Bill Text: MN SR56 | 2023-2024 | 93rd Legislature | Draft
Bill Title: A Senate resolution honoring the lifelong and dedicated community service of Mr. Xang Vang
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2023-05-17 - Referred to Rules and Administration [SR56 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2023-SR56-Draft.html
1.1A Senate resolution
1.2honoring the lifelong and dedicated community service of Mr. Xang Vang.
1.3WHEREAS, Mr. Xang Vang was born November 1, 1950, in the Nong Het District, Xieng Khouang
1.4Province, Laos, to Mr. Nhia Bee Vang and Mrs. Sao Yang; and
1.5WHEREAS, during the Secret War (1961-1975), Vang joined the CIA's Secret Army, the Special
1.6Guerillas Unit (SGU), as a sergeant to defend freedom and democracy. In 1969, he worked in the ammunition
1.7department and was promoted to lieutenant. He remained at this post until Laos fell into communist control
1.8on May 14, 1975. In 1976, Vang and his family immigrated to Wisconsin; then in 1978, they moved to
1.9Minnesota; and
1.10WHEREAS, Vang is a pioneer in helping Hmong refugees adjust and become self-sufficient as new
1.11Americans. He served as executive director of various nonprofit agencies to advocate for and implement
1.12refugee assistance programs, including the Lao Family Community of Minnesota, Hmong American Mutual
1.13Assistance Association, and Hmong Youth Association of Minnesota, and generously donated $20,000 to
1.14the Center for Hmong Studies at Concordia University-St. Paul; and
1.15WHEREAS, in the early 1980s, as a lifelong farmer, Vang took part in the creation of the Minnesota
1.16Agricultural Enterprise for New Americans in partnership with the University of Minnesota. The program
1.17taught refugees to grow and sell fresh produce at farmer markets throughout the Twin Cities; and
1.18WHEREAS, in 2006, Vang became the executive director of SGU Veterans and Families of USA,
1.19Inc. In 2013, he testified before the Minnesota Legislature for state funding to build the Hmong and Lao
1.20Veterans Commemorative Memorial that now stands on the State Capitol grounds; and
1.21NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it honors
1.22Mr. Xang Vang with gratitude and respect for his significant contributions to humanity and thanks him for
1.23his life of dedicated service.
1.24BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an enrolled
1.25copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the Chair of the Senate
1.26Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to Mr. Xang Vang.
1.2honoring the lifelong and dedicated community service of Mr. Xang Vang.
1.3WHEREAS, Mr. Xang Vang was born November 1, 1950, in the Nong Het District, Xieng Khouang
1.4Province, Laos, to Mr. Nhia Bee Vang and Mrs. Sao Yang; and
1.5WHEREAS, during the Secret War (1961-1975), Vang joined the CIA's Secret Army, the Special
1.6Guerillas Unit (SGU), as a sergeant to defend freedom and democracy. In 1969, he worked in the ammunition
1.7department and was promoted to lieutenant. He remained at this post until Laos fell into communist control
1.8on May 14, 1975. In 1976, Vang and his family immigrated to Wisconsin; then in 1978, they moved to
1.9Minnesota; and
1.10WHEREAS, Vang is a pioneer in helping Hmong refugees adjust and become self-sufficient as new
1.11Americans. He served as executive director of various nonprofit agencies to advocate for and implement
1.12refugee assistance programs, including the Lao Family Community of Minnesota, Hmong American Mutual
1.13Assistance Association, and Hmong Youth Association of Minnesota, and generously donated $20,000 to
1.14the Center for Hmong Studies at Concordia University-St. Paul; and
1.15WHEREAS, in the early 1980s, as a lifelong farmer, Vang took part in the creation of the Minnesota
1.16Agricultural Enterprise for New Americans in partnership with the University of Minnesota. The program
1.17taught refugees to grow and sell fresh produce at farmer markets throughout the Twin Cities; and
1.18WHEREAS, in 2006, Vang became the executive director of SGU Veterans and Families of USA,
1.19Inc. In 2013, he testified before the Minnesota Legislature for state funding to build the Hmong and Lao
1.20Veterans Commemorative Memorial that now stands on the State Capitol grounds; and
1.21NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it honors
1.22Mr. Xang Vang with gratitude and respect for his significant contributions to humanity and thanks him for
1.23his life of dedicated service.
1.24BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an enrolled
1.25copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the Chair of the Senate
1.26Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to Mr. Xang Vang.
| Tom BotternSecretary of the Senate | Kari DziedzicChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration |
| Susan PhaState Senator, District 38 | Foung HawjState Senator, District 67 |
| Tou XiongState Senator, District 44 | Sandra L. PappasState Senator, District 65 |
| John A. HoffmanState Senator, District 34 |
