Bill Text: MN SR63 | 2023-2024 | 93rd Legislature | Draft
Bill Title: A Senate resolution honoring the lives of Song Ying Xiong and Phoua Vang
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-12 - Referred to Rules and Administration [SR63 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2023-SR63-Draft.html
1.1A Senate resolution
1.2honoring the lives of Song Ying Xiong and Phoua Vang.
1.3WHEREAS, Song Ying Xiong was born November 3, 1945, in Phavloom, Xiengkhouang,
1.4Laos, and went to school at the age of 11. He married Phoua Vang, born October 24, 1948, in March
1.5of 1966. They have eight children and 11 grandchildren; and
1.6WHEREAS, Song fought for and served the United States of America in the Vietnam War
1.7in the Secret War in Laos for 14 years (1961-1975), ultimately attaining the rank of lieutenant,
1.8while Phoua worked hard on the hillside as a farm girl; and
1.9WHEREAS, Song served in the Special Guerilla Unit (SGU) Battalion 201 in an
1.10administrative capacity because of his ability to read and write in French and Lao. At the Office of
1.11Logistics and Supplies, Song was responsible for recording and administering funds to support
1.12women and children. After completing military intelligence training, Song was assigned to SGU
1.13Office Two, which consisted of the combined Battalions 201, 202 and 203; and
1.14WHEREAS, Song was wounded in action in 1971 when Longtien was attacked. The couple
1.15left Laos for Thailand in May of 1975, fleeing government persecution. They were sponsored to
1.16move to the United States in 1976 by the Faith Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Indiana, and in
1.171979 they relocated to Kansas City, Kansas, where they lived the rest of their lives. They worked
1.18hard at factory jobs to provide for their family and were contributing members to the
1.19Hmong-American community in Kansas City; and
1.20WHEREAS, as a friend to both Song and Phoua, Senator Foung Hawj sent his condolences
1.21to the Xiong family when, on Sunday, September 17, 2023, Song and Phoua passed away together
1.22in a car accident. They are survived by their loving family and many friends and relatives; and
1.23NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
1.24honors the exemplary lives and contributions of Phoua Vang and Song Ying Xiong.
1.25BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
1.26enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
1.27Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the Xiong family.
1.2honoring the lives of Song Ying Xiong and Phoua Vang.
1.3WHEREAS, Song Ying Xiong was born November 3, 1945, in Phavloom, Xiengkhouang,
1.4Laos, and went to school at the age of 11. He married Phoua Vang, born October 24, 1948, in March
1.5of 1966. They have eight children and 11 grandchildren; and
1.6WHEREAS, Song fought for and served the United States of America in the Vietnam War
1.7in the Secret War in Laos for 14 years (1961-1975), ultimately attaining the rank of lieutenant,
1.8while Phoua worked hard on the hillside as a farm girl; and
1.9WHEREAS, Song served in the Special Guerilla Unit (SGU) Battalion 201 in an
1.10administrative capacity because of his ability to read and write in French and Lao. At the Office of
1.11Logistics and Supplies, Song was responsible for recording and administering funds to support
1.12women and children. After completing military intelligence training, Song was assigned to SGU
1.13Office Two, which consisted of the combined Battalions 201, 202 and 203; and
1.14WHEREAS, Song was wounded in action in 1971 when Longtien was attacked. The couple
1.15left Laos for Thailand in May of 1975, fleeing government persecution. They were sponsored to
1.16move to the United States in 1976 by the Faith Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Indiana, and in
1.171979 they relocated to Kansas City, Kansas, where they lived the rest of their lives. They worked
1.18hard at factory jobs to provide for their family and were contributing members to the
1.19Hmong-American community in Kansas City; and
1.20WHEREAS, as a friend to both Song and Phoua, Senator Foung Hawj sent his condolences
1.21to the Xiong family when, on Sunday, September 17, 2023, Song and Phoua passed away together
1.22in a car accident. They are survived by their loving family and many friends and relatives; and
1.23NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
1.24honors the exemplary lives and contributions of Phoua Vang and Song Ying Xiong.
1.25BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
1.26enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
1.27Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the Xiong family.
| Tom BotternSecretary of the Senate | Kari DziedzicChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration |
| Foung HawjState Senator, District 67 |
