Senate Joint Resolution 20

STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 50th Legislature (2005)

SENATE JOINT

RESOLUTION 20 By: Cain

AS INTRODUCED

A Joint Resolution recognizing the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam as the official flag of the Vietnamese-American community in the State of Oklahoma; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, the people of the former Republic of Vietnam, also known as South Vietnam, were valiant in their resistance to the aggression of communist North Vietnam, and thousands of Vietnamese men and women made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of freedom; and

WHEREAS, subsequent to the fall of Saigon in 1975, many officers and enlisted personnel of the former Republic of Vietnam, as well as teachers, intellectuals, and artists, were imprisoned as enemies of the state; and

WHEREAS, the current government of Vietnam is a non-democratic regime that continues to harass, interrogate, and arrest individuals advocating democracy; and

WHEREAS, the flag of the free Vietnamese people consists of three horizontal stripes of red upon a field of gold, and this flag is an eternal symbol of the hope and love of freedom for all people of Vietnamese descent, and especially for the proud future generations of Vietnamese Americans, just as the American flag symbolizes these virtues for citizens across the United States.

WHEREAS, since 1948, the red-and-gold-striped flag has a history in Vietnam and is a broader symbol of resilience, freedom, and democracy for the Vietnamese-American community; and

WHEREAS, this flag remains as a poignant reminder of the threat of communism and the imperative of remaining vigilant in opposition to tyranny of all forms and to actively support human rights; and

WHEREAS, the end of the Vietnam conflict produced an exodus of over two million Vietnamese seeking political asylum in the free world who bravely risked their lives to live under the prosperity of democracy; and

WHEREAS, many of these refugees settled in Oklahoma, and thousands of Vietnamese Americans and residents of Vietnamese descent live in the State of Oklahoma.

WHEREAS, Oklahoma’s Vietnamese-American community has a long history of and makes significant contributions to the cultural, religious, and political realms and the business, economic development and freedom of enterprise of the State of Oklahoma.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 50TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

THAT the members of the Oklahoma State Legislature recognize the contributions of the Vietnamese-American community to the culture, religion, politics, business, and economic development of the State of Oklahoma.

THAT the Vietnamese-Americans in the State of Oklahoma be honored and remembered for their struggle for freedom and human rights.

THAT the gold flag with three red stripes be recognized as the official flag of the Vietnamese-American community in the State of Oklahoma.

THAT copies of this Resolution be sent to the recognized leaders of the Vietnamese-American community and Vietnamese-American organizations in the State of Oklahoma.

50-1-698 TDS 02/05/200538388.54