III

Calendar No. 243

107TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 88

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

NOVEMBER 14, 2001

Received and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

NOVEMBER 29, 2001

Reported by Mr. LEAHY, without amendment

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Congress that the President

should issue a proclamation to recognize the contribution

of the Lao-Hmong in defending freedom and democracy

and supporting the goals of Lao-Hmong Recognition

Day.

Whereas the Lao-Hmong, which means ‘‘free people’’, are

Laotian members of the Hmong tribe and are noted for

their warrior tradition, loyalty, and bravery;

Whereas beginning in 1960 the United States recruited thousands of the Lao-Hmong to fight against the Communist

Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese Army regulars in

Laos;
2

HCON 88 RS

Whereas the United States relied heavily on the Lao-Hmong

Special Guerrilla Units to engage in direct combat with

North Vietnamese troops from 1960 to 1975;

Whereas the Lao-Hmong conducted tactical guerrilla actions,

flew thousands of deadly combat missions in support of

the Armed Forces and the Central Intelligence Agency,

and fought in conventional and guerrilla combat clashes

with extreme casualties;

Whereas the Lao-Hmong, although outnumbered, fought

against enemy forces to disrupt the flow of troops and

war supplies along the Ho Chi Minh Trail;

Whereas the Lao-Hmong protected United States personnel,

guarded United States Air Force radar installations,

gathered critical intelligence about enemy operations, and

undertook rescue missions to save the lives of downed

United States pilots;

Whereas more than 35,000 of the Lao-Hmong lost their lives

defending the democratic way of life, and many more

were seriously injured and disabled;

Whereas thousands of Lao-Hmong suffered grievous injuries

and permanent disabilities, and thousands more were

captured and sent to Communist concentration camps;

Whereas after the conclusion of the war, many Lao-Hmong

soldiers were the victims of acts of retribution and atrocities by the Pathet Lao, causing many of the Lao-Hmong

to flee to neighboring Thailand and become refugees; and

Whereas beginning with the City Council of Golden, Colorado, in 1995, various State and local governments have

issued proclamations declaring July 22 as Lao-Hmong

Recognition Day, and the issuance of a Presidential proclamation supporting the goals of Lao-Hmong Recognition
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Day would recognize the bravery, sacrifice, and loyalty to

the United States exhibited by the Lao-Hmong in Southeast Asia: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that the

3 President should issue a proclamation—

4 (1) supporting the goals of Lao-Hmong Rec5 ognition Day; and

6 (2) calling on the people of the United States

7 to recognize the service and sacrifice of the men and

8 women of the Lao-Hmong with appropriate cere9 monies and activities.

Passed the House of Representatives November 13,

2001.

Attest: JEFF TRANDAHL,

Clerk.
Calendar No. 243

107TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 88

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Congress that the

President should issue a proclamation to recognize the contribution of the Lao-Hmong in defending freedom and democracy and supportingthe goals of Lao-Hmong Recognition Day.

NOVEMBER 29, 2001

Reported without amendment