BILL ANALYSIS
HR 33
Page 1
Date of Hearing: August 12, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Paul J. Cook, Chair
HR 33 (Jones) - As Introduced: August 4, 2010
SUBJECT : Relative to Vietnam War era Hmong soldiers.
SUMMARY : Requests the Congress of the United States to pass,
and the President to sign, House Resolution 5879, which would
authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to inter in national
cemeteries individuals who served in combat support of the Armed
Services of the United States in the Kingdom of Laos from 1961
to 1975; and that copies of this resolution to the President and
Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, the President pro Tempore of the United States
Senate, and each Senator and Representative from California in
the Congress of the United States.
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS : In 1961, when the Vietnam War officially started,
another war was also waged. This war was known as the Secret War
and took place in Laos. The countries involved in the Secret War
were the United State, Thailand, Laos, and North Vietnam. The
United States was the first country to send soldiers into the
region to help the fight against communism. Unfamiliar with the
terrain, language, and culture they faced a daunting challenge.
Thus, they recruited the Hmong and trained, paid, and provided
military weapons to them; for the purpose of engagement in
guerrilla warfare against the North Vietnamese. The Hmong are an
ethnic minority from the mountains of Laos.
Officers from the Central Intelligence Agency's Special
Activities Division trained and led Hmong men in Laos and into
Vietnam for special combat activities. These indigenous forces
numbered in the tens of thousands and they conducted direct
missions against the Communist forces and their North Vietnamese
supporters, fighting shoulder to shoulder with US soldiers.
Since the end of the conflict in Vietnam, thousands of Hmong
families have resettled in many areas around the United States.
As a result of the Executive Order signed by President Ford,
today they are legal permanent residents or United States
Citizens. Census figures show more than 65,000 Hmong live in
HR 33
Page 2
California, including 48,000 in Fresno. About 6,900 Hmong around
the country would be eligible for the burial privileges if the
federal legislation is passed. The Department of Veterans
Affairs would have to verify their service.
Currently, burial benefits are available to veterans and Members
of the US Armed Services, their spouses and dependants, Reserve
Officers, Public Health Service Officers, Merchant Mariners from
World War II, and the Philippine Armed Forces. This resolution
urges the United States Congress and the President of the United
State to pass legislation would add one more category of
individuals eligible for internment in National Cemeteries.
However, the federal legislation is written narrowly enough so
as not to grant these individuals full veteran status, just
internment benefits in National Cemeteries.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
Hmong Women's Heritage Association
Lao Veterans of America, Incorporated
Southeast Asia Resource Action Center
Southeast Asian Assistance Center
Stone Soup Fresno
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Eric Worthen / V. A. / (916) 319-3550