After more than a decade the Hmong Veteran’s Service Recognition Act passed with last week’s Congressional appropriations law
FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY
Contact: Claudia Larson
March 28, 2018 202-570-5195
*MEDIA ADVISORY – TOMORROW*
Costa, Hmong & Lao American Veterans Celebrate Legislative Victory
Fresno, CA — Tomorrow, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) will host a press conference to announce and celebrate the enactment of the Hmong Veterans’ Service Recognition Act as incorporated into last week’s appropriations law. This is a sizable legislative victory for the people of the San Joaquin Valley, home to thousands of Hmong and Lao American veterans who served in the Special Guerrilla Units (SGU) during the Vietnam War who can now receive the veterans benefits they have earned.
Since 2010, Rep. Costa has been leading the bipartisan legislative initiative to extend to SGU veterans burial benefits in national cemeteries, including San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella. Costa has introduced legislation to extend burial benefits to SGU veterans in each of the last five Congress’s, working closely with local SGU veterans organization in this long-fought victory.
Congressmen Costa will be joined by leaders of two local SGU veterans organization at the press conference, Mr. Chi Neng Vang of the Special Guerrilla Units (SGU) Veterans and Executive Director Peter Vang of the Fresno chapter of Lao Veterans of America, Inc. SGU veterans from across California’s Central Valley as well as the nation are expected to attend in celebration.
WHO: Congressman Jim Costa
Mr. Chi Neng Vang, SGU Veterans
Mr. Peter Vang, Executive Director of Lao Veterans of America, Inc. Fresno
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: Thursday, March 29, 2018
11:00 AM (PT)
WHERE: Lao Hmong American War Memorial
Fresno County Courthouse Park
1100 Van Ness Avenue
Fresno, CA 93721
