1.1A Senate resolution
1.2recognizing the survivors and their descendants of Phu Kham Huam.
1.3WHEREAS, Phu Kham Huam, translated as "Mountain that Concealed Gold," was a remote hilltop
1.4village in Laos founded in February 1968 by Major Chay Heu to relocate his relatives and serve as a haven
1.5from the Secret War in Laos; and
1.6WHEREAS, Phu Kham Huam was known as a peaceful Hmong Christian community strategically
1.7placed to care for wounded soldiers and other ethnic highlanders in need, had a school, infirmary, two
1.8airfields, and church, all of which were built by the villagers, who also grew crops and raised livestock; and
1.9WHEREAS, after the United States withdrew from Southeast Asia, including Laos, the Phu Kham
1.10Huam families were assaulted, killed, and, ultimately, displaced and fled across the Mekong River into Thai
1.11refugee camps and after much trials and tribulations emigrated to the United States, where they have become
1.12productive members of society; and
1.13WHEREAS, the Phu Kham Huam survivors and their descendents held their first reunion in 2015
1.14to celebrate their 40th anniversary in the United States; and
1.15WHEREAS, the Hmong Americans of Phu Kham Huam designated July 3 as their annual date to
1.16remember their rich history as an autonomous agrarian community, remember the hardship of their exile
1.17from Laos, and celebrate their success and contributions to the United States; and
1.18NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it recognizes
1.19the survivors and their descendants of Phu Kham Huam and their contributions to the United States and
1.20wishes them a prosperous and successful future.
1.21BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an enrolled
1.22copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the Chair of the Senate
1.23Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the survivors and their descendants of Phu Kham
1.24Huam.

Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate

Paul E. GazelkaChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

John MartyState Senator, District 66

Foung HawjState Senator, District 67

Chris A. EatonState Senator, District 40

John A. HoffmanState Senator, District 36

Bill IngebrigtsenState Senator, District 8