Monday, March 18, 2013, Juneau, Alaska – The Alaska House of Representatives today passed a resolution calling on the state to honor the tens of thousands of Hmong-Americans killed or wounded in the Kingdom of Laos during the Vietnam War.

House Concurrent Resolution 4, sponsored by Representative Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage, proclaims May 15 to be Hmong-American Veterans Memorial Day.

Hmong-Americans supported United States military operations in the Kingdom of Laos in what was known as the “Secret War” between Feb. 28, 1961 and May 15, 1975. Estimated numbers are 35,000-40,000 Hmong-Americans killed in combat, 50,000-58,000 wounded, and 3,000 missing in action.

“Hmong were called damned good fighters by the Central Intelligence Agency. They fought bravely for 13 years and suffered casualty rates five times higher than the rate experienced by U.S. Soldiers,” LeDoux said. “The ‘Secret War’ is no longer a secret and recognition of these brave fighting individuals is long overdue.”

The most recent numbers show the United States Hmong population to be between 200,000 and 300,000; with the Alaska population at almost 4,700 and rising.

HCR 4 passed the House unanimously and now moves to the Alaska Senate for consideration.