HJR 17 - Hmong Veterans Military Burial Rights

• Alaska Legislature encourages United States Congress to pass legislation granting full military burial rights to Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War.

• Beginning in 1960, the CIA recruited approximately 100,000 Hmong soldiers as Special Guerrilla Units to fight against Communist forces in Laos and North Vietnam.

• Approximately 40,000 Hmong soldiers died, 50,000 were seriously injured, and 3,000 went missing in action, with Hmong soldiers dying at 10 times the rate of U.S. soldiers in the Vietnam War.

• Hmong soldiers conducted guerrilla combat, flew combat missions, protected U.S. personnel, guarded Air Force radar installations, and rescued downed American pilots despite being outnumbered.

• Resolution copies shall be sent to the President, Vice President, Congressional leaders, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and all members of the 115th United States Congress.