I am pleased that Senators Wellstone and Feingold have been able to accommodate the concerns of the majority and that we have H.R. 371 before us today for action. But I am disappointed that the majority made it impossible to report this bill last week, when we were joined in this room by many of the brave soldiers whom this bill would benefit. Instead of working out its concerns with the bill’s sponsors in advance, the majority insisted upon an 11th-hour amendment, an amendment that – in violation of normal practice – was not distributed to members of this Committee. This conduct came only a week after the majority objected to an attempt to pass the House bill on the floor – an attempt that was cleared by every Senator on my side of the aisle.

As a cosponsor of S.890, the Senate counterpart to the bill passed by the House, I strongly support H.R. 371, the Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act of 2000. The amendments that are being offered today are minor in nature and should not affect the purpose or impact of the bill.

The beneficiaries of this bill are guerrilla soldiers – and their spouses and widows – who were our allies in Laos during the Vietnam War. Many of these soldiers came to the United States with their families after the war and have contributed to the American economy through their labor and by paying taxes. In every sense, they have paid their dues. Many of them have wanted to become American citizens for a long time, but their cultural background has made it particularly difficult for them to fulfill the normal citizenship requirements.

Until quite recently, the Hmong had no written language. This lack of experience with written language has made it more difficult for the Hmong veterans who have moved to the United States to learn English, which in turn makes it more difficult for them to obtain citizenship. This bill would waive the English language requirement and provide special consideration for the civics requirement for Hmong veterans and their spouses and widows. It is a small concession to make in return for the great sacrifices that these men made in fighting for the American cause in Southeast Asia.

I will continue to do all that I can to help Congressman Vento, Senator Wellstone, and Senator Feingold achieve final passage and recognize the Hmong veterans’ service to the United States.