SF 374

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/21/2019 02:33pm

A bill for an act
relating to state government; establishing a new state holiday to recognize Hmong
people who assisted the United States during the Vietnam War; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 10.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [10.5805] HMONG VETERANS DAY; STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
new text end

new text begin (a) May 14 of each year is designated as Hmong-Lao Veterans Memorial Day in honor
of Southeast Asians, Americans, and their allies who served, suffered, sacrificed, or died
in the Secret War in Laos during the Vietnam War in the years 1961 to 1975 in support of
the armed forces of the United States, and in recognition of the significance of May 14,
1975, the last day of airlift evacuation of officers and their families from the covert
headquarters in Long Tieng, Laos, to the Nam Phong refugee camp in Thailand. At least
35,000 Hmong Special Guerrilla Unit soldiers lost their lives protecting American troops.
The Secret War wiped out one-half of the Hmong population in Laos and they were facing
genocide after the war. Those who survived escaped to western countries to start a new life.
Each year, the governor shall issue a proclamation honoring the observance.
new text end

new text begin (b) Schools are encouraged to read a passage about Hmong history or this statute to
students in honor of this day on May 14 or, if May 14 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, on the
Friday preceding May 14. Businesses may close in honor of this day and an employee may
request the day off without pay with two weeks' notice to the employer in observance of
this day.
new text end

new text begin (c) The governor shall order the American flag and Minnesota flag flown on the grounds
of the Capitol area and other state property to be flown at half-staff on May 14. Local
governments, private businesses, and public and private schools are encouraged to fly
American and Minnesotan flags at half-staff on May 14.
new text end