The Alaska Senate is asking Congress to revive a stalled effort that would honor ethnic Hmong people who aided the United States during the Vietnam War. 

In a 17-0 vote on Monday, the Senate approved Senate Joint Resolution 10, which requests that Congress award the Congressional Gold Medal to Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War.

During that war, Hmong residents of Laos and Vietnam helped American soldiers and CIA spies, but because they were not American citizens, their work was not generally recognized.

After the United States lost the war, thousands of Hmong immigrated to the country, and Alaska has about 5,000 Hmong residents, including about two dozen Vietnam War veterans.

Congress has previously authorized the Congressional Gold Medal for other allied veterans, including Filipino World War II veterans, but a bill honoring the Hmong has not yet advanced.

Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, sponsored SJR 10.

“Hmong veterans deserve this honor,” he said Monday. “Alaska has the third-highest Hmong population per capita in the nation. This resolution urges the United States Congress to grant these Hmong soldiers the recognition that they have deserved.” 

Senate Minority Leader Mike Shower, R-Wasilla and a U.S. Air Force veteran, spoke in support of Wielechowski’s proposal.

“It sounds like a small thing to many people. ‘Oh, you give them a medal? Big deal.’ But it means something,” Shower said. “Because for many people that serve, that’s all they want — a thank you and an acknowledgement for the sacrifices that they made.”

SJR 10 advances to the House for further consideration.

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