WHEREAS, the current Government of Vietnam is a non -democratic regime that replaced the former Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam); and
WHEREAS, many Vietnamese-Americans left Vietnam as a result of the change of governments; and
WHEREAS, The City of Houston is home to the second largest population of Vietnamese -Americans in this country – a community having made substantial contributions to our culture, business and commerce; and
WHEREAS, the vast majority of Vietnamese -Americans embrace the flag of their former country as the symbol of their community; and
WHEREAS, the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) - dating back to 1948 - has long symbolized the resilience, freedom and democracy of and for the Vietnamese community; and
WHEREAS, it is the will and expressed desire of Vietnamese -Americans that the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam, heretofore known as The Heritage Freedom Flag of Vietnamese-Americans, be recognized as the official symbol of the Vietnamese-American Community; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS
Section 1. That the City of Houston on this day formally recognizes the flag of the former Republi c of Vietnam – heretofore known as The Heritage Freedom Flag of Vietnamese -Americans - as the official symbol of the Vietnamese –American community.
Section 2. That this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage and approval by the Mayor; however, in the event that Mayor fails to sign this Resolution within five days after its passage and adoption, it shall take effect in accordance with Article VI, Section 6, Houston City Charter.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 18th day of June, 2003.
APPROVED this 18th day of June, 2003.
Lee P. Brown
Mayor
Pursuant to Article VI, Section 6, Houston City Charter, the effective date of the foregoing Resolution is ____________________, 2003.
______________________________
City Secretary
Prepared by: ______________________
Senior Assistant City Attorney
06.05.03 RDC:ej
Requested by Stephen O. Tinnermon, Chief of Staff, Mayor ’s Office
L.D. No. _______________