1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to state government; establishing a new state holiday to recognize 
1.3 	Hmong-Lao veterans and their allies who assisted the United States during the 
1.4 	Vietnam War;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 10.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [10.5805] HMONG-LAO VETERAN MEMORIAL DAY; STATEMENT 
1.7 	OF PURPOSE.
1.8 	May 14 of each year is designated as Hmong-Lao Veteran Memorial Day in honor of 
1.9 	all Southeast Asians, Americans, and their allies who served, suffered, sacrificed, or died 
1.10 	in the Secret War in Laos during the Vietnam War in the years 1961 to 1975 in support of 
1.11 	the armed forces of the United States, and in recognition of the significance of May 14, 
1.12 	1975, the last day of airlift evacuation of officers and their families from the covert 
1.13 	headquarters in Long Tieng, Laos, to the Nam Phong refugee camp in Thailand. At least 
1.14 	35,000 Hmong lost their lives protecting American troops. Schools are encouraged to read 
1.15 	about Hmong history or the passage above to students in honor of this day on May 14 or, 
1.16 	if May 14 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, on the Friday preceding May 14. Businesses may 
1.17 	close in honor of this day and an employee may request the day off without pay in observance 
1.18 	of this day with two weeks' notice to the employer. The governor may order the American 
1.19 	flag and Minnesota flag flown on the grounds of the Capitol area to be flown at half-staff 
1.20 	on May 14. Local governments, private businesses, and public and private schools are 
1.21 	encouraged to fly American and Minnesota flags at half-staff on May 14.