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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11. 20-101 MARCH 10, 2020 20-101 RESOLUTION (CARRIED 6-0 LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN ) PURPOSE: RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH WISCONSIN, EXPRESSING CONCERN OVER POSSIBLE FEDERAL ACTION TO DEPORT HMONG AND LAO RESIDENTS INITIATED BY: LORI PALMERI, MAYOR BOB POESCHL, COUNCIL PERSON Whereas, the Oshkosh area and Winnebago County is home to over 2,000 Hmong and Lao residents as of the 2010 census; and Whereas,the United States offered protection to its Hmong and Lao allies and their families following their assistance with United States military efforts in the 1970s; and Whereas, the Hmong community has become a part of the Greater Oshkosh community, providing significant contributions to our economic and cultural life; and Whereas, 43% of the Hmong workforce have jobs in the Wisconsin manufacturing sector, filling a significant workforce need in our economy; and Whereas, the success of the Hmong community is a model for refugee groups to assimilate into the United States; and Whereas, there is still fear and uncertainty in the Hmong community, which is exacerbated by the belief that Hmong residents may be deported and repatriated to their former country for prior criminal actions; and Whereas, the City Of Oshkosh is concerned that discussion of federal involvement in deporting Hmong residents may continue fear and uncertainty in the Hmong community. MARCH 10, 2020 20-101 RESOLUTION CONT'D Whereas, such fear may result in a lack of participation by the Hmong community in the 2020 census, impacting federal aid to Oshkosh, and may also result in a lack of participation in local, state, and federal elections; and Whereas, Oshkosh has a record of being a welcoming and inclusive community; and Now therefore be resolved by the common Council of the City of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, that the City of Oshkosh hereby opposes the deportation and repatriation of Hmong and Lao residents; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is hereby directed to forward copies of this resolution to the appropriate state and federal legislators to express their concerns on this issue. gay_f�4 Hmong Service Center, Inc. P.O.Box 2273 Oshkosh, WI 54903 noJ March 5, 2020 Oshkosh Common Council 215 Church Avenue Oshkosh, WI 54901 Dear Common Council Members, On behalf of the Hmong Service Center, Inc., I am writing this letter to support the Oshkosh Common Council's resolution concerning federal policy to deport the Hmong and Lao back to their native country, Laos. In June of 1980, Oshkosh was home to the first Hmong family. Today, Oshkosh is home to approximately 200 Hmong families,the largest minority group in the city. The Hmong was a highland ethnic group in Laos since the late 1800's. Due to racial differences, the Hmong were not well liked by the Lao government. With their knowledge and skills in the jungles and mountains, the United States CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) recruited the Hmong from 1964- 1973 to fight a Secret War in Laos, defending their homeland from being taken over by the communist North Vietnam and rescuing American pilots who were shot down on enemy territory.The United States promised to protect the Hmong. After nine years,some 30,000 Hmong died as a result of this Secret War.The Hmong paid a high price for allying with the United States as they became the target of persecution after the United States pulled out and Laos fell to the hands of the communist North Vietnam. Unlike some other groups,the Hmong had no choice but to leave their homeland or die. From 1975 to the late 1980's, thousands of Hmong made their long journey on foot across the thick jungles and mountains, crossing the Mekong River where hundreds and thousands lost their lives, sometimes an entire family. Those who survived were eventually resettled legally under refugee programs to several countries around the world, including the United States. The Hmong did not have a written language until the early 1950's. Prior to 1975,there was only one Hmong doctorate in the world. By 2015,there were over 700 Hmong doctorates in the United States. Hundreds and thousands of young Hmong men and women received their college degrees and have entered professional workforces. Small Hmong businesses have been growing and thriving in the state and elsewhere. A high percentage of Hmong families are homeowners in Wisconsin and other states. The Hmong have made the United States their new country and home for the last 45 years. Returning any Hmong or Lao residents back to Laos is sending him or her to be tortured and die. It is very important that the Oshkosh Common Council passes this resolution to address the safety concerns over federal deportation policy and action against Hmong and Lao residents. CSincerely, Mee Yang Board President Hmong Service Center, Inc.