SF 1710

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/07/2017 09:54am

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 May 14 of each year is designated as Hmong Veterans Day in honor of Hmong people
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. Each year, the governor shall issue a proclamation honoring the
observance. 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. 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 Minnesota flags at half-staff on May 14.
new text end