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CC - Item 4B - Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom FlagTO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: JEFF ALLRED, CITY MANAGER DATE: APRIL 12, 2011 SUBJECT: VIETNAMESE AMERICAN HERITAGE AND FREEDOM FLAG F1111ywu1 The Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County is again requesting adoption of a Resolution acknowledging the Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom Flag as a symbol of freedom and democracy in the Vietnamese American community. In addition, the Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County is requesting authorization to display the flag "side by side" with the American flag on the light posts on Valley Boulevard (from Walnut Grove Avenue to Rosemead Boulevard) from Saturday, April 23, 2011 thru Sunday night, May 1, 2011. The display of the Vietnamese American Heritage Freedom Flag and the United States Flag in this manner is consistent with the protocol specified in the United States Flag Code. Staff Recommendation: That City Council approve Resolution #2011 -17 (Attachment A) acknowledging the Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom Flag as a symbol of freedom and democracy within the Vietnamese American community and allow the Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County to display the Freedom Flag from Saturday, April 23, 2011 through Sunday night, May 1, 2011 in accordance with the protocol specified in the United States Flag Code. BACKGROUND For the past several years, the City has authorized the Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County to display the Vietnamese American Freedom Flag along Valley Boulevard in commemoration of the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. This historic event ultimately resulted in the immigration of tens of thousands of Vietnamese refugees to the United States, where they have made significant contributions to our city, state and nation. APPROVED FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: ITEM NUMBER: City Council Meeting April 12, 2011 Page 2 of 2 The Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County is once again requesting authorization to erect the Vietnamese Freedom Flag on light poles along Valley Boulevard to be displayed "side by side" with the American Flag in accordance with United States "Flag Code." In past years, the United States Flag and the Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom Flag have been displayed "side by side" along Valley Boulevard pursuant to Section 7 (g) of the United States Flag Code, which reads as follows: When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are flown on separate staffs of the same heights. The flags should be of approximately equal size... International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace. FINANCIAL REVIEW All costs associated with the display of the Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom Flag along with the United States flag will be borne by the Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County. Attachment A - Resolution No. 2011 -17 Attachment B - Letter from the Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -17 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, ACKNOWLEDGING THE VIETNAMESE AMERICAN HERITAGE AND FREEDOM FLAG AS A SYMBOL OF VIETNAMESE FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY WHEREAS, Vietnamese American citizens of the City of Rosemead have made substantial contributions to the cultural, religious, political and business life of the City of Rosemead; and WHEREAS, many of the City of Rosemead's Vietnamese American residents recognize the yellow and red - striped Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom Flag as the symbol of the Vietnamese American community; and WHEREAS, the Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom Flag is embraced in Vietnamese American communities as a symbol of resilience, freedom and democracy. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Rosemead, California, as follows: Section 1. That the City Council of the City of Rosemead supports Vietnamese American residents in the City of Rosemead by recognizing the Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom Flag as an official symbol of Vietnamese freedom and democracy. Section 2. That the City Council of the City of Rosemead again authorizes the Vietnamese Community of Los Angeles County to display the Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom Flag along with the Flag of the United States in accordance with United States Flag Code, Section 7 (g) along Valley Boulevard from April 23, 2011 through May 1, 2011. Section 3. That the City Clerk of the City of Rosemead shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution which shall become effective upon its approval by the City Council. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 12th day of April, 2011. ATTEST: Steven Ly, Mayor Gloria Molleda, City Clerk The Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County P.0.13ox 7694, Torrance, CA 90504 Tel: (310) 381 -9629 - (626) 421 -0940 Email: congdongvnla @sbcglobal.net *State No. CA 2502787 Arp -1 -2011 Dear Honorable Mayor Steven Ly Mayor Pro Tern Sandra Armenta Council Member Margaret Clark Council Member Polly Low Council Member Bill Alarcon My name is Long Nguyen. I am a current president of The Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County. On behalf of the Vietnamese Refugee Community of the Los Angeles County. We would like to sincerely thank the Mayor and all of the Rosemead city Councils, for consideration of this request. As you all know this year of 2011, this country will commemorate 36 years since the end of the Vietnam War with the Fall of Saigon on April 30 1975 and the beginning of Vietnamese American immigration to the United States. As the Vietnamese American Community business and residents grow in rapidly in the beautiful and diverse city of Rosemead. Our contribution to the community in commerce, cultural enrichment and political involvement. The Vietnamese - American community would greatly appreciate your help and support to make this event successful. We recognize your accomplishment as the people - elected officer to support this event. It is an important part of our community's living history. The Vietnamese American citizen whom are resident in city of Rosemead to ask the Mayor and all city councils to support and grand the permit for the Vietnamese American citizen in the city of Rosemead to commemoration of the Apr -30 -2011 by display the yellow flag with three horizontal red stripes as Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom Flag a "symbol of Freedom and Democracy in Vietnam" side by side with the American flag on the light post, on the Valley Blvd. (Start on the corner of Walnut Grove Ave thru corner ofHartAve), from the day of Saturday Apr 23 2011 thru Sunday night May 01- 2011. Once again, Thank you very much and we wish the Mayor all city councils for support this event. We wish you and your family all the best. May you always be in the loving hands of God. Sincerely, Long Nguyen President of The Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County