Bill Text: MN SR20 | 2025-2026 | 94th Legislature | Draft
Bill Title: A Senate resolution honoring the memory of Richard "Paaj Yeeb" Her
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2025-03-20 - Referred to Rules and Administration [SR20 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2025-SR20-Draft.html
1.1A Senate resolution
1.2honoring the memory of Richard "Paaj Yeeb" Her.
1.3WHEREAS, Paaj Yeeb Her was born on March 20, 1947, in Naaj Mais, Laos, and has six
1.4brothers and five sisters. In 1965, Paaj Yeeb married Soua Vaaj and together they raised a family
1.5of 5 sons and 4 daughters. Their legacy includes 24 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; and
1.6WHEREAS, in August 1968, Paaj Yeeb enlisted in the Royal Lao Army under the Special
1.7Guerrilla Unit, where he ascended to the rank of captain by 1970. Throughout his service, he made
1.8personal sacrifices for the well-being of the Hmong people, often placing his duty above his own
1.9safety and time with his family; and
1.10WHEREAS, after the conclusion of the Secret War in Laos in 1975, Paaj Yeeb led his family
1.11across the Mekong River into Thailand, where they found safe haven in Naam Phoos and then Ban
1.12Vinai Refugee Camp. While in the camp, Paaj Yeeb took on numerous clandestine missions
1.13sanctioned by the Thai authority to rescue Laotian refugees to escape to Thailand; and
1.14WHEREAS, despite all the challenges Paaj Yeeb faced, he set his hopes on creating a better
1.15future for his family. On October 29, 1979, he immigrated to the United States of America and
1.16landed in Fresno, California; and
1.17WHEREAS, from 1980 to 1999, Paaj Yeeb lived in several cities, including Portland, Oregon,
1.18and Vancouver, Washington, before returning to Fresno. In 1999, he established roots in Hillsboro,
1.19Oregon, and remained there until his passing; and
1.20WHEREAS, Paaj Yeeb was a good leader and person of humility, compassion, and faith.
1.21He contributed to his neighborhood and the Hmong community, loved farming, and was a strong
1.22motivator for education; and
1.23WHEREAS, Paaj Yeeb's contributions to Hmong causes included supporting freedom fighter
1.24leader Pa Kao Her and securing his body and a resting place in the United States after his
1.25assassination in 2002; and
1.26WHEREAS, on February 16, 2025, Richard "Paaj Yeeb" Her passed away at the age of 77
1.27with his beloved family beside him; and
1.28NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
1.29honors Paaj Yeeb Her for his willingness to sacrifice and serve his country and to advance the
1.30causes of freedom, justice, and democracy.
1.31BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
1.32enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
1.33Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the family of Paaj Yeeb
1.34Her.
1.2honoring the memory of Richard "Paaj Yeeb" Her.
1.3WHEREAS, Paaj Yeeb Her was born on March 20, 1947, in Naaj Mais, Laos, and has six
1.4brothers and five sisters. In 1965, Paaj Yeeb married Soua Vaaj and together they raised a family
1.5of 5 sons and 4 daughters. Their legacy includes 24 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; and
1.6WHEREAS, in August 1968, Paaj Yeeb enlisted in the Royal Lao Army under the Special
1.7Guerrilla Unit, where he ascended to the rank of captain by 1970. Throughout his service, he made
1.8personal sacrifices for the well-being of the Hmong people, often placing his duty above his own
1.9safety and time with his family; and
1.10WHEREAS, after the conclusion of the Secret War in Laos in 1975, Paaj Yeeb led his family
1.11across the Mekong River into Thailand, where they found safe haven in Naam Phoos and then Ban
1.12Vinai Refugee Camp. While in the camp, Paaj Yeeb took on numerous clandestine missions
1.13sanctioned by the Thai authority to rescue Laotian refugees to escape to Thailand; and
1.14WHEREAS, despite all the challenges Paaj Yeeb faced, he set his hopes on creating a better
1.15future for his family. On October 29, 1979, he immigrated to the United States of America and
1.16landed in Fresno, California; and
1.17WHEREAS, from 1980 to 1999, Paaj Yeeb lived in several cities, including Portland, Oregon,
1.18and Vancouver, Washington, before returning to Fresno. In 1999, he established roots in Hillsboro,
1.19Oregon, and remained there until his passing; and
1.20WHEREAS, Paaj Yeeb was a good leader and person of humility, compassion, and faith.
1.21He contributed to his neighborhood and the Hmong community, loved farming, and was a strong
1.22motivator for education; and
1.23WHEREAS, Paaj Yeeb's contributions to Hmong causes included supporting freedom fighter
1.24leader Pa Kao Her and securing his body and a resting place in the United States after his
1.25assassination in 2002; and
1.26WHEREAS, on February 16, 2025, Richard "Paaj Yeeb" Her passed away at the age of 77
1.27with his beloved family beside him; and
1.28NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
1.29honors Paaj Yeeb Her for his willingness to sacrifice and serve his country and to advance the
1.30causes of freedom, justice, and democracy.
1.31BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
1.32enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
1.33Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the family of Paaj Yeeb
1.34Her.
| Tom BotternSecretary of the Senate | Foung HawjState Senator, District 67 |
| Erin P. MurphyChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration | Susan PhaState Senator, District 38 |
