| 1 | 1 | | house resolution no.256 Reps. Xiong, Rogers, Bezotte, Brabec, Byrnes, Fitzgerald, Fox, Glanville, Haadsma, Hill, Hood, MacDonell, Miller, Paiz, Rheingans, Weiss and Witwer offered the following resolution: A resolution to declare May 14, 2024, as Hmong Special Guerrilla Units Remembrance Day in the state of Michigan. Whereas, The first Hmong families arrived in the United States as refugees of war in 1976, with thousands settling in the state of Michigan; and Whereas, During the Vietnam War, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and United States Armed Forces recruited, organized, trained, and assisted Hmong forces to combat the North Vietnamese Army and communist Pathet Lao forces; and Whereas, Hmong guerrilla soldiers courageously fought alongside Americans during the Secret War in Laos; and Whereas, Thousands of Hmong men, women and children died in Laos. Their deaths were unaccounted for, while their commitment to rescuing downed American pilots and saving U.S. troops never wavered; and Whereas, When the U.S withdrew from Laos, the Hmong faced harsh retribution from the Communist government for their involvement in the American war effort and many were ultimately forced to flee their native land; and Whereas, On May 14th, 1975, the American Central Intelligence Agency withdrew from Laos, and the Hmong veterans and their families began their journey to new beginnings; and Whereas, Michigan is home to a significant number of Hmong refugees, after providing political asylum and citizenship because of their unique contribution to American interests; and Whereas, The House of Representatives, recognizes that the state of Michigan is home to a significant number of Hmong Americans and the importance of educating the general public about the historic contributions of our Hmong American residents; and Whereas, The diversity of the Hmong people adds much to the cultural fabric of our city, state, and country, as they have shared their traditions, food, and practices of faith; and Whereas, Today, the House of Representatives joins in reflecting on the tremendous heroism and sacrifice of our Hmong American community; and Whereas, We honor their commitment to leadership, establishment of businesses, and contribution to the economic growth of our state; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare May 14, 2024, as Hmong Special Guerrilla Units Remembrance Day in the state of Michigan. |
|---|
| 2 | 2 | | |
|---|
| 3 | 3 | | |
|---|
| 4 | 4 | | |
|---|
| 5 | 5 | | |
|---|
| 6 | 6 | | |
|---|
| 7 | 7 | | house resolution no.256 |
|---|
| 8 | 8 | | |
|---|
| 9 | 9 | | Reps. Xiong, Rogers, Bezotte, Brabec, Byrnes, Fitzgerald, Fox, Glanville, Haadsma, Hill, Hood, MacDonell, Miller, Paiz, Rheingans, Weiss and Witwer offered the following resolution: |
|---|
| 10 | 10 | | |
|---|
| 11 | 11 | | A resolution to declare May 14, 2024, as Hmong Special Guerrilla Units Remembrance Day in the state of Michigan. |
|---|
| 12 | 12 | | |
|---|
| 13 | 13 | | Whereas, The first Hmong families arrived in the United States as refugees of war in 1976, with thousands settling in the state of Michigan; and |
|---|
| 14 | 14 | | |
|---|
| 15 | 15 | | Whereas, During the Vietnam War, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and United States Armed Forces recruited, organized, trained, and assisted Hmong forces to combat the North Vietnamese Army and communist Pathet Lao forces; and |
|---|
| 16 | 16 | | |
|---|
| 17 | 17 | | Whereas, Hmong guerrilla soldiers courageously fought alongside Americans during the Secret War in Laos; and |
|---|
| 18 | 18 | | |
|---|
| 19 | 19 | | Whereas, Thousands of Hmong men, women and children died in Laos. Their deaths were unaccounted for, while their commitment to rescuing downed American pilots and saving U.S. troops never wavered; and |
|---|
| 20 | 20 | | |
|---|
| 21 | 21 | | Whereas, When the U.S withdrew from Laos, the Hmong faced harsh retribution from the Communist government for their involvement in the American war effort and many were ultimately forced to flee their native land; and |
|---|
| 22 | 22 | | |
|---|
| 23 | 23 | | Whereas, On May 14th, 1975, the American Central Intelligence Agency withdrew from Laos, and the Hmong veterans and their families began their journey to new beginnings; and |
|---|
| 24 | 24 | | |
|---|
| 25 | 25 | | Whereas, Michigan is home to a significant number of Hmong refugees, after providing political asylum and citizenship because of their unique contribution to American interests; and |
|---|
| 26 | 26 | | |
|---|
| 27 | 27 | | Whereas, The House of Representatives, recognizes that the state of Michigan is home to a significant number of Hmong Americans and the importance of educating the general public about the historic contributions of our Hmong American residents; and |
|---|
| 28 | 28 | | |
|---|
| 29 | 29 | | Whereas, The diversity of the Hmong people adds much to the cultural fabric of our city, state, and country, as they have shared their traditions, food, and practices of faith; and |
|---|
| 30 | 30 | | |
|---|
| 31 | 31 | | Whereas, Today, the House of Representatives joins in reflecting on the tremendous heroism and sacrifice of our Hmong American community; and |
|---|
| 32 | 32 | | |
|---|
| 33 | 33 | | Whereas, We honor their commitment to leadership, establishment of businesses, and contribution to the economic growth of our state; now, therefore, be it |
|---|
| 34 | 34 | | |
|---|
| 35 | 35 | | Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare May 14, 2024, as Hmong Special Guerrilla Units Remembrance Day in the state of Michigan. |
|---|