Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/25/2025 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB43 | |
| SB40 | |
| SJR6 | |
| SJR10 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 43 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 40 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 10 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SJR 10-HMONG VETERANS; CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL
4:04:06 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of SENATE JOINT
RESOLUTION NO. 10 Encouraging the United States Congress to
award Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War the Congressional Gold
Medal.
4:04:35 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI, speaking as sponsor introduced SJR 10. He
stated that this resolution is a bipartisan companion to a House
bill that honors Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War. In 1960, the
CIA recruited tens of thousands Hmong soldiers, some as young as
11. He said the Hmong soldiers supported the U.S. forces through
intelligence, combat, and rescue missions, suffering casualties
at 10 times the U.S. rate. After the war, the Hmong soldiers
faced brutal persecution in Laos, forcing many to flee across
the Mekong River, where thousands died. He said Hmong survivors
that fled to Thailand lived in refugee camps before being
resettled in the U.S., including about 5,000 now in Alaska. SJR
10 urges Congress to recognize their sacrifice with a
Congressional Gold Medal.
4:07:53 PM
JOSHUA MCHOES, Staff, Senator Bill Wielechowski, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided a presentation on SJR 10
and moved to slide 3. He stated that the Hmong are an ethnic
group from China, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand who migrated to
Southeast Asia centuries ago. During the Vietnam War, the CIA
covertly recruited Hmong soldiers to fight North Vietnamese
forces in Laos. The Hmong soldiers disrupted supply lines,
gathered intelligence, and protected U.S. positions. He said
even though the Hmong soldiers were vastly outnumbered, the
Hmong soldiers showed remarkable bravery, including rescuing
downed American pilots.
4:08:40 PM
MR. MCHOES moved to slide 4 and said over 3500 Hmong soldiers
were killed and thousands wounded. The Hmong soldier deathrate
was 10 times higher than the U.S. troops. He said with the high
casualty rate, children as young as 12 were recruited to fight.
4:09:39 PM
MR. MCHOES moved to slide 5 and said after the U.S. withdrew in
1975, the Hmong faced brutal retaliation from the Laos
government. He said many Hmong soldiers were executed, sent to
camps or forced into the jungle.
4:10:11 PM
MR. MCHOES moved to slide 6, Hmong Integration into the U.S.
[Original punctuation provided.]
The U.S. accepted Hmong refugees, many of whom settled
in Alaska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and California.
Continued struggles with assimilation and cultural
preservation.
4:10:31 PM
MR. MCHOES moved to slide 7, Recognition and Hmong-American
Veterans Day.
[Original punctuation provided.]
1997: U.S. government formally recognized Hmong
contributions with the Laos Memorial in Arlington.
2019: Alaska established Hmong American Veterans Day
(May 15) to honor their sacrifices.
Ongoing efforts to secure official federal recognition
4:10:57 PM
MR. MCHOES moved to slide 8, The Push for the Congressional Gold
Medal.
[Original punctuation provided.]
U.S. allies, including Filipino WWII veterans, have
been honored with the Congressional Gold Medal. U.S.
Senator Gary C. Peters introduced S. 3271 The Hmong
Congressional Gold Medal Act in 2023, but it stalled
in committee. The medal is the highest civilian honor
in the U.S., requiring an act of Congress to be
awarded.
4:11:36 PM
MR. MCHOES moved to slide 10, What is the Congressional Gold
Medal.
[Original punctuation provided.]
Oldest civilian honor awarded by Congress.
Recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions
to U.S. history.
Each medal is unique and designed by the U.S. Mint.
One medal struck and put on display at location of
choice by honoree.
Bronze Replicas for sale by US Mint
4:12:06 PM
MR. MCHOES moved to slide 11, Congressional Gold Medal
Recipients.
[Original punctuation provided.]
Historically awarded to figures such as George
Washington and the Wright Brothers.
Recognized foreign allies, including Filipino WWII
veterans in 2016.
The Hmong's case is similarbravery, sacrifice, and an
unfulfilled promise from the U.S.
4:12:30 PM
MR. MCHOES moved to slide 12, Call to Action.
[Original punctuation provided.]
Why it matters: The Hmong veterans fought alongside
the U.S. but were never granted a worthy veteran
award.
Current status: Advocacy efforts continue to push for
Congressional action.
What you can do: Vote to move this resolution out of
committee and vote for it when it comes to the floor.
4:13:02 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced invited testimony on SJR 10.
4:13:37 PM
MAY RAMIREZ-XIONG, Chief Executive Officer CEO, Hmong Empowering
Advocating Reforming Together (H.E.A.R.T), Anchorage, Alaska,
testified by invitation and in support on SJR 10. She stated her
father was Colonel Xiong who served in the Secret War and
provided the following testimony:
[Original punctuation provided.]
We call the beautiful State of Alaska our home, and
today, I testify before you to advocate for a cause
that is deeply meaningful to the Hmong People: The
Resolution urging the U.S. Congress to award the Hmong
Veterans of the Vietnam War the Congressional Gold
Medal.
4:14:31 PM
MS. XIONG continued:
The Congressional Gold Medal represents the highest
form of national recognition for outstanding
achievements and contributions. Each medal honors
individuals, institutions, or events that have made a
significant impact. While these medals have
traditionally been awarded to military leaders,
humanitarians, and public servants, I believe it is
time to extend this honor to the Hmong veterans who
fought courageously alongside American forces.
Reflecting on my high school history classes, I
remember learning about the horrors of the Vietnam War
and the fear surrounding the draft. However, at that
time, I was unaware of the extensive involvement of my
people in neighboring countries, fighting to protect
those who were afraid to be recruited. The sacrifices
made by the Hmong People remain a mystery to many, as
the battle they fought in Laos is often referred to as
the "Secret War," orchestrated by the CIA - not taught
in history classes.
This Resolution honors the brave veterans who bravely
fought, but today, I am here to amplify the voices of
those who cannot speak for themselvesthe mothers,
wives, daughters, and children of the courageous men
and women who made immense sacrifices.
We owe them our profound gratitude. I often find
myself at a loss when it comes to repaying the debt
owed to our people who shed their blood in a conflict
that was not theirs to begin with. My heart aches for
those who lost their families, loved ones, and the
very essence of their lives in pursuit of A freedom
that was NOT yet known to them. If there's one thing I
can do, it's to share their stories and help recognize
their efforts. That their stories will not be
forgotten, and their sacrifices were NOT for nothing.
4:16:19 PM
MS. XIONG continued:
The statistics that you read here do not fully capture
the suffering endured by the Hmong people in the
aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal when the Lao
government executed genocide against the Hmong people.
Families were hunted like animals, and many were
affected by Agent Orange, with children paying the
ultimate price. To this day, they continue to plead
for assistance, yet their voices would often go
unheard.
The story of the Hmong people remains largely untold.
The sacrifices made by the Hmong People during the
Vietnam War are no less significant than those of
other allied forces recognized by Congress. As noted
in the Resolution, groups such as the Filipino World
War II Veterans have received the Congressional Gold
Medal for their bravery and sacrifices. Why should the
contributions of the Hmong people be seen as any less
important? Failing to pass this Resolution would be
both unjust and dismissive of the lives that were lost
in service to American soldiers during the Vietnam
War.
While this Resolution addresses the events surrounding
the sacrifices, it also serves as a reminder of the
Hmong People's story and their vital places in
American History.
So, if there is one thing you can do today, it's to
ask that you join me in advocating for the passage of
this Resolution to urge the U.S. Congress to honor the
Hmong Veterans of the Vietnam War with the
Congressional Gold Medal.
4:17:55 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI asked how the Alaska government would find all
the Hmong veterans.
4:18:23 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI answered this is not awarding a medal to
all Hmong veterans, it's a symbolic medal awarded to the Hmong
veterans acknowledging the sacrifices and service the Hmong
veterans made on behalf of the United States. He stated his
belief that it wouldn't be hard to find the remaining Hmong
veterans in Alaska.
4:19:06 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI opened public testimony on SJR 10; finding none,
he closed public testimony.
4:19:53 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI held SJR 10 in committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SJR 6.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 6 |
| SJR 6 Research ND Similar Resolution 1.30.25.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 6 |
| SJR 6 Research NC Similar Resolution 1.30.25.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 6 |
| SJR 6 Research MD Similar Resolution 1.30.25.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 6 |
| SJR 6 D.C. Statehood Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 6 |
| SJR6 Letter of Support Signed2-23-25(2).pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 6 |
| SB 40 Version N.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 40 |
| SB 40 Sponsor Statement version N.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 40 |
| SB 40 Sectional Analysis version N.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 40 |
| Fiscal.Note.SB 40.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 40 |
| SJR010A.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 10 |
| AWA SB Support.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
|
| SJR6-LEG-SESS-02-24-2025.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 6 |
| Hmong Veterans Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
|
| Hmong Resolution Presentation.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
|
| SB 40 Testimony- received as of 02.24.2025-compressed (1).pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 40 |
| SJR10-LEG-SESS-02-24-2025.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 10 |
| SJR 6 letter of Support2.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 6 |
| SJR 6 Letter of support 3.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 6 |
| SJR6 letter of support.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 6 |
| SJR 10 letters of support.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 10 |
| SB 40 letter of support.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 40 |
| SB 43 Letter of Support - Congresswoman Mary Peltola.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 43 |
| SJR 6 Letter of support 4.pdf |
SSTA 2/25/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 6 |