Costa Reintroduces Legislation to Honor Hmong Veterans

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) was joined by Vietnam veteran Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA) in reintroducing 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. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has introduced similar bipartisan legislation in the Senate.

"Hmong veterans risked their lives fighting side-by-side with American forces in Vietnam and have earned the right to rest as heroes beside their brothers in arms," Costa said. "Granting them the honor of being laid to rest in our national cemeteries, like the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella, is long overdue and demonstrates our nation's deep gratitude for their patriotic service to our country."

Rep. Cook said, "In Vietnam, I saw firsthand the sacrifices these brave men and women made for our country. We fought side by side to stop the spread of communism and it's fitting that America honors their contributions."

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, this bill will not change eligibility for burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

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