Gov. Tony Evers signed new, bipartisan legislation on Thursday requiring schools to include education on the contributions and history of Hmong Americans and Asian Americans in Wisconsin.
The bill was signed during an all-school assembly in the gymnasium of G.D. Jones Elementary School in Wausau alongside local and state officials including Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg,
“The Hmong and Asian American communities are a critical part of our state’s history, culture, economy, and our future. It’s important that we celebrate our shared histories and honor the people who help make Wisconsin the state it is today,” said Gov. Evers. “I’ve been proud to sign several key pieces of bipartisan legislation into law to recognize the contributions Hmong and Asian American folks have made to our state and our country, and this bill builds upon those efforts, ensuring the histories and stories of Hmong and Asian American communities are part of state curriculum for future generations.”
Wisconsin is home to the third-largest Hmong population in the United States.
The current law requires Wisconsin K-12 schools to teach Black American, Hispanic American, and Native American history. Act 266 adds Hmong and Asian American histories to this required curriculum, promoting greater awareness and understanding among Wisconsin students of the histories, cultures, and traditions of these diverse communities in Wisconsin.
Gov. Evers has also proclaimed April “Hmong Heritage Month” in accordance with national observances.
