post Exchange (PX).
CHAIR SHOWER opined that the nation should keep the promises it
makes to people who are asked to serve alongside the U.S.
military. That has not always happened and that needs to change
because it has created an environment of mistrust.
He asked Representative Shaw if he would like to talk about what
he saw during the Vietnam War and why this is important.
5:04:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LADDIE SHAW, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, stated that as a Navy SEAL during the Vietnam War he
served in the Mekong Delta and the Hmong community was his
lifeline. He continued to state:
When we went out to gather intel, we seldom went out
without a Hmong soldier with us. They would even
convince the Viet Cong to turn over and be a Kit
Carsen scout for us to benefit our intel gathering.
And as was noted, the amount of Hmong soldiers that
gave their lives, the retribution as we were leaving
in 1975, probably took just as many family lives by
the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese as soldiers
that were lost.
When I was director of the Division of Veterans
Affairs back in my state employment days, we spent
about two years to get benefits for the Alaska
Territorial Guard. Talk about soldiers forgotten;
these were men who left their families at 14 or 15
years old to serve their country and to sacrifice
basically for their homeland the coast of Alaska. And
we ended up getting full military and veteran's
benefits for the Alaska Territorial Guard. We were
able to bring together their time as Territorial
Guardsmen and some active duty time that they had put
with the National Guard. And one of our individuals,
Sam Herman, was 74 years old when he finally got a
retired military ID card. The emotions to this day
were absolutely overwhelming.
REPRESENTATIVE SHAW said we gave benefits to one group of people
that sacrificed for this country and we should do it for the
Hmong people who are just as if not more deserving. He thanked
the committee for the opportunity to comment.
CHAIR SHOWER noted that public testimony was not noticed for the
bill and asked committee members if it was permissible to waive
public testimony and move the bill today.
SENATOR COSTELLO offered her belief that public testimony could
be opened and closed after discerning whether or not anyone
wanted to testify. She added that the committee could take a
brief at ease and ask those who may know.
CHAIR SHOWER said he wanted this to be transparent and follow
the rules.
5:08:04 PM
At ease
5:09:47 PM
CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting. He explained that he called
the at ease to check on procedures to ensure he was following
the rules to move the resolution.
He asked the sponsor if he had closing comments.
5:09:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE NELSON drew attention to the support and oppose
letters in the packets. He said the Hmong community in Alaska
has written many letters in enthusiastic support of the
resolution. It is extremely meaningful to the Hmong veterans who
served during the Vietnam War. He noted the supporting letters
include some personal stories.
CHAIR SHOWER noted that he mentioned support and oppose, but he
saw no letters in opposition to the resolution.
REPRESENTATIVE NELSON clarified that there were no letters in
opposition to HJR 16.
CHAIR SHOWER mentioned the zero fiscal note.
REPRESENTATIVE NELSON agreed.
5:11:10 PM
CHAIR SHOWER restated that moving HJR 16 was not planned but
"everybody agrees that's the best course of action." He
solicited a motion.
SENATOR COSTELLO moved to report HJR 16, work order 32-LS0795\B,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero
fiscal note(s).
5:11:31 PM
CHAIR SHOWER found no objection and HJR 16 was reported from the
Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 167.PDF |
SSTA 1/27/2022 3:30:00 PM |
SB 167 |
| HJR 16.PDF |
SSTA 1/27/2022 3:30:00 PM |
HJR 16 |
| SB0167A.PDF |
SSTA 1/27/2022 3:30:00 PM |
SB 167 |
| HB 286 - SB 167 Sectional Analysis - Final.pdf |
SSTA 1/27/2022 3:30:00 PM |
HB 286 SB 167 |
| SB167 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SSTA 1/27/2022 3:30:00 PM |
SB 167 |
| SB 167 List of testifiers.docx |
SSTA 1/27/2022 3:30:00 PM |
SB 167 |