Milpitas recognizes former flag
as symbol of Vietnamese residents

Jay Peeples
Milpitas Post
Friday, May 09, 2003 -

To cheers and jubilation in a packed Milpitas City Council Chambers, the council unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam as the flag of the Vietnamese-American community in California. The resolution also authorized the display of the flag as part of flag ceremonies at the city's ceremonial flag poles at the Higuera Adobe and Milpitas City Hall.

Attendees toting small and large versions of the gold flag with three horizontal stripes overflowed the council chambers, crowding city hall's lobby and first-floor conference room, where the meeting was broadcast. During discussion on the item, audience members waved flags and chanted in support of the resolution.

Placed on the agenda by Mayor Jose Esteves and Councilmember Armando Gomez, the resolution is intended to honor the contributions of Vietnamese-Americans and the significance of the country's former flag to them.

"This flag represents a struggle against an oppressive government by both Vietnamese and American forces," Gomez said.

Following the Vietnam War, the country's flag was changed to a red flag with a yellow star in the center, representative of the country's communist government.

Councilmember Bob Livengood said the item's approval also solidifies the council's policy on foreign flags. The council previously approved the Higuera Adobe and four flag poles to the east of city for ceremonial purposes.

"I'm very proud of the Vietnamese-American community here in this city," Livengood said.

Mayor Esteves said it was important for Milpitas to be the first city in Northern California to adopt such a resolution and support a pending state Assembly bill that would grant the flag the same rights statewide.

"The City of Milpitas, including myself here, we really want to be the lead with respect to this issue. We want to be the lead among cities and counties in Northern California to be more serious about this issue," Esteves said.

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Resolution No. 7300

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MILPITAS

SUPPORTING AND ENDORSING A.C.R. No 68

 

 

WHEREAS, Vietnamese-Americans should be honored and remembered for their sacrifices for freedom and human rights and for their contributions to the United States; and

 

WHEREAS, Milpitas is home to many Vietnamese-Americans; and

 

WHEREAS, a flag, which consists of three horizontal stripes of red upon a field of gold, represents the Vietnamese-American community, their culture, and their long history that is celebrated and honored; and

 

WHEREAS, the vast majority of Vietnamese-Americans embrace the yellow flag with three red stripes as a symbol of the Vietnamese-American community; and

 

WHEREAS, Vietnamese-Americans annually commemorate April 30th as “Black April Remembrance Day” to remind all Vietnamese-Americans to remain vigilant in opposition to tyranny in all forms, to actively support human rights for all people and to celebrate the principles of democracy, justice, and tolerance upon which our nation was founded.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the city council of the City of Milpitas, as follows:

 

  1. The City of Milpitas recognizes the flag which consists of three horizontal stripes of red upon a field of gold as the flag of the Vietnamese-American community in California and recognizes that the flag may be displayed as part of a flag ceremony at the ceremonial flag poles approved by the City Council at the Higuera Adobe or at the four-pole ceremonial flag site in the plaza at the back of City Hall pursuant to the City Council flag policy and the permit requirements of the City.

 

  1. The City of Milpitas supports and endorses A.C.R 68 currently before the California Legislature as it urges the State to recognize the yellow flag with three red stripes as a symbol of the Vietnamese-American community in California and establishes the manner by which the flag may be ceremoniously displayed on State-owned property.

 

PASSED AND ADOPTED this 6th day of May, 2003, by the following vote:

 

AYES : Mayor Esteves, Vice Mayor Dixon, Councilmembers Gomez, Livengood, and Polanski

 

NOES: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None.

 

Attest:

Gail Blalock, City Clerk

 

Approved:

Jose S. Esteves, Mayor