Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 115 Part 3.djvu/460

 115 STAT. 2534 CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS—DEC. 10, 2001 Whereas the Lao-Hmong, although outnumbered, fought against enemy forces to disrupt the flow of troops and war supplies along the Ho Chi Minh Trail; Whereas the Lao-Hmong protected United States personnel, guarded United States Air Force radar installations, gathered critical intelligence about enemy operations, and undertook rescue missions to save the lives of downed United States pilots; Whereas more than 35,000 of the Lao-Hmong lost their lives defending the democratic way of life, and many more were seriously injured and disabled; Whereas thousands of Lao-Hmong suffered grievous injuries and permanent disabilities, and thousands more were captured and sent to Communist concentration camps; Whereas after the conclusion of the war, many Lao-Hmong soldiers were the victims of acts of retribution and atrocities by the Pathet Lao, causing many of the Lao-Hmong to flee to neighboring Thailand and become refugees; and Whereas beginning with the City Council of Golden, Colorado, in 1995, various State and local governments have issued proclamations declaring July 22 as Lao-Hmong Recognition Day, and the issuance of a Presidential proclamation supporting the goals of Lao-Hmong Recognition Day would recognize the bravery, sacrifice, and loyalty to the United States exhibited by the Lao- Hmong in Southeast Asia: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that the President should issue a proclamation— (1) supporting the goals of Lao-Hmong Recognition Day; and (2) calling on the people of the United States to recognize the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the Lao- Hmong with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Agreed to December 10, 2001. AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 587 CRASH VICTIMS Dec. 10, 2001 AND HEROES—CONDOLENCES AND [H.Con.Res.272] COMMENDATIONS Whereas American Airlines Flight 587 en route from John F. Kennedy Airport in Queens County, New York, to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, crashed on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens County, New York, on November 12, 2001; Whereas the crash resulted in a tragic loss of life estimated at 265 individuals, including passengers, crew members, and people on the ground; Whereas New York City has strong cultural, familial, and historic ties to the Dominican Republic; Whereas many of the passengers of American Airlines Flight 587 were of Dominican origin and resided in the Washington Heights community, a vibrant neighborhood which is an integral part of our national cultural mosaic;

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