1.1A Senate resolution
1.2honoring Colonel Xay Dang Xiong.
1.3WHEREAS, Colonel Xay Dang Xiong was born in the Village of Ban Keobane, Tasseng Phou Fa
1.4in the Xieng Khouang Province of Laos on December 12, 1943, to Nai Kong Nha Zoua Xoing and Ying
1.5Lee; and
1.6WHEREAS, he married Mai Yang and later in life, Youa Yang, having nine children, 27
1.7grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren; and
1.8WHEREAS, Colonel Xay Dang Xiong was recruited by the CIA and General Vang Pao in 1961 for
1.9guerilla warfare training at King Nare Xone Camp, Hua Hin, Thailand, because he was a bright young
1.10individual with good leadership skills and demonstrated excellence in military tactics, organization building,
1.11and courage; and
1.12WHEREAS, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel in 1973 and became the Commander for
1.13Company 3011, SGU Battalion 206, Regiment GM21, and Deputy Brigade #01, with over 4,500 soldiers
1.14under his command; and
1.15WHEREAS, he supervised infantries to protect the United States Radar at Mount Phou Phathi, and
1.16led numerous missions to intercept North Vietnamese supply lines on the Ho Chi Minh Trail and to rescue
1.17F15 pilots; and
1.18WHEREAS, after the Secret War in Laos (1961-1975), Colonel Xay Dang Xiong and his family fled
1.19Laos into Thailand as refugees; and
1.20WHEREAS, in August of 1975, the Interior Ministry of Thailand commissioned Colonel Xay Dang
1.21Xiong to assemble a team of Hmong SGU officers and soldiers to clear the border forest in the Pak Chom
1.22District of Loei to build a haven for refugees from Laos; and
1.23WHEREAS, Colonel Xay Dang Xiong, a person of Christian faith, built a church on the initial
1.24clearing and named the area Ban Vinai to acknowledge the loyalty of his assembly and their families; and
2.1WHEREAS, in 1977, Colonel Xay Dang Xiong left Thailand and resettled in France for five years
2.2before permanently moving to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1982; and
2.3WHEREAS, Colonel Xay Dang Xiong devoted the remainder of his life training leaders within the
2.4community, promoting education and civic engagement, and played a vital role in establishing the Lao
2.5Hmong Veterans of America and other nonprofits in Wisconsin.
2.6NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
2.7commemorates the life and legacy of Colonel Xay Dang Xiong who was a man of principle, valor, and
2.8integrity, and recognizes him for his positive and lasting impact in the Hmong community that extends far
2.9beyond Wisconsin's borders.
2.10BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an enrolled
2.11copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the Chair of the Senate
2.12Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the family of Colonel Xay Dang Xiong.

Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate

Paul E. GazelkaChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Foung HawjState Senator, District 67