BILL NUMBER: HR 33INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Jones AUGUST 4, 2010 Relative to Vietnam War era Hmong soldiers. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST WHEREAS, From 1961 to 1975, during the Vietnam War, the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) ran a covert counterinsurgency operation in Laos that became known as the Secret War; and WHEREAS, The CIA recruited Hmong individuals from Laos to help fight the communists; and WHEREAS, The Hmong soldiers fought shoulder-to-shoulder with American soldiers; and WHEREAS, The Hmong were recruited initially to shield Laos from communist takeover, and were later instructed to interdict convoys of supplies on the Ho Chi Minh Trail; and WHEREAS, These young Hmong earned a reputation as capable, loyal, and brave fighters, and their service in combat proved to match the best guerrilla fighters in the world; and WHEREAS, Many Hmong soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country, and our nation owes a debt of gratitude to them; and WHEREAS, These Hmong soldiers played an important and unique role in United States military history; and WHEREAS, About 130,000 ethnic Hmong moved to the United States after the 1975 communist takeover as political refugees; and WHEREAS, It is fitting that the service of Hmong veterans be honored with burial benefits in our national cemeteries; and WHEREAS, House Resolution 5879 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; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California,That the Assembly of the State of California respectfully 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 be it further Resolved,That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit 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.