H.Res. 596 — Introduced in House

IV 113th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 596 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 22, 2014 Mr. Duffy (for himself, Mr. Petri, Mr. Cook, and Mr. Perlmutter) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Recognizing the Khmer and Lao/Hmong Freedom Fighters of Cambodia and Laos for supporting and defending the United States Armed Forces during the conflict in Southeast Asia and for their continued support and defense of the United States. Whereas the Khmer and Lao/Hmong Freedom Fighters (also known as the Khmer and Lao/Hmong veterans) fought and died with United States Armed Forces during the conflict in Southeast Asia; Whereas the Khmer and Lao/Hmong Freedom Fighters rescued United States pilots shot down in enemy-controlled territory and returned the pilots to safety; Whereas the Khmer and Lao/Hmong Freedom Fighters retrieved and prevented from falling into enemy hands secret and sensitive information, technology, and equipment; Whereas the Khmer and Lao/Hmong Freedom Fighters captured and destroyed enemy supplies and prevented enemy forces from using the supplies to kill members of the United States Armed Forces; Whereas the Khmer and Lao/Hmong Freedom Fighters gathered and provided to the United States Armed Forces intelligence about enemy troop positions, movement, and strength; Whereas the Khmer and Lao/Hmong Freedom Fighters provided food, shelter, and support to the United States Armed Forces; Whereas the Khmer and Lao/Hmong Freedom Fighters facilitated the evacuation of the United States Embassy in Phnom Penh on April 12, 1975, by continuing to fight Khmer Rouge forces as the forces advanced upon the capital; Whereas, in 2014, the Khmer and Lao/Hmong Freedom Fighters are still subject to intimidation, ridicule, discrimination, and death if identified in Cambodia or Laos; Whereas veterans of the Khmer Mobile Guerrilla Forces, the Lao/Hmong Special Guerrilla Units, and the Khmer Republic Armed Forces defended human rights, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of representation and association; and Whereas the Khmer and Lao/Hmong Freedom Fighters have not yet received official recognition from the United States Government for their heroic efforts and support: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives affirms and recognizes the Khmer and Lao/Hmong Freedom Fighters and the people of Cambodia and Laos for their support and defense of the United States Armed Forces and freedom of democracy in Southeast Asia.