1.1A Senate resolution
1.2honoring the memory of Vang Sao Thao.
1.3WHEREAS, Vang Sao Thao joined the CIA recruitment during the Secret War in Laos
1.4at age 11; and
1.5WHEREAS, Mr. Thao was promoted to Sergeant of SGU unit 205-3 in 1967 under the
1.6command of General Vang Pao, and received the rank of Lieutenant and trained as a T-28
1.7fighter pilot in 1972; and
1.8WHEREAS, after settling in St. Paul in 1987 via the Ban Vinai Refugee Camp in Thailand,
1.9Mr. Thao dedicated his time toward building the Hmong community; and
1.10WHEREAS, he was elected President of Thao Kue Inc., serving from 2006 to 2014, and
1.11cofounded and chaired the Hmong American Leadership Council from 2011 to 2014; and
1.12WHEREAS, he also rallied community support to get the Hmong-Lao Veteran Memorial
1.13built; and
1.14WHEREAS, he was a friend and advisor of Senator Foung Hawj, and recently passed
1.15away; and
1.16NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
1.17honors the memory of Vang Sao Thao, thanks him for his military service and his service to his
1.18community, and extends condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew him.
1.19BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
1.20enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
1.21Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to Rick Vam Sawm Thao.

JoAnne M. ZoffSecretary of the Senate

Thomas M. BakkChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Foung HawjState Senator, District 67

John A. HoffmanState Senator, District 36

Alice M. JohnsonState Senator, District 37