The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Senate section on pages S2935-S2937 on May 14, 2015.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. TILLIS (for himself, Mr. Burr, Mr. Kaine, and Mr. Warner):
S. 1348. A bill to amend the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 with respect to high priority corridors on the National Highway System, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Mr. TILLIS. Mr. President, I am introducing the Route to Opportunity and Development Act of 2015, which would amend the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, ISTEA, of 1991 to begin the process toward eventually making the Raleigh to Norfolk Corridor in North Carolina and Virginia part of the Interstate system, and to help fully upgrade the corridor to interstate standards. My colleagues, Senator Richard Burr, Senator Tim Kaine, and Senator Mark Warner have agreed to cosponsor the bill. In addition, Congressman G.K. Butterfield has introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives.
The Route to Opportunity and Development Act of 2015 would designate the following as high priority: the Raleigh-Norfolk Corridor from Raleigh, NC, through Rocky Mount, Williamston, and Elizabeth City, NC, to Norfolk, VA.
If the Raleigh-Norfolk corridor becomes part of the Interstate system, it would connect vital centers of commerce in the Raleigh and Norfolk/Hampton Roads region. Raleigh and Hampton Roads are two of the largest east coast metropolitan regions served by a single primary interstate route and this act proposes a second primary interstate route for the two areas.
This act helps advance the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Strategic Transportation Corridors Vision, which aims to provide North Carolina with a network of high priority corridors to promote economic development and enhance interstate commerce. It is also an important part of the future vision for transportation in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Federal High Priority Corridors are eligible for Federal funds to assist states in the coordination, planning, design and construction of nationally significant transportation corridors for the purposes of economic growth and international and interregional growth.
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By Mr. McCONNELL:
S. 1357. A bill to extend authority relating to roving surveillance, access to business records, and individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 until July 31, 2015, and for other purposes; read the first time.
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 1357
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY UNDER THE FOREIGN
INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT OF 1978.
(a) Roving Surveillance and Access to Business Records.--Section 102(b)(1) of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 (50 U.S.C. 1805 note) is amended by striking ``June 1, 2015'' and inserting ``July 31, 2015''.
(b) Individual Terrorists as Agents of Foreign Powers.--Section 6001(b)(1) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (50 U.S.C. 1801 note) is amended by striking ``June 1, 2015'' and inserting ``July 31, 2015''.
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By Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Sullivan, Mr.
Franken, and Mr. Whitehouse):
S. 1358. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to inter in national cemeteries individuals who supported the United States in Laos during the Vietnam War era; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, today, I am reintroducing a piece of legislation which I strongly believe in and know that it is long overdue. The Hmong Veterans' Service Recognition Act is a bill to authorize the interment in national cemeteries of Hmong veterans who served in support of U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. I, along with a bipartisan group of colleagues, Senators Klobuchar, Sullivan, Franken, and Whitehouse believe this is an appropriate honor.
Public Law 106-207, The Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000 already acknowledges Hmong Special Guerilla Unit's contributions during Vietnam and recognizes the service of Hmong Special Guerilla Unit veterans for the purpose of naturalization. Today we try to write the next chapter for these brave veterans and grant them the one right they are requesting, to be buried in our U.S. national cemeteries.
The Hmong were ideal candidates for America's secret war--they were fighters known for their bravery and warrior traditions who knew the rocky mountain terrain of Northern Laos very well. The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency conducted covert operations in Laos which employed some 60,000 Hmong volunteers in Special Guerilla Units. The Hmong Fighters interrupted operations on the Ho Chi Minh trail and assisted in downed aircraft recovery operations of American Airmen. In Laos, they valiantly fought the Vietnamese and Laotian Communists for over a decade and were critical to America's war efforts in Vietnam.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. More than 35,000 Hmong lost their lives and many more were injured and disabled. I would like to recognize several Hmong Combat Veterans who live in Alaska. Lieutenant Pasert Lee from Mountain View in Achorage, AK, was injured in 1972 when his bunker was bombed while providing radio support for American jets in Laos. He recovered after several days, made his way to a refugee camp and many years later he was able to come to America. Lieutenant Wilson Chong Neng Vang, Sergeant Tong Pao Less and Sergeant Xia Ger Vang reside in Anchorage, AK, and are recognized for their selfless service in the U.S. Secret Army, Kingdom of Laos.
There are currently over 260,000 Hmong people in America and according to the 2010 Census, the heaviest concentrations are in California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Michigan, Colorado, Georgia, Oklahoma, Oregon, and my home state of Alaska. Of the Hmong who became U.S. citizens, approximately 6,000 veterans are still with us today, and they deserve the choice to be buried in national cemeteries.
This concept is not without precedent. Currently, burial benefits are available for Philippine Armed Forces veterans who answered the call to serve during World War II, just like the Hmong. This legislation would not grant the small group of Hmong veterans full veteran benefits, but would simply authorize their interment in national cemeteries across the Nation. A small, but deserved token of appreciation and an appropriate honor for their sacrifices towards a common goal of democracy and freedom in the world.
I believe it is time to recognize the Hmong-American's bravery, sacrifice and loyalty to the United States. We would like to honor the Hmong Special Guerilla Unit Veterans' service and sacrifices by allowing them to be buried alongside their brothers in arms in our national cemeteries. Again, I appreciate the support of my colleagues who have joined me to introduce this legislation and look forward to working with them and others in the Senate to finally getting this approved into law.
Mr. FRANKEN. Mr. President, today marks the 40th anniversary of the beginning of the forced exit of many members of the Hmong community from Laos following the U.S. withdrawal of troops from Vietnam. Tens of thousands of the Hmong came to my State of Minnesota, and today in Minnesota, we are honoring this anniversary with Hmong American Day. I am proud to join my State in recognizing the remarkable service of those who fought on our behalf, and in celebrating the contributions of Hmong Americans to our shared community over the last 40 years.
The way I like to explain to people why there are so many Hmong Americans in Minnesota is by telling them that there are many fewer American names on the Vietnam War Memorial because of what the Hmong did for us during the ``secret war.'' Many people in America still do not realize that. But as the permanent memorial at Arlington says about the Hmong fighters and their American advisors: ``Their patriotic valor and loyalty in the defense of liberty and democracy will never be forgotten.'' In Minnesota, we recognize the remarkable service the Hmong fighters performed for our country, and we will never forget.
The Senate resolution I am proud to join Senator Hirono and many of our colleagues in introducing in recognition of May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month states, ``the actions of the Hmong in Laos in support of the United States during the Vietnam War saves the lives of countless people of the United States.'' The Hmong fought on our behalf and saved American lives. But as the new communist regime took control in Laos, the Hmong were forced to begin their journey as refugees. For many, this journey would eventually end in Minnesota. Today, the vibrant Hmong American community in the Twin Cities--the largest urban Hmong community in the country--and throughout Minnesota is tens of thousands strong and is woven into the fabric of our society.
You can see their tremendous contribution to American life every day in the many small businesses started by Hmong Americans on University Avenue, or at Hmong Village. You can see it in all the ways that Hmong Americans have brought their culture to the United States and helped to shape the culture of today's Minnesota. I also remain incredibly proud that Minnesota can boast that we had the Nation's very first Hmong American State legislator with my good friend Mee Moua, who has become a national leader on Asian American issues. I am glad others have followed in her wake.
Representing the Hmong American community in the Senate is an important part of my job. That is why I am a cosponsor of a bill being reintroduced by Senator Murkowski of Alaska along with my fellow Minnesota Senator, Senator Klobuchar, to make sure that Hmong fighters in the ``secret war'' can be honored with burial in our national cemeteries. The Hmong Americans who fought for us deserve nothing less. It is also why I traveled to Laos several years ago to engage the Lao Government directly on protecting the Hmong people, including refugees who had been forcibly repatriated to Laos from Thailand.
And it is why I fight for the Hmong Americans of Minnesota every day in the Senate. Hmong Americans want the same things that all Americans want--good-paying jobs, a bright future for their children, excellent health care. It is my job to help make sure those things are within everyone's reach.
The Hmong American community has come through so much adversity as they left Laos and as they resettled in America, and they faced that adversity with resilience and courage. They serve as an inspiration to us all.
We are so proud that the Hmong American community is part of the Minnesota--and the American--community. I am very pleased to join Minnesota in celebrating Hmong American Day--to celebrate the community's achievements and to commemorate the sacrifices of their loved ones in support of American troops so many years ago.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 1358
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Hmong Veterans' Service Recognition Act''.
SEC. 2. ELIGIBILITY FOR INTERMENT IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES.
(a) In General.--Section 2402(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(10) Any individual--
``(A) who--
``(i) was naturalized pursuant to section 2(1) of the Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-207; 8 U.S.C. 1423 note); and
``(ii) at the time of the individual's death resided in the United States; or
``(B) who--
``(i) the Secretary determines served with a special guerrilla unit or irregular forces operating from a base in Laos in support of the Armed Forces of the United States at any time during the period beginning February 28, 1961, and ending May 7, 1975; and
``(ii) at the time of the individual's death--
``(I) was a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; and
``(II) resided in the United States.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to an individual dying on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
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