Capitol Words a project of the Sunlight Foundation

Rep. Sean Duffy

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the important role of the Hmong community in Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District.

This month marks 36 years since the first Hmong family arrived in Marathon County, Wisconsin and, currently, the Hmong account for a major percentage of our area's population. For the past 8 years, our local community has come together annually for Hmong Heritage Month, during which we celebrate the contributions of this important group and educate our residents about Hmong history and culture.

During the Vietnam War, the Hmong stood shoulder to shoulder with U.S. troops in the fight against Communism. Today, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the Hmong in our schools, our churches, and our businesses.

The Hmong have an old saying, ``To be with a family is to be happy. To be without a family is to be lost.'' I truly believe the Hmong are a vital part of our American family, and their contributions to our society make us stronger.

I am proud to represent this community in the United States Congress and I wish them well as we celebrate Hmong Heritage Month.