Alaska House Majority

  • HOME
  • PRESS
    • Rep. Claman
    • Rep. Edgmon
    • Rep. Drummond
    • Rep. Foster
    • Rep. Johnston
    • Rep. Josephson
    • Rep. Lincoln
    • Rep. Lebon
    • Rep. Kopp
    • Rep. Knopp
    • Rep. Ortiz
    • Rep. Spohnholz
    • Rep. Stutes
    • Rep. Story
    • Rep. Tarr
    • Rep. Thompson
    • Rep. Tuck
    • Rep. Wool
    • Rep. Zulkosky
  • NEWSLETTERS
    • Rep. Claman’s Alaska Matters
    • Speaker Edgmon’s Newsletter
    • The Drummond Dispatch
    • Rep. Josephson’s Newsletter
    • Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins’ Newsletter
    • Rep. Stutes’ Newsletter
    • Rep. Lincoln’s Dist. 40 Newsletter
    • Rep. Wool’s Newsletter
    • Rep. Tarr’s Times
    • Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky
    • Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection
    • Rep. Ortiz’s Newsletter
    • Rep. Spohnholz’s The Spohnholz Standard
  • MEMBERS
    • Rep. Matt Claman
    • Rep. Bryce Edgmon
    • Rep. Neal Foster
    • Rep. Zack Fields
    • Rep. Grier Hopkins
    • Rep. Sara Hannan
    • Rep. Jennifer Johnston
    • Rep. Andy Josephson
    • Rep. Gary Knopp
    • Rep. Chuck Kopp
    • Rep. Jonathan Kreiss Tomkins
    • Rep. Bart LeBon
    • Rep. John Lincoln
    • Rep. Harriet Drummond
    • Rep. Dan Ortiz
    • Rep. Ivy Spohnholz
    • Rep. Louise Stutes
    • Rep. Andi Story
    • Rep. Geran Tarr
    • Rep. Steve Thompson
    • Rep. Chris Tuck
    • Rep. Adam Wool
    • Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky

House of Representatives passes bill to establish Hmong-American Veterans Day

  • Press Rep. Geran Tarr

H.B. 56 honors underrecognized group that played an important role in the Vietnam War
JUNEAU – The Alaska House of Representatives on Monday passed legislation to establish May 15 as Hmong-American Veterans Day in recognition of the Hmong people who fought alongside the United States during the Vietnam War.

Beginning in the 1960s, the U.S. government recruited Hmong to help fight against communism. After the U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam, Hmong people became targets, and many were displaced from their home countries. There are an estimated 260,000 Hmong-Americans today, including approximately 3,500 in Alaska.

The U.S. government promised Hmong veterans citizenship and veteran status after the war, but it’s taken more than 50 years for them to receive what they were promised. Their important contributions have often been overlooked.

House Bill 56, sponsored by Rep. Geran Tarr, celebrates and honors the Hmong who were lost, acknowledges the sacrifices they made to this country, and brings pride to their families. The bill passed 38-to-1 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

“On behalf of Hmong veterans in Alaska and their families, thank you to the House for their support of H.B. 56. I am proud, as are other Hmong veterans, of our service alongside American soldiers,” said Pasert Lee of Mountain View, who is a Hmong veteran. “This annual recognition will allow us an official acknowledgment of service.”

“Many in my generation have received tribute for our service, but this legislation is important as it makes sure Hmong veterans are also honored and recognized for their critical contributions,” said Rep. Laddie Shaw, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL who served in the Vietnam War.

“I was moved and honored that Representative Shaw would lend his words of support for H.B. 56. I thank all veterans for their service, and my colleagues for supporting this important bill,” Representative Tarr said.

Find Us on Facebook

Rep. Bryce Edgmon

Speaker of the House

Toll-Free +1 800 898-4451
Session Contact
State Capitol Room 208
Juneau AK, 99801 
Phone: 907-465-4451
Fax: 907-465-3445
Interim Contact
1500 W. Benson Blvd.
Anchorage AK, 99501-2133 
Phone: 907-269-0275
Fax: 907-269-0274

Find Us on Facebook

Phone

Phone: 907-465-4451
Fax: 907-465-3445

Address

State Capitol Room 208
Juneau AK, 99801

Copyright Alaska House Majority 2020