SENATE BILL NO. 839
BY SENATORS JOHNSON, BARHAM AND ULLO AND
REPRESENTATIVE DOWNER

AN ACT

To enact R.S. 49:153.3, relative to the displaying of flags; to recognize the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam as the official flag to be displayed in the state; and to provide for related matters.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:

Section 1. R.S. 49:153.3 is hereby enacted to read as follows:

§153.3. Display of the flag of the Republic of Vietnam

R.S. 49:153.3 is all new law.

The legislature does hereby recognize that the people of the former Republic of Vietnam, also known as South Vietnam, were valiant in their resistance to the aggression of the communist North Vietnam. The legislature  further finds that refugees from the former Republic of Vietnam who emigrated to the United States of America and settled in the state of Louisiana should be honored and remembered for their sacrifices. Therefore, the only flag depicting the country of Vietnam that may be displayed in any state-sponsored public function or any public institution of learning shall be the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam.

Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become effective on the day following such approval.

PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA

Approved: July 12, 2003