A HOUSE RESOLUTION HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE HMONG‑LAO VETERANS OF THE LAOTIAN ARMY IN DEFENDING FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY ON THE THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THEir departure from THEIR COUNTRY.
Whereas, the Hmong‑Lao are noted for their warrior tradition, loyalty, and bravery; and
Whereas, beginning in 1960, the United States recruited thousands of the Hmong‑Lao to fight against the Communist Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese Army regulars in Laos; and
Whereas, the United States relied heavily on the Hmong‑Lao Special Guerrilla Units to engage in direct combat with North Vietnamese troops from 1960 to 1975; and
Whereas, the Hmong‑Lao 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; and
Whereas, the Hmong‑Lao, although outnumbered, fought against enemy forces to disrupt the flow of troops and war supplies along the Ho Chi Minh Trail; and
Whereas, the Hmong‑Lao 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; and
Whereas, the Hmong‑Lao fought against the Communist North Vietnamese who used Laos's territories to invade South Vietnam and the American troops; and
Whereas, more than 35,000 of the Hmong‑Lao soldiers, 46,000 high‑ranking Lao officers, government officials, and police lost their lives defending the democratic way of life, and many more were seriously injured, disabled, or died in the reeducation camp (prison); and
Whereas, thousands of Hmong‑Lao suffered grievous injuries and permanent disabilities, and thousands more were captured and sent to Communist concentration camps; and
Whereas, after the conclusion of the war, many Hmong‑Lao soldiers were the victims of acts of retribution and atrocities by the Pathet Lao, causing many of the Hmong‑Lao to flee to neighboring Thailand and become refugees; and
Whereas, the Hmong‑Lao are deserving of recognition and acknowledgement for their bravery, sacrifice, and loyalty to the United States exhibited by their people in Southeast Asia; and
Whereas, Colonel Khoua Vang represented the Hmong‑Lao Special Guerrilla Units, serving as a leader of his people for almost two decades until Long Cheng fell on May 13, 1975, forcing him and other Hmong‑Lao to flee to Nam Phong Dang, Thailand, where the United States transported a number of high ranking officials and their families by transport planes to remain until Ban Vinai Camp was established by the United Nations, and they were later able to come to the United States; and
Whereas, North Carolina has become the home for a large number of people of Hmong and Lao heritages, including Colonel Vang's son, Koob D. Vajh, and his family, as well as his former comrade in arms, Colonel Geu Vang, and his family; and
Whereas, the 107th United States Congress passed a resolution recognizing the contribution of the Hmong‑Lao in defending freedom and democracy and supporting the goals of Hmong‑Lao Recognition Day; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives honors the memory of Colonel Khoua Vang, a former colonel in the Laotian Army.
SECTION 2.   The House of Representatives encourages the people of North Carolina to recognize the contributions of the Hmong‑Lao soldiers in the Vietnam War in defending freedom and democracy.
SECTION 3.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to Colonel Khoua Vang's son, Koob D. Vajh.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.