1.1A Senate resolution
1.2celebrating the life of John Thao.
1.3WHEREAS, John Thao was born on January 17, 1991, in the city of San Diego, California, the third
1.4of seven children born to father Va Xai Thao and mother Chai Yang. John's parents married in 1987 and
1.5provided the foundation for the values that would guide him through life; and
1.6WHEREAS, John grew up in San Diego, California, where his family lived for 12 years before
1.7moving to Winder, Georgia. The family moved to Minnesota in 2007, where John graduated from Patrick
1.8Henry High School and received a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Minnesota;
1.9and
1.10WHEREAS, as a young adult, John developed a deep passion for sports cars. His love for these sleek
1.11machines led him to join a Honda S2000 club called MN S2K. To those within the club, John was more
1.12than just an administrator or a friend, he was family. His commitment to cars and camaraderie left an enduring
1.13legacy; and
1.14WHEREAS, John also found his calling in music as a manager for Vichai Band, a prominent local
1.15Hmong music group. John built relationships with third-party event organizers and handled contracts for
1.16the band. John also managed the business aspects of SyndicateFour LLC in association with the band; and
1.17WHEREAS, John was also a valuable player for and member of Sepak Takraw of USA, Inc. John
1.18presented the traditional Southeast Asian game of Sepak Takraw in front of the Minnesota Senate in 2015
1.19to help secure state funding for construction of six Sepak Takraw courts in St. Paul in 2018; and
1.20WHEREAS, John and Team USA made history by winning two gold medals in Daejeon, South
1.21Korea, at the 2022 International Sepaktakraw Federation World Cup; and
1.22WHEREAS, John Thao passed away on September 23, 2023, and will be greatly missed by many;
1.23and
1.24NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it honors
1.25John Thao's life as a testament to passion, dedication, and selflessness. His legacy lives on, a reminder of
1.26what one individual can achieve when they give their all to their passions and communities.
1.27BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an enrolled
1.28copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the Chair of the Senate
1.29Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the family of John Thao.

Tom BotternSecretary of the Senate

Kari DziedzicChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Tou XiongState Senator, District 44

Foung HawjState Senator, District 67

John A. HoffmanState Senator, District 34

Bobby Joe ChampionState Senator, District 59