Whereas, The current Hmong people have been persecuted and estranged from many nations during their long diaspora and are now once again uprooted from their most recent country of origin, the highlands of Laos and Vietnam as a consequence of their support of the United States during the Vietnam War; and,

Whereas, As 40-50,000 Hmong soldiers were killed during the Vietnam War and the remaining Hmong population in Laos have been victims of ongoing retaliation, murder and genocide since the conclusion of the Vietnam War; and,

Whereas, Hmong veterans and their families were provided with political asylum, refugee status, and citizenship because of their unique contribution to the United States; and,

Whereas, The Lao Veterans of America in Michigan, Inc. has established chapters throughout the states and have sought to serve their community and educate the public about the historic contribution of the Hmong veterans during the Vietnam War; and,

Whereas, The sacrifices of thousands of Lao veterans have gone unrecognized and to this end the Lao Veterans of America in Michigan will perform their own Lao Veteran’s Memorial including the performance of Color Guard, Casket Teams, band and bugler, ad 21 rifle salute, raising the American flag, and honoring the next of kin with appropriate certificates; and,

Whereas, The national memorial event will be commemorated in Washington, D.C. on May 13, the day the Hmong were evacuated from Laos and Vietnam; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 13, 2004, as Lao Veterans Day in Michigan and I commend the efforts and contributions of the Hmong veterans to safeguard the ideals and beliefs of the American people.