1.1A Senate resolution
1.2honoring Vang Ntsuab Vaaj Her for graduating from traditional Hmong
1.3funeral rites training class to become a TXIV XAIV.
1.4WHEREAS, the Hmong cultural view of death is that it is a long journey for the soul to
1.5retrace one's footsteps, circling back to one's origins and place of birth, and then proceeding on a
1.6journey to meet one's ancestors in the afterlife; and
1.7WHEREAS, traditional Hmong funerals are elaborate, and take several days until burial;
1.8there are many procedures, and they must be done appropriately and accordingly based on the
1.9age and gender of the deceased; and
1.10WHEREAS, during this process, many songs, words, messages, and rites are performed to
1.11ensure that the soul reach its destination; and
1.12WHEREAS, training for administering traditional Hmong funeral rites to become a TXIV
1.13XAIV, a person who knows and can perform the funeral rites, is like going to a four-year college;
1.14trainees learn spoken words taught by an instructor, and each participant must repeat and perform
1.15one sentence or verse at a time before going on to the next; and
1.16WHEREAS, Vang Ntsuab Vaaj Her has completed all of the necessary requirements to
1.17become a TXIV XAIV, and a graduation ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2013; and
1.18NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota
1.19that it congratulates Vang Ntsuab Vaaj Her on graduating from traditional Hmong funeral rites
1.20training class to become a TXIV XAIV.
1.21BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
1.22enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
1.23Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to Vang Ntsuab Vaaj Her.

1.24 1.25 1.26

JoAnne M. Zoff Secretary of the Senate

Thomas M. Bakk Chair, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration

1.27 1.28

Foung Hawj State Senator, District 67