Title
Honoring and recognizing the contributions of Pang Mang Thao in the City of Saint Paul on June 2, 2018.
Body
Whereas, Saturday, June 2, 2018 is the day the community is celebrating Pang Mang Thao’s accomplishments and years of service to the Hmong American immigrant community; and
Whereas, Pang Mang Thao was born on April 14th, 1949, in Nabn-Casn, Laos; and
Whereas, Pang Mang has dedicated all his life to helping and supporting the St. Paul Hmong American community and the United States’ Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) Veterans; and
Whereas, his leadership started at a young age of 14, serving as a mediator in the village of Nabn-Khuam, Laos; and
Whereas, in 1968-1975 he served as a teacher in the village of Son Nieng, Laos, but decided to join the SGU in support of the United States effort to stop the spread of communism in Laos; and
Whereas, after the Vietnam War ended in 1975, in fear of persecution, Pang Mang and his family escaped into the jungles of Laos for four years until they arrived to the Ban Vinai Camp in Thailand; and
Whereas, they struggled to sustain life in the refugee camp and seized the opportunity to resettle in Saint Paul, MN in 1980; and
Whereas, after the resettlement in Saint Paul, Pang Mang continued to engage and support refugees to become an active part of the community; and
Whereas, he continued to serve his community tirelessly by volunteering with several organizations, including Roosevelt Public Housing, Hmong Thao-Kue Clan, Saint Paul Public Schools, and Democratic Farm-Labor Party; and
Whereas, his work on the Lao Veterans of America, Minnesota resulted in a Lao Veterans of America Monument, to recognize Lao and Hmong Veterans at the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C.; and
Whereas, Pang Mang co-led many movements that advocated for Hmong American SGU Veteran rights, including the Hmong Veterans’ Service Recognition Act, passed by Congress on March 23rd, 2018; and
Now Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the ...
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