Costa Says President's Trip to Laos Promotes Recognition for Hmong and Lao Veterans

Press Release

Today, Rep. Jim Costa (CA-16) released the following statement regarding President Barack Obama's visit in Laos. President Obama's visit to Laos is the first Presidential visit to the country in United States history.

"The President's visit to Laos reminds us of the Hmong and Lao individuals that served as part of Special Guerilla Unit (SGU) and fought shoulder to shoulder with American soldiers during the Vietnam War," said Rep. Costa. "Congress must recognize the sacrifices of the brave Hmong and Lao veterans who risked their lives to support the United States military. Their service saved American lives, and the estimated 6,000 Hmong and Lao veterans and their families living in the United States today deserve special recognition. They have made great sacrifices for the United States, and we must never forget them."

In May 2015, Rep. Costa introduced H.R. 2327, the Hmong Veterans' Service Recognition Act. The legislation would extend burial benefits in national cemeteries to Hmong and Lao Americans who served beside U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War.

Hmong men and women from Laos were trained and led by officers from the CIA's Special Activities Division during the Vietnam War. Tens of thousands of these individuals performed direct missions against Communist forces and North Vietnamese supporters, saving countless American lives. Following the war, thousands of Hmong Veterans resettled across the United States and in the Valley. In 1975, President Ford signed legislation that granted them legal permanent resident status and in 2000, President Clinton signed the Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act, which allowed Hmong veterans and their families to become U.S. citizens.

Currently burial benefits are available to veterans and members of the U.S. Armed Services, their spouses and dependents, Reserve Officers, Public Health Service Officers, Merchant Mariners from World War II, and the Philippine Armed Forces. This legislation would add veterans who were naturalized under the Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act to the list of individuals eligible for interment at a national cemetery. It is estimated that there are still 6,000 Hmong veterans living in the United States today. Additionally, H.R. 2327 would not change eligibility for burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

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