[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 948 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 948
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian refugee
resettlement and the many contributions and sacrifices of Southeast
Asian Americans to the United States.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 11, 2025
Mr. Tran (for himself, Ms. Meng, Ms. Barragan, Mr. Goldman of New York,
Ms. Chu, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, and Mr. Vargas) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian refugee
resettlement and the many contributions and sacrifices of Southeast
Asian Americans to the United States.
Whereas April 17, 2025, marks the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Khmer
Rouge's devastating reign in Cambodia, April 30, 2025, marks the 50th
anniversary of the fall of Saigon, December 2, 2025, marks the 50th
anniversary of the abolition of the Lao monarchy, and May 1, 2025, marks
the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the evacuation of Hmong, Lao,
and other Lao ethnic minorities from Laos;
Whereas 2025 commemorates the 50th year of the beginning of the resettlement of
Southeast Asian refugees to the United States;
Whereas Southeast Asian American refugees and their descendants comprise more
than 3,000,000 individuals in the United States, including Cham, Hmong,
Khmer, Khmer Kampuchea Krom, Khmer Loeu, Khmu, Lahu, Lao, Iu Mien,
Montagnards, Phutai, Pnong, Tai Dam, Tai Deng, Tai Lue, Vietnamese, and
ethnic Chinese with Southeast Asian heritage;
Whereas the Vietnamese from South Vietnam allied with the United States in
opposition to the expansion of communist North Vietnam;
Whereas tens of thousands of Vietnamese who served alongside the United States
sought refuge in the United States after the fall of Saigon on April 30,
1975, and hundreds of thousands more Vietnamese arrived in the United
States in the following decades to escape persecution and political
oppression;
Whereas the Central Intelligence Agency and other Federal agencies enlisted the
Hmong, Lao, and Laotian ethnic groups in Laos as allies to aid United
States forces in Southeast Asia, waging a 13-year covert operation
called the ``Secret Wars'' against the Pathet Lao, Viet Cong, and
Northern Vietnamese Army;
Whereas thousands of Cambodians assisted United States forces during United
States operations in Cambodia, including Operation Menu;
Whereas approximately 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 Cambodians were murdered during the
Khmer Rouge genocide between 1975 and 1979;
Whereas more than 3,000,000 individuals were displaced from Cambodia, Laos, and
Vietnam due to war, conflict, and genocide;
Whereas, between 1975 and the mid-2000s, the United States received more than
1,200,000 Southeast Asians escaping the aftermath of the Vietnam war,
persecution in Laos and Vietnam, and the Khmer Rouge genocide in
Cambodia;
Whereas, in 1975, Washington State Governor Daniel J. Evans was the first
governor to welcome refugees from Vietnam to the United States through a
program designed to resettle Vietnamese refugees;
Whereas, while the resettlement of Southeast Asian refugees throughout the
United States provided new opportunities, many individuals and families
encountered significant challenges due to lack of financial resources,
comprehensive support, and language barriers;
Whereas, even after 50 years, many Southeast Asian Americans still face
economic, educational, and linguistic barriers in the United States;
Whereas, as survivors of war and genocide, Southeast Asian Americans still face
unique health disparities, including higher rates of physical, mental,
and chronic health challenges, including more than 60 percent of
Cambodian refugees in the United States and a significant number of
other Southeast Asian Americans who continue to experience post-
traumatic stress disorder;
Whereas, as children of the survivors of war and genocide, first- and second-
generation Southeast Asian Americans have intergenerational, compounded
trauma that has created poor mental health conditions, educational
barriers, and immigration challenges, including some with removal
orders;
Whereas limited English proficiency rates for Southeast Asian Americans are
between 40 and 50 percent, and for elders, the rate of limited English
proficiency is as high as 90 percent;
Whereas, despite many challenges they have faced in the United States, Southeast
Asian Americans have thrived and contributed greatly to the economic,
educational, military, political, and social culture of the United
States since their resettlement;
Whereas Southeast Asian Americans serve at every level of United States
Government, including in Congress;
Whereas Southeast Asian American communities have established vibrant cultural
centers throughout every region across the United States; and
Whereas Southeast Asian Americans have strengthened the fabric of this Nation
through their resilience, hard work, and cultural richness by enhancing
our communities, enriching our economy, and helping build a more vibrant
and resilient country for all: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) commemorates the 50-year anniversary of the beginning
of the large-scale Southeast Asian refugee resettlement in the
United States;
(2) honors the sacrifices made by Southeast Asian American
communities on behalf of the United States, including all those
who served and who gave their lives;
(3) recognizes the contributions of Southeast Asian
Americans to the economic, military, political, and social
culture of the United States;
(4) continues to pursue comprehensive policies that ensure
opportunities for Southeast Asian American communities,
including in education and health; and
(5) affirms the United States commitment to embracing and
assisting refugees, immigrants, and naturalized United States
citizens in our communities.
<all>