HJR 16 Summary

• Alaska Legislature encourages U.S. Congress to pass legislation granting Hmong Vietnam War veterans full access to the same veteran benefits received by United States veterans.

• Beginning in 1960, the U.S. CIA recruited thousands of Hmong people to fight against Communist forces in Laos, with as many as 100,000 Hmong soldiers trained as Special Guerrilla Units.

• Hmong soldiers suffered approximately 40,000 deaths, 50,000 serious injuries and disabilities, and 3,000 missing in action—dying at 10 times the rate of U.S. soldiers in the Vietnam War.

• Hmong soldiers protected U.S. personnel, guarded Air Force radar installations, gathered intelligence, and conducted rescue missions for downed pilots, but the covert nature of the war effort left their sacrifices largely unknown.

• Approximately 50,000 Hmong veterans currently reside in the United States; resolution directs copies be sent to President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, congressional leadership, and all members of the 117th Congress.