Amended in Assembly June 15, 2015

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 57

Introduced by Senator Pan

May 5, 2015

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 57—Relative to Hmong History Month.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SCR 57, as amended, Pan. Hmong History Month.

This measure would recognize the begin delete amount end delete begin insert month end insert of September 2015 as Hmong History Month, urge all citizens to join in celebrating the accomplishments of the Hmong people during Hmong History Month, and encourage the people of California to recognize the many talents, achievements, and contributions that the Hmong people bring to begin delete their communities. end delete begin insert communities in this state. end insert

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, The history of the Hmong people here in the United
States, as well as throughout the ages, is indeed unique and vibrant,
and it is appropriate to celebrate this history during the month of
September 2015, which has been recognized as Hmong History
Month; and

WHEREAS, The Lao-Hmong, or free people, are greatly
respected and admired for their dedicated service and valiant
support of the United States Armed Forces and its allies during
the Vietnam begin delete war; end delete begin insert War; end insert and

WHEREAS, Many Lao-Hmong served in the “Secret Army,”
which was funded by the begin delete CIA end delete begin insert United States Central Intelligence
Agency end insert and included Special Guerilla begin delete units end delete begin insert Units end insert and other begin delete Special
Forces, end delete begin insert special forces, end insert to thwart the Pathet Lao and North
Vietnamese Army in Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand from 1960 to
1975; and

WHEREAS, The members of this Laotian hill tribe are known
for their warrior traditions, loyalty, and bravery, as evidenced by
their contributions to guarding United States personnel and Air
Force radar installations, gathering critical intelligence on enemy
movement and operations, performing rescue missions to save
downed United States pilots, and fighting in conventional and
guerilla combat against overwhelming forces, including several
North Vietnamese divisions, to disrupt the flow of troops and
supplies along the Ho Chi Minh Trail; and

WHEREAS, A conservative estimate of over 35,000 brave
Lao-Hmong men, women, and children lost their lives; more than
50,000 were wounded; and more than 2,500 are missing in action;
and

WHEREAS, These numbers do not include the devastating loss
of 30,000 lives when the Lao-Hmong fell victim to retributive
ethnic cleansing starting in 1975 and continuing to this day, nor
the thousands forced into reeducation camps or who perished
attempting to cross the Mekong River into Thailand; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the devastation to their homes and
way of life, thousands of Lao-Hmong soldiers and their families
became a countryless people when they commenced their perilous
flight to seek safe refuge in other countries, such as Argentina,
Canada, China, France, Japan, New Zealand, and the United
States--a mass exodus that continues to this day; and

WHEREAS, The Lao-Hmong’s heroic and significant
contributions to the United States during their fighting efforts in
Laos and the positive influence they have since had upon the
American way of life will not be forgotten; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature takes great pleasure in
recognizing the begin delete amount end delete begin insert month end insert of September 2015 as Hmong
History Month, extends deep appreciation to the Hmong men,
women, and children who served the United States with loyalty
and bravery, urges all citizens to join in celebrating the
accomplishments of the Hmong people during Hmong History
Month, and encourages the people of California to recognize the
many talents, achievements, and contributions that the Hmong
people bring to our communities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.