Recognizing 2024 Hmong-American Day in Merced County

Floor Speech

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Mr. DUARTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize May 14, 2024 as Hmong-American Day, honoring the legacy of the Hmong people who served, were wounded, or lost their lives in battle. Their sacrifice, to ensure America remains the land of the free, knowing we forever owe a debt of gratitude for their sacrifice. We recognize the important cultural, social, political, and economic contributions of Hmong Americans that provide generational enrichment and enhancement to this county across many sectors, including CBOs, business, healthcare, education, public safety, and government.

From 1961 to 1975, more than 40,000 Hmong individuals were recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to fight alongside American soldiers in the Secret War, a vital part of the Vietnam War, in Laos. But in 1975, the Fall of Long Chen forced thousands of Hmong to flee Laos to seek refuge from persecution, where many refugees and their families immigrated to other countries, including the United States, and to California--where today Merced is home to more than 8,000 Hmong residents.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in celebrating Hmong-American Day and formally recognizing and celebrating the rich history, culture, and contributions of Hmong Americans in Merced County and other communities throughout California.

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