Source: SuabHmong Radio

http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=9d4de22d1f308d3c7c21608fe4e6791a

On May 6, 2004 SuabHmong Radio reported, " Milwuakee is home to approximately 20,000 Hmong, a nomadic tribe that emigrated from Laos in the Vietnam War's aftermath. Here in the United States, Hmong are discovering that their traditional, clan-based system of leadership can benefit U.S.-style grassroots politicking. Tens of thousands of Hmong left Laos in the 1970s and 1980s after losing a war in which they were covertly recruited to serve alongside the U.S. military. Here in the United States, many were naturalized as U.S. citizens after the Lao-Veterans bill, introduced in 1996, expedited the process for those who had served or been disabled in that war. Since gaining citizenship, Hmong have begun to exercise their voting rights. This year marked a political rite of passage for Milwaukee area Hmong working on Republican State Sen. Bob Welch’s campaign for the U.S. Senate. He will compete in the Republican primary scheduled for September. Wisconsin is home to approximately 40,000 Hmong."