H.Res. 948

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 948 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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.
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