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Recognizing the life of Tswv Mas Donald Yang for his contributions to Saint Paul and Proclaiming Sunday, May 31, 2026, as Tswv Mas Donald Yang Day in the City of Saint Paul.
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WHEREAS, Tswv Mas Donald Yang was born on May 5, 1950, to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Xhiav Tshob Yang, as the youngest son among five brothers and two sisters. His grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Tshuas Lwm Yang; and
WHEREAS, he pursued his post-secondary education at College Sam Thong, located in the town of Sam Thong in Xiangkhouang Province, Laos, laying the foundation for a lifelong belief in the importance of learning and education; and
WHEREAS, he later married his beloved wife, Ma Alice Vue Yang, in 1970, forming a steadfast partnership grounded in love, endurance, and shared sacrifice, as she too served with distinction as a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) nurse in Military Region II of Laos during the 1960s and 1970s, providing critical care to soldiers and civilians during a time of war; and
WHEREAS, during the Vietnam War era, he courageously served in support of the United States’ efforts through USAID, contributing to Civil Operations and Rural Development Support (CORDS), providing humanitarian aid, logistics, and medical assistance to Hmong soldiers and their families during the Secret War in Laos, including work connected to Operation Momentum and efforts based in Sam Thong (LS-20); and
WHEREAS, following the war and in pursuit of freedom and opportunity, he and his family immigrated to the United States in 1976, first settling in Arlington, Ohio, and later in Toledo, Ohio, embodying the resilience and sacrifice of refugee families seeking a better future; and
WHEREAS, through extraordinary determination and work ethic, he labored tirelessly to provide for his family by working multiple jobs simultaneously as an English As A Second Language teacher in the Toledo Public School District, a small business owner operating a bait and tackle shop from his garage, and a night janitor at Toledo Screw Products; and
WHEREAS, in the mid-1980s, he relocated to Detroit, Michigan where he dedicated himself fully to entrepreneurship, founded Chu’s Oriental Store, one of the first successful Hmong grocery stores in the region and later established Don’s Wholesale Bait, a thriving business that became one of the largest Hmong employers of its time, providing meaningful employment opportunities-particularly uplifting elders and women within the community; and
WHEREAS, in the year 2000, he made Saint Paul, Minnesota-specifically the East Side-his home, contributing to the vibrancy, cultural richness, and economic strength of the city’s Hmong and immigrant communities; and
WHEREAS, he held an unwavering belief in the transformative power of education, viewing higher education as the cornerstone of the American Dream-an opportunity he was denied in his youth but passionately championed for his children, grandchildren, and community; and
WHEREAS, his legacy lives on through his family, including his beloved wife of 56 years, Alice Vue Yang; his eldest son, Dr. Bobby K. Tooj Khwb Yang who is a Medical Doctor and physician dedicated to serving low-income patients in the Twin Cities; his late daughter, Linda May Ntsuab Yang, a Certified Nursing Assistant who devoted her life to caring for others; and his youngest son, Attorney Paul Yang (XeevPaul Yaj), a Juris Doctor and a respected attorney serving the Twin Cities community; and
WHEREAS, Tswv Mas Donald Yang passed away on March 10, 2026, leaving behind a profound legacy of service, sacrifice, entrepreneurship, and an enduring commitment to family, community, and education; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Saint Paul City Council hereby celebrates and honors the life, legacy, and lasting contributions of Tswv Mas Donald Yang; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Saint Paul City Council hereby proclaims Sunday, May 31, 2026, as Tswv Mas Donald Yang Day in the City of Saint Paul.