Bill Overview
Title: Hmong Congressional Gold Medal Act
Description: This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to the Hmong people in recognition of their highly distinguished service in the Vietnam War and the fight against communism.
Sponsors: Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6]
Target Audience
Population: Hmong people
Estimated Size: 300000
- Hmong people involved in or with heritage linked to the Vietnam War are the primary focus, due to their historical involvement.
- Recognition acts like this often influence the larger community associated with the recognized group, in this case, the global Hmong community.
- The Hmong population in Laos, where many Hmong served in the Vietnam War, will feel direct recognition and honor.
- Hmong diaspora communities around the world, particularly in countries that accepted Hmong refugees after the Vietnam War, will also be significantly impacted.
Reasoning
- The Hmong Congressional Gold Medal Act primarily targets the Hmong population in the U.S., recognizing their contributions during the Vietnam War. The policy's impact will be most significant among Hmong veterans and their families due to its symbolic recognition, boosting their community pride and collective well-being.
- The U.S. has a notable Hmong population from refugee resettlements, primarily in Minnesota, Wisconsin, California, and some communities in North Carolina and elsewhere. Recognition acts like this tend to enhance the well-being of the recognized community and their descendants.
- Cost considerations are critical. With a total budget of $600,000 over ten years, primarily intended for the creation and distribution of a single medal and associated ceremonies, direct economic benefits to individuals or communities are unlikely. The impact relates more to symbolic recognition rather than financial gain.
- Some Americans outside the Hmong community might be indifferent or hold varying perspectives, either supportive due to acknowledgment of allied contributions, or indifferent due to lesser personal connection.
- For Hmong Americans, this policy will enhance cultural pride, foster recognition, and possibly improve feelings of integration and acknowledgment in society. For non-Hmong individuals, impact will likely be minimal unless directly involved in veteran affairs or have a keen interest in the historic aspects of the Vietnam War.
Simulated Interviews
Retired Veteran (Minneapolis, MN)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’ve waited years for our service to be recognized.
- This medal means our sacrifices are acknowledged, though I wish it came with more educational programs about our history.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Community Organizer (Sacramento, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our cultural history is often overlooked. This act is a step towards wider acknowledgment.
- I hope it leads to more educational efforts in schools about Hmong history.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Teacher (Green Bay, WI)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This feels like a step in the right direction, but broader educational reform is needed.
- We need to ensure younger generations understand the significance of this medal.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Small Business Owner (Fresno, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a business owner, I see this recognition generating more interest in Hmong culture, which is beneficial.
- I’m hopeful it will spark more community support and engagement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired (Sheboygan, WI)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’m proud of our community for receiving this honor. It’s long overdue.
- While it doesn’t change my daily life, it reinforces our history for my children.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Social Worker (St. Paul, MN)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a good start, but our community needs more systemic support and resources.
- This will hopefully raise awareness, stimulating bigger movements for our community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
College Student (Milwaukee, WI)
Age: 21 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hadn’t known much about the Hmong's contributions before. This act intrigues me to learn more.
- Hopefully, it leads to better educational material in our curriculum.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Nurse (Merced, CA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a proud moment for our family, acknowledging my parents' struggles.
- I hope Hmong youth use this as motivation to preserve our culture.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Veterans Affairs Officer (San Diego, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Seeing the recognition for Hmong allies is both heartening and deserved.
- It sets a precedent for appreciating diverse contributions to U.S. military efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cultural Anthropologist (Charlotte, NC)
Age: 43 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The medal is a victory for Hmong recognition but is just the tip of the iceberg for broader Hmong cultural integration.
- I'm optimistic it will encourage more academic and public discourse on Hmong history.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $300000 (Low: $200000, High: $400000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The bill's primary purpose is symbolic recognition, rather than economic impact.
- There will be logistics and ceremonial costs associated with the award presentation.
- Public and community engagement through educational and historical documentation will likely follow the award, albeit with minor fiscal impact.