| R 355 |
| 2023 -- H 5467 Enacted 05/25/2023 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| RESPECTFULLY URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE VETERANS BENEFITS TO THE HMONG/LAOTIAN VETERANS WHO SERVED THE UNITED STATES IN THE "SECRET WAR" IN LAOS |
Introduced By: Representatives Corvese, Azzinaro, Kennedy, O'Brien, Hull, and Fenton-Fung |
| Date Introduced: February 08, 2023 |
| WHEREAS, During the Vietnam War, from February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975, many |
| thousands of Hmong/Laotian people served and fought in the Laos Civil War, also known as the |
| "Secret War", on the side of the United States-led coalition against the Pathet Lao and North |
| Vietnamese communist force; and |
| WHEREAS, The Hmong/Laotian forces worked together and were paid by the CIA, to |
| conduct operations in Laos. It is estimated that more than 35,000 Hmong/Laotian soldiers |
| perished while supporting the United States and its armed forces. They fought honorably and |
| tirelessly for the cause of freedom, yet today are still not recognized as United States Vietnam |
| War Veterans; and |
| WHEREAS, Recognizing the heroic sacrifices made by these Hmong/Laotian war |
| veterans would allow them to finally receive the support and respect they earned on the battle |
| field; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| respectfully urges the United States Congress to pass legislation to provide veterans' benefits to |
| the Hmong/Laotian veterans who served the United States in the “Secret War” in Laos; and be it |
| further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Joseph Biden, Jr., President of |
| the United States and the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation. |
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| LC001285 |
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