# Understanding the Hmong Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill authorizes Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Hmong people in recognition of their military service during the Vietnam War. The Hmong are an ethnic group from Southeast Asia who played a significant role in the conflict, particularly in Laos. During the war, over 30,000 Hmong men were recruited and trained by the CIA to fight against communist forces. They conducted ground combat, flew missions, gathered intelligence, disrupted supply lines, and rescued American pilots. The Hmong suffered tremendously—their soldiers died at roughly ten times the rate of American soldiers in Vietnam.

After the war ended and communist forces took over Laos in 1975, over 150,000 Hmong fled the country. Many came to the United States as refugees because of their close ties to American military efforts. Today, more than 327,000 Hmong Americans live in the U.S., with large communities in California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. This bill recognizes their historical contributions and sacrifices during a critical period in American military history.

If passed, the bill directs the Treasury Department to create a gold medal with appropriate designs and inscriptions. After the medal is presented by Congress, it will be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research. The bill also allows the Treasury to create and sell bronze duplicate medals to the public to cover production costs. This is largely a symbolic gesture—the bill doesn't provide direct financial benefits or services to Hmong Americans, but rather honors their military service and acknowledges an important but often overlooked chapter of the Vietnam War.

Hmong Congressional Gold Medal Act

Grothman, Glenn

Hmong Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to the Hmong people in recognition of their highly distinguished service in the Vietnam War and the fight against communism.