Committee hears SJR 10 urging Congressional Gold Medal for Hmong Vietnam veterans; amendment deadline set

The House Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs heard a presentation on Senate Joint Resolution 10 on April 1, 2025, asking Congress to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Hmong veterans who fought alongside U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. Sen. Bill Wilkowski of East Anchorage presented the resolution and was joined by his intern, Joshua Makos. The committee chair said the panel would hold SJR 10 and set an amendment deadline for 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, with public testimony scheduled for Thursday, April 3.

The resolution urges Congress to recognize Hmong veterans for work that supporters described as vital to U.S. operations in Laos during the Vietnam era. Wilkowski and Joshua Makos described the Hmong recruitment by the Central Intelligence Agency in the early 1960s, the role of Gen. Vang Pao, and battlefield duties that included intelligence gathering, directing air strikes and rescuing downed U.S. airmen. Makos said the Hmong suffered heavy casualties and that supporters want federal recognition in the form of the Congressional Gold Medal.

May Ramirez Zhang (recorded by committee staff as an invited online witness), identified by the chair as CEO and cofounder of HEART Incorporated (Hmong Empowering, Advocating, Reforming Together), gave invited testimony in support. She said she was testifying on behalf of veterans and families who could not attend and described postwar reprisals Hmong people suffered after U.S. withdrawal, including executions, reeducation camps and exile. She urged committee members to pass SJR 10 to send a message of solidarity to Congress.

Presenters and witnesses pointed to prior recognitions when describing the request. The committee heard that the Lao Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery was dedicated in 1997 and that Alaska designated May 15 as Hmong American Veterans Day in 2019. Supporters also noted that a federal bill, identified during the presentation as S.3271 (introduced in 2023 by Sen. Gary C. Peters as the Hmong Congressional Gold Medal Act), had been introduced but was not advanced in committee before the 2023 session.

The chair said SJR 10 would be held in committee and reiterated the procedural deadlines: amendment submissions were due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, and public testimony would be heard Thursday, April 3. No committee vote on the resolution occurred during the April 1 meeting.

Why it matters: Supporters say a federal medal would be symbolic recognition for a population and community that advocates say were critical to U.S. operations in Southeast Asia and that endured severe postwar reprisals. The committee’s action to hold SJR 10 and set a short amendment window moves the item toward further public input and possible amendment before the committee considers final action.