1.1A Senate resolution
1.2honoring Colonel TouLong Yang on his service in the Secret War in Laos during the Vietnam
1.3War.
1.4WHEREAS, TouLong Yang was born in Ban Houi Chuang, Phoufa, in 1939 to District Chief Nou Yee Yang
1.5and Nhu Fang; and
1.6WHEREAS, he began his military career in 1961 and was recognized as a capable person with great leadership
1.7skills and excellence in military tactics. He was trained as an elite member in guerrilla warfare, parachuting, and
1.8strategic air delivery of supplies; and
1.9WHEREAS, in 1962, TouLong Yang was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and advanced to the rank of Captain
1.10in 1966 while working with Air America and Air Continental; and
1.11WHEREAS, in 1967, he became the commander of the Auto Defense de Choc, ADC. His main objective was
1.12to protect the Royal family and supervise six zones of western Laos, including Luang Prabang, Sayabury, Luang Nam
1.13Tha, and Nam Bac to support the influx of 40,000 refugees; and
1.14WHEREAS, TouLong Yang was promoted to Major in 1968, Lt. Colonel in 1970, and Colonel in 1973 while
1.15serving as the top officer commanding Group Mobile GM 21 (battalions 201, 202, and 206), GM 22 Brigade 13, GM
1.1623, GM 25, and GM 27; and
1.17WHEREAS, he was one of the very few Hmong-Lao Special Guerilla leaders with a direct tie to the United
1.18States Department during and after the Secret War in Laos; and
1.19WHEREAS, after the Vientiane Treaty to cease fire between warring factions on February 21, 1973, Colonel
1.20TouLong Yang supervised the security details for the revered Hmong General Vang Pao, until they fled to Thailand
1.21in 1975 when Laos fell to the communist rule, and Colonel TouLong Yang was appointed by General Vang Pao to be
1.22his successor to lead the Hmong people seeking refuge in Thailand, and later assumed the position as Chair of Ban
1.23Vinai Refugee Camp until his departure to France in 1977; and
1.24WHEREAS, in 1991, he moved his family to the United States, first arriving in Providence, Rhode Island, and
1.25made Milwaukee, Wisconsin, his longtime home, where he served in many capacities, supporting the growth of the
1.26Hmong-American community and veterans' organizations; and
1.27WHEREAS, Colonel TouLong Yang currently resides in St. Paul, remaining active in the community as an
1.28adviser to Hmong-American organizations and leaders, including Minnesota State Senator Foung Hawj; and
1.29NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it commemorates
1.30the leadership and heroism of Colonel TouLong Yang, and recognizes his service in the Secret War in Laos during the
1.31Vietnam War.
1.32BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an enrolled copy of
1.33this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the Chair of the Senate Rules and
1.34Administration Committee, and transmit it to Colonel TouLong Yang.

Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate

Paul E. GazelkaChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Foung HawjState Senator, District 67

John A. HoffmanState Senator, District 36

John MartyState Senator, District 66

Jerry NewtonState Senator, District 37

Sandra L. PappasState Senator, District 65