SACRAMENTO, CA – KBTV will be airing the National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day this Sunday, July 29 at 7 p.m. during the Hmong Media program block. The annual commemoration of the National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day was celebrated last Sunday, July 22 at the International World Peace Rose Garden at the State Capitol in Sacramento.
The 107th United States Congress declared July 22 as a nationally recognized day to honor Hmong men, women, and children who suffered through the “secret war”. The commemoration at the State Capitol included speeches from Hmong-American veterans who fought in the CIA’s “secret war” against communist Laos, resolutions and/or letters of support from Assemblyman Dave Jones of the 9th District, City of Sacramento, Sacramento County Board of Supervisor, and Congresswoman Doris Matsui, as well as speeches by Yolo County Supervisor Mariko Yamada from the 4th District and Vice Mayor of the City of Sacramento, Kevin McCarty.
Community leaders such as Ge Moua, president of the Sacramento Hmong Community Network (SHCN) and Ter Fong Yang, vice chairman of the Hmong S.G.U. Veteran were there along with Hmong community members to take part of the commemoration. The commemoration was organized by the Sacramento Hmong Community Network (SHCN), formerly the Sacramento Hmong Refugee Task Force which was founded in 2004 to help Hmong refugees from Wat Tam Kabrok Thailand transition to Sacramento.
“We, as young Hmong Americans, are fortunate not to have or remember the memories that plague the minds of our parents and grandparents. The images and sounds from the Secret War still haunt them today. By celebrating National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day, we wish to honor the Hmong people who fought so valiantly for democracy,” said Ge Moua, chair of SHCN.
