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Ms. Kim Nguyen, 800 Gessner #1150, Houston, Texas 77024 (281-236-5127) appeared and stated that she was president of the Vietnamese community and present representing them; that in 1975 South Vietnam fell and caused them to leave their homeland; that they settled in Houston and were officially organized since 1977; that their population was about 150,000 people and the largest Asian community in Harris County and second largest in the country; that they were all American and pledged to the U. S. flag, however, on behalf of the community they asked that Council adopt Agenda Item 17 recognizing the formal republic of Vietnam flag, the official symbol of their community. Council Members Galloway, Ellis, Alvarado and Sekula-Gibbs absent.
Upon questions by Council Member Quan, Ms. Nguyen stated that she had looked at the proposed resolution and they were happy with the wording, however, a portion in their original was taken out and they would have liked it approved. Council Members Galloway, Ellis, Alvarado and Sekula-Gibbs absent.
Upon questions by Council Member Quan, Mr. Bibler stated that he redrafted the resolution at Ms. Stein’s request and he did not recall there being anything in the draft he worked on addressing the issue of them displaying the flag. Council Member Quan stated he saw no problem with the resolution in its present form, but he wanted to clarify that for the record because he wanted to make sure the community was getting what they asked for; and Mr. Bibler stated that he would add at one point there was a misguided effort by some in the Vietnamese community to raise money without the city’s permission for a statue of some sort to be placed in a park with one of the flags to be placed permanently and he would not want that to be confused with what he was speaking of. Council Members Galloway, Alvarado, Sekula-Gibbs and Berry absent.
Council Member Parker stated that she was pleased to request the Mayor to adopt the resolution and Council Member Ellis also got on board very early and they were happy the Administration responded and she encouraged all colleagues to vote for it; that to be clear the request was when the city recognized the Vietnamese American community of Houston that they fly the Vietnamese heritage flag because the community itself already recognized it and flew it on public occasions; that some of the language was dropped in their proposed resolution but the city would recognize the flag as the local Vietnamese community and in no way would it infringe upon the current country of Vietnam when they must recognize delegations from there they had their flag, but for those here they recognized the heritage flag and she saluted them on their efforts. Council Members Galloway, Alvarado, Sekula-Gibbs and Berry absent.
Council Member Ellis stated that he wanted to congratulate them on the good job they had done in bringing their resolution forward and thanked Mayor Brown for placing it on the Agenda. Council Members Galloway, Alvarado, Sekula-Gibbs and Berry absent.
Council Member Edwards stated that she had talked to no one and wanted clarification; and Mayor Brown stated the flag would be flown at their events; that they asked the city to recognize the flag as their community flag, it did not mean it was an official city flag or country flag it was their community flag; that they worked closely with the state department on protocol and this was consistent. Council Members Galloway, Alvarado and Sekula-Gibbs absent.
Upon questions by Council Member Wiseman, Ms. Nguyen stated that they wanted a voice in determining what flag would represent their heritage and community and they would fly it at events such as Lunar New Year and their other holidays. Council Members Galloway, Alvarado and Sekula-Gibbs absent.
Mayor Brown stated that he knew Ms. Nguyen was the elected speaker and asked those who were present with her to stand to be recognized. Council Members Galloway, Alvarado and Sekula-Gibbs absent.
Ms. Kim Nix, 800 Gessner #1150, Houston, Texas 77565 (281-335-7422) appeared and stated that she was a community activist and wanted to emphasize the flag of the former republic of Vietnam, a yellow flag with three red stripes symbolizing their struggle against the international communist; that they love the American flag, red, white and blue and would die for it, however, they continued to fight for human rights and democracy for their people and today they were present asking for support and understanding. Council Members Galloway, Alvarado, Sekula-Gibbs and Robinson absent.
Ms. Trinh Pham, 149 Litchfield, Houston, Texas 77024 (713-465-7722) appeared and stated that she was present in support of their cause as she was representing not only a Vietnamese American but the youthful energy of Vietnamese Americans and why they wanted to recognize the flag; that she was present as it was an honor to give this as a gift to her parents generation and the generation of those who had the courage to leave a country in crisis and stand for a hope and future for their generations to come; that the yellow flag with three stripes had always been a representation in her heart of the Vietnam she left at seven years old; and she stood before Council today with hope that each Council Member would vote for their flag which was not as much a flag as it was a symbol of their heart, of what it meant to leave a country and come to this country with nothing and to build a home. Council Members Galloway, Alvarado and Sekula-Gibbs absent.
Upon questions by Council Member Quan, Ms. Pham stated that based on a personal experience, she was presented in the Houston Chronicle and placed with the previous Vietnamese flag, the red flag with yellow star behind her and she knew it would cause issues and it was because it was like flying the Confederate flag and representing the African American or like flying the Swastika flag and representing the Jewish American; that it was more or less a symbol saying when you were representing the Vietnamese community, not Vietnam, you honor them with the freedom flag of their choice; that it was clarity for them to be represented with the correct flag. Council Members Galloway, Vasquez, Alvarado and Sekula-Gibbs absent.
Upon questions by Mayor Brown, Ms. Pham stated that other cities had adopted a similar resolution, San Jose, Orange County California, Virginia, and others. Council Members Galloway, Vasquez, Alvarado and Sekula-Gibbs absent.
Council Member Goldberg thanked Ms. Pham for coming and raising awareness of the situation and the sensitivities and educating all on it and he did intend to support the item. Council Members Galloway, Vasquez, Alvarado and Sekula-Gibbs absent.
Dr. Tony Do, 151 Debarton, Houston, Texas (281-498-4341) appeared, presented information and stated that like the Stars and Stripes the Vietnamese flag was symbolism, pride and historical meaning, it was the flag under which hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese and Americans fought side by side in the Vietnam War; that more than 58,000 Americans laid down their lives in the Vietnam War and this flag was the same that decorated medals on the chest of millions of Vietnamese and Americans; that at least 400,000 Vietnamese boat people died getting to a free world; and he was asking Council to adopt and recognize the South Vietnam Flag as many other communities had adopted. Council Members Galloway, Vasquez, Alvarado and Sekula-Gibbs absent.
Mr. Tuan Nguyen, 12506 Evening, Houston, Texas 77041 (713-235-2674) appeared and stated that he and others were living here for one reason they all ran away trying to escape the Vietnamese Communist Regime in Vietnam, seeking freedom to pursue happiness; that the regime in Vietnam was represented by the red flag with the yellow star, but for Vietnamese Houstonians and their experience they chose the yellow flag with red stripes rejecting the red flag being imposed on Vietnamese. Council Members Galloway, Vasquez, Alvarado and Sekula-Gibbs absent.
Mr. Binh Nguyen, 1322 Spillers, Houston, Texas 77043 (713-468-7243) stated that a few weeks ago he brought 5,000 signatures supporting the resolution to Council Members so it was the true formal reflection of their wish and this was more than a symbol of democracy and freedom, they were the refugee community; that the flag was to represent them and had nothing to do with the federal diplomatic relations and urged Council Members to adopt the item. Council Members Galloway, Vasquez and Sekula-Gibbs absent.
Council Member Edwards stated that she intended to support the resolution, but on a number of occasions other communities asked for resolutions in support of their sentiments regarding their history in this country and their fight for freedom and it was denied and she hoped Council would be as sensitive and hospitable to other communities when they came as well. Council Members Galloway, Vasquez and Sekula-Gibbs absent.
Council Member Quan stated that the Mayor checked with the Department of State and their position was that recognition by the city of a flag of a community was just a reassurance of their freedom of speech rights and of expression of all Americans so this was not something to interfere in international relations. Council Members Galloway, Vasquez, Alvarado, Sekula-Gibbs and Robinson absent.
Mr. Aloysius Hoang, 1900 N. Loop West #500, Houston, Texas 77018 (713-680-9922) appeared and stated that his colleagues already represented to Council Members the major issues, but he would give legal aspects; that the flag they could already fly because of the First Amendment, however, they presented it to this city to show respect; that they wanted a mutual understanding; that this was already passed in cities in Michigan, Virginia and California; that the people’s voice was the will of God and hopefully God would bestow his wishes on the Council and they would pass Item 17. Council Members Tatro, Galloway, Vasquez, Alvarado, Sekula-Gibbs and Robinson absent.
Council Member Quan moved that the rules be suspended for the purpose of hearing Mr. Freddie Oliver, Ms. Beulah Shephard, Ms. Tanisha Barnes and Ms. Tamika Green after the speakers who were already moved, seconded by Council Member Berry. All voting aye. Nays none. Council Member Keller absent due to being ill. Council Members Galloway, Vasquez, Alvarado, Sekula-Gibbs and Robinson absent. MOTION 2003-0621 ADOPTED.
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