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Committee hears broad testimony supporting SGU recognition bill; authors narrow scope and plan further revisions
Summary
House File 1845 would formally recognize Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) veterans (Hmong and Lao recruits who fought with U.S. forces in Laos). Extensive testimony from Hmong community leaders and veterans urged passage; sponsors adopted amendments narrowing benefits and withdrew a proposed DE1 amendment, and the bill was laid over for further work.
House File 1845, a bill to formally recognize Hmong and Lao Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) veterans who fought in Laos alongside U.S. forces during the Vietnam era, drew extended testimony on April 2 from veterans, community leaders and legislators. Representative Rei Cha and co‑sponsors framed the bill as an act of recognition for a community that provided critical support to U.S. operations in Southeast Asia.
Representative Cha described personal family history and the bill’s intent to "restore the honor and the dignities of these heroes" and said sponsors had narrowed the proposed scope to avoid large fiscal impacts. Representative Kaohly Her and Director Lee Bongshong of the Center for Hmong Studies provided historical context on recruitment of Hmong fighters and high casualty rates; Lee said "over 30,000 Hmong SCU died in the war" and urged the committee to act so "these aging Hmong and Lao SGU veterans' legacy [is] not forgotten." Several SGU veterans and advocates testified about combat service, training with U.S. personnel and postwar persecution and resettlement.
Representative Bliss (chair) introduced a DE1 amendment (task force) but later withdrew it after discussion; sponsors and the chair said they would continue bipartisan conversations and meet with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to refine language. Representative Hoehr and others emphasized the bill had broad bipartisan support and noted the forthcoming fiftieth anniversary of Hmong resettlement in Minnesota.
Testimony included details on prior congressional and federal actions: a witness said Congress passed H.R. 371 (the Hmong Naturalization Act) and referenced other recognitions such as burial rights in U.S. national cemeteries and memorials. Multiple witnesses said many SGU veterans lack documentary records because papers were destroyed during and after the war, and speakers urged the committee to be thoughtful about evidence standards while moving to honor service.
Committee members praised the testimony, noted the need to work with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on language and fiscal implications, and laid the bill over for further drafting and consideration.
