Laos, Hmong Author Lauds U.S. Congressional Action on Veterans’ Bill

”This legislation, if enacted, will allow them to rest eternally near other veterans of that war. This will provide dignified recognition of their important and unique role in U.S. military history," Dr. Jane Hamilton-Merritt stated.

Online PR News – 30-July-2010 – Washington, D.C., Madison and Green Bay, Wisconsin, Minneapolis & St. Paul, Minnesota and Fresno, California, June 31, 2010

U.S. Congressional action in support of Lao and Hmong veterans was lauded by noted Southeast Asia scholar, author and human rights advocate Dr. Jane Hamilton-Merritt.

On Tuesday, legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by the Honorable Jim Costa (D-Central Valley, CA) to seek to grant burial benefits to Lao and Hmong veterans who served in combat during the Vietnam War in defense of the Royal Kingdom of Laos and U.S. military and clandestine forces.

"Providing burial benefits in our national cemeteries for the surviving Lao Hmong veterans is a most meaningful way to honor the extreme sacrifices made by the Lao Hmong soldiers who were the backbone of the U.S. military effort in the Lao theater of the Vietnam War,” said Dr. Jane Hamilton-Merritt.

This legislation, if enacted, will allow them to rest eternally near other veterans of that war. This will provide dignified recognition of their important and unique role in U.S. military history," Hamilton-Merritt said.

Dr. Jane Hamilton-Merritt has undertaken countless trips to Lao and Hmong refugees in Southeast Asia and has repeatedly testified in the U.S. Congress about the plight of the Lao Hmong people. She is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee for her humanitarian and human rights work on behalf of the Lao and Hmong.

Over the years, Dr. Jane Hamilton-Merritt worked with Members of Congress on this important veteran's issue. http:///www.tragicmountains.org

In 2009-10, she was again honored and recognized by the Lao Veterans of America Institute and Lao Veterans of America, Inc., and others, in Washington, D.C. and Fresno, California, for her important work on behalf of the Lao and Hmong people as well as to mark the 15th anniversary of the publication of her book “Tragic Mountains: The Hmong, The Americans and the Secret Wars for Laos.”

The historic legislation, House Resolutin 5879 (HR 5879) , was introduced by U.S. Representatives Jim Costa (D-CA), Devin Nunes (R-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA), Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), Tim Holden (D-PA), Frank Wolf (R-VA), Bill Delahunt (D-MA), Steve Kagen (D-WI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Joesph Cao (R-LA), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Jim Langevin (D-RI), Mike Honda (D-CA), Sue Myrick (R-NC), Patrick McHenry (R-NC), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Collin Peterson (D-MN), and others.

“Our Hmong veterans fought shoulder-to-shoulder with American soldiers during the Vietnam war,” stated U.S. Congressman Jim Costa.

“Many paid the ultimate sacrifice… Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to these patriotic individuals and their service should be honored with burial benefits in our National Cemeteries,” Costa said.

“We are happy and pleased… that if enacted, the legislation would provide full veterans burial benefits in American National Cemeteries to Lao Hmong veterans who served in support of U.S. forces in the Kingdom of Laos during the Vietnam War,” said Colonel Wangyee Vang, National President and founder of the Lao Veterans of America Institute (LVAI). http://www.media-newswire.com/release_1123225.html

“… we are very grateful to U.S. Congressman Costa and his colleagues in the U.S. Congress who have worked so very hard to help to make this legislation a reality and introduce it,” Vang commented.

Colonel Vang concluded: “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; We fought side-by-side with American forces and clandestine troops of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in defense of the Royal Kingdom of Laos and the United States.” http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100728006607/en/Laos-Hmong-Veterans-Vietnam-War-Honored-Congress

“Clearly, U.S. Congressman Jim Costa’s bipartisan leadership, along with his colleagues in the U.S. Congress, in support of the Lao and Hmong veterans and their families across America, gives hope and dignity to the plight of the Lao and Hmong community and the veterans who seek to be buried with honor in America’s National Veterans Cemeteries,” said Philip Smith, Director of the Washington, D.C.-based CPPA. http://centerforpublicpolicyanalysis.org

Earlier this year, and in previous years, national memorial and policy events were conducted at Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Congress by the Lao Veterans of America, Inc., Lao Veterans of America Institute, Counterparts, Inc., Center for Public Policy Analysis, Hmong Advance, Inc., Hmong Advancement, Inc. in cooperation with other organizations and Members of the U.S. Congress. http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100608007501&newsLang=en


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Bill Would Honor Hmong Veterans at Burial

A military funeral honors those who served this country. But right now, Hmong veterans can not be buried at National Cemeteries. If a proposed bill becomes law, thousands who put their life at risk to help American soldiers would finally be honored.

By Norma Yuriar

Fresno, Calif. (KMPH News) — Two friends in combat lay next to each other at Fresno's Mountain View Cemetery, one American and one Hmong. A burial like this is only possible at private cemeteries, at National Cemeteries it's out of the question.

"We have no right to go there," Hmong Veteran Wangyee Vang said.

But, that could soon change. Valley Congressman Jim Costa introduced a bill Tuesday that would recognize Hmong soldiers as American servicemen and provide them the same burial benefits in National Cemeteries.

"They lost their country fighting for us," Vietnam veteran Keith Rudolf said. "What are we supposed to do, turn our backs?"

Vang and about 6,900 other Hmong soldiers who served in support of U.S. forces in the Vietnam War – are still alive today. At the age of 63, Vang is now head of Fresno's Lao Veterans of America. Vang says it's urgent the bill become law. Many of the Hmong soldiers that survived the war are now elderly.

"Here in the central valley, Fresno alone, sometimes 2 or 3 people at the same time pass away," Vang said.

"It's a sad issue that has to be brought up" Rudolf said. "I mean it's not a huge number. We are not going to crowd anybody else out of our cemeteries, so why don't we honor the people that fought for us."

The military color guard and burial squad from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8900 honors Hmong veterans.

"Yes, that's as far as we can go to honor our comrades," Rudolf said. "I call them comrades because I feel like they fought on the field of war with us, they helped us. I call them comrades."

Vang says it took ten years to pass a law that now recognizes Hmong veterans as U.S. citizens. He hopes this time things will move a lot faster. According to Lao Veterans of American, about 500 Hmong veterans live in Fresno. Vang says many of them are sixty years old and older.

The closest national cemetery is the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella. It's nearly ninety miles outside Fresno.

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Bill would give burial rights to Hmong veterans

FRESNO, Calif.—Members of the country's Hmong community who fought with U.S. forces during the Vietnam War would be eligible for burial in national cemeteries under a bill introduced by a Fresno congressman.

Hmong groups say legislation like the bill Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, introduced Tuesday is long overdue and would give them the recognition they deserve.

"It means a great deal to the community," said Bao Vang, president and chief executive of the Hmong American Partnership, a Minnesota-based community development organization. "Hmong lost many lives due to the war."

The Hmong are an ethnic minority from the mountains of Laos. Thousands of Hmong soldiers fought under CIA advisers—an effort that was not acknowledged publicly by American officials for years—during the war to back a pro-American Lao government. A communist victory in 1975 forced them to flee, with many going to Thailand and the United States.

Census figures show more than 65,000 Hmong live in California, including 48,000 in Fresno. Other large Hmong communities are in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

"Our Hmong veterans fought shoulder to shoulder with American soldiers during the Vietnam War," Costa said in a statement. "Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to these patriotic individuals, and their service should be honored with burial benefits in our national cemeteries."

About 6,900 Hmong around the country would be eligible for the burial privileges if the bill passed, according to Costa. The Department of Veterans Affairs would have to verify their service.

Costa said he was able to finally introduce the bill after garnering the support of 22 other members of Congress, who co-sponsored it.

Will Crain, a spokesman for Costa, acknowledged that time was quickly running out to pass the bill in the current session.

"Looking at the legislative calendar, there's not a huge timeframe under which to move this," he said. "But we're going to continue to build support for it."

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Laos, Hmong Veterans Burial Bill Spearheaded By Jim Costa to Honor Veterans, Community

"We are very grateful to U.S. Congressman Jim Costa and his colleagues in the U.S. Congress who have worked so very hard to help to make this legislation a reality and introduce it in the U.S. Congress today," said Colonel Wangyee Vang, National President and founder of the Lao Veterans of America Institute and Lao Veterans of America, Inc.

(Media-Newswire.com) - Washington, D.C., and Fresno, California, July 27, 2010 - U.S. Congressman Jim Costa ( D-CA ) and a bipartisan coalition of 22 Members of Congress have introduced legislation today in Washington, D.C., to honor Laotian and Hmong Veterans in the Central Valley of California and across the United States. The historic legislation would provide burial benefits in National Cemeteries to Hmong Veterans who served in support of U.S. forces in the Vietnam War.

“Our Hmong Veterans fought shoulder to shoulder with American soldiers during the Vietnam war,” said U.S. Congressman Jim Costa.

Congressman Costa continued: “Many paid the ultimate sacrifice and I am proud that Hmong Veterans now call places like our Valley home. Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to these patriotic individuals and their service should be honored with burial benefits in our National Cemeteries.”

“U.S. Congressman Costa’s bipartisan leadership, along with his colleagues in the U.S. Congress, in support of the Lao and Hmong veterans and their families across the United States gives hope and dignity the plight of the Lao Hmong community and the veterans who seek to be buried with honor in America’s National Veterans Cemeteries,” said Philip Smith, Executive Director of the Center for Public Policy Analysis. Smith also serves as the Washington, D.C. Director for the Lao Veterans of America, Inc., the nation’s largest Laotian and Hmong veterans organization.

“We are very grateful to U.S. Congressman Jim Costa and his colleagues in the U.S. Congress who have worked so very hard to help to make this legislation a reality and introduce it in the U.S. Congress today,” said Colonel Wangyee Vang, National President and founder of the Lao Veterans of America Institute and Lao Veterans of America, Inc. which is headquartered in Fresno, California.

“This important and historic new legislation will make our Laotian and Hmong-American veterans and the Lao-Hmong community in the United States very pleased and happy,” Colonel Wangyee Vang continued. “Our Laotian and Hmong veterans and their refugee families across the United States are honored and deeply grateful for the potential opportunity this legislation affords to be buried in U.S. National Cemeteries along with the American veterans we helped to defend and save during the Vietnam War; We fought side by side with American soldiers and clandestine troops of the Central Intelligence Agency in defense of the United States and in defense of the Royal Kingdom of Laos and America.”

In May of this year, the Lao Veterans of America, Inc., the Lao Veterans of America Institute, the Center for Public Policy Analysis, Counterparts, Inc., Hmong Advance, Inc. and Hmong Advancement, Inc. held ceremonies in Arlington National Cemetery with the U.S. Department of Defense to honor Lao and Hmong veterans and their American advisers who served in Laos during the Vietnam War.
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Contact:

Ms. Maria Gomez or Philip Smith
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Colonel Wangyee Vang
Lao Veterans of America Institute
( 559 )252-3921

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Bill would allow Hmong veterans' burial in national cemeteries

WASHINGTON — As the years went by and more Hmong war veterans passed with them, Charlie Waters attended funerals and read eulogies for the oft-forgotten allies in the U.S. war in Southeast Asia.

Now, after years of lobbying and with the help of California lawmakers who introduced a bill Tuesday to make some 6,900 Hmong veterans eligible for internment in U.S. national cemeteries, Waters may soon address the Hmong at their proper burial grounds.

"It's been a long time coming," said Waters, judge advocate for the American Legion in the Central Valley and legislative adviser for the Special Guerrilla Units veterans. Elated and emotionally stirred by the proposed bill, some Hmong "are hardly able to talk today," Waters said.

Hmong veterans, who fought alongside the CIA and U.S. Special Forces during the Vietnam War, have long sought to gain access to those hallowed grounds. Now, more than 30 years after participating in a covert operation in the mountains of Laos, the Hmong likely will be honored by Congress and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for their service.

"Our Hmong veterans fought shoulder to shoulder with American soldiers during the Vietnam War," said Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, who introduced the bill. "Many paid the ultimate sacrifice, and I am proud that Hmong veterans now call places like our Valley home. Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to these patriotic individuals and their service should be honored with burial benefits in our national cemeteries."

Leaders of the Hmong community say that winning the burial rights demonstrates a U.S. commitment to give the estimated tens of thousands of Hmong and Lao who died in the war and the remaining veterans the recognition they deserve.

"If we're able to get something like that (proposed bill) in place, it means a great deal to the community," said Bao Vang, president and chief executive of the Hmong American Partnership, a Minnesota-based community development organization that is supporting the legislation. "Hmong lost many lives due to the war. There's not that many Hmong veterans remaining. ... This is definitely a step in the right direction."

According to the 2000 Census, more than 65,000 Hmong live in California, including some 48,000 in Fresno. Other large Hmong communities in the U.S. are in Minnesota, with 45,930, and Wisconsin, with 31,578.

"We just kind of abandoned those folks when we left Vietnam. They came here; they didn't ask for anything," Waters said.

With the help of 22 co-sponsors, Costa said he had garnered enough support in Congress to finally propose the legislation. Though he expects the bill to pass, Costa said he'll need to educate his fellow members of Congress about the story of the Hmong veterans.

Part of that lesson is to understand the monumental sacrifices Hmong veterans made to help the U.S. fight communist North Vietnam, Waters said.

"So many of the young congressmen don't understand ... so many of them are not Vietnam-era people," Waters said. "These people ... they gave up everything. The least we can do is honor them."

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