Some Good News.
In late July 2010, legislation was introduced in
the House of Representatives that would, if enacted, grant burial rights to Lao Hmong veterans at National Veterans Cemeteries
across this country.
Rep. Jim Costa of California, along
with 22 other Members of Congress,
introduced
HOUSE RESOLUTION 5879 which seeks to open our National Veterans Cemeteries to individuals who supported the U. S. in Laos during the Vietnam War
era.
According to Costa, “Many [Hmong] paid the ultimate sacrifice....Our
nation owes a debt of gratitude to those patriotic individuals and their service should be honored with burial benefits in
our National Cemeteries.”
Colonel Wangyee Vang, National
President and founder of the Lao Veterans of American Institute who, for years, has worked with Members
of Congress on this legislation. said: “Our Laotian and Hmong veterans and their refugee families across the United
States are honored and deeply grateful for the potential opportunity to be buried in U.S. National Cemeteries along with
the American veterans we helped to defend and save during the Vietnam War. “
This bill offers a wonderful opportunity for the Hmong American community and for others
who want to
honor the sacrifices of those who fought in the Lao theater of the Vietnam War.
Alert
your Congressional Representatives to
H.R. 5879:
Ask them to sign on to this proposed legislation.
In
my view this legislation, if enacted, will allow the surviving Hmong veterans to rest eternally near other veterans of the
Vietnam War. This will provide dignified recognition of their important and unique role in U.S. military
history.
Acknowledgment and thanks must
be made to the following Members of Congress who, over the years, have worked diligently on this issue:
Mr. Jim COSTA (CA), Mr. Dennis CARDOZA (CA), Mr. Michael HONDA (CA), Mr. Steve KAGEN (WI), Mr. James LANGEVIN
(RI), Mr. Tim Holden (PA), Ms. Madeleine BORDALLO (Guam), Mr. Patrick KENNEDY (RI), Mr. Ron KIND (WI), Mr. Bill DELAHUNT
(MA), Mr. Pedro PIERLUISI (Puerto Rico), Mr. Collin PETERSON (MN), Ms. Tammy BALDWIN (WI), Mr. Pete STARK (CA), Mr. Jerry
MCNERNEY (CA), Mr. Devin NUNES (CA), Mr. Frank WOLF (VA), Mr. George RADANOVICH (CA), Mr. Patrick MCHENRY (NC), Mr. Joesph
CAO (LA), Mrs. Sue MYRICK (NC), Mr. Thaddeus MCCOTTER (MI), Mr. Tom PETRI (WI).
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