Text Box: City of San Jose

Black April Remembrance 2003

Proclamation

 

WHEREAS: Refugees from the Republic of Vietnam who emigrated to the United States of America and settled in San Jose as free Vietnamese people should be honored and remembered for their sacrifices for freedom and human rights in Vietnam and for their contributions to the United States; and

 

WHEREAS: San Jose is home to one of the largest Vietnamese-American populations in the United States; and

 

WHEREAS: The former flag of Vietnam, which consists of three horizontal stripes of red upon a field of gold, represents the free Vietnamese people, their culture, and their long history that is celebrated and honored; and

 

WHEREAS: Free Vietnamese people annually commemorate April 30th as “Black April Remembrance Day” to remind our community to remain vigilant in opposition to tyranny in all its forms, to actively support human rights for all peoples, and to celebrate the principles of democracy, justice, and tolerance by which our nation was founded;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ron Gonzalez, Mayor of San Jose, together with Councilmembers Chuck Reed and, Terry Gregory along with our colleagues on the City Council, do hereby proclaim April 30, 2003 as

 

BLACK APRIL REMEMBRANCE DAY 2003

 

in San Jose, and furthermore, the City of San Jose recognizes the former flag of Vietnam as the flag of free Vietnamese people that may be displayed on any City-owned property at any City-sponsored Vietnamese-American event, subject to the permit requirements of the City.

 

Ron Gonzales

The Honorable Ron Gonzales, Mayor

 

Chuck Reed

Councilmember

 

Terry Gregory

Councilmember