CC - Item 5F - Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom FlagROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JEFF ALLRED, CITY MANAGER
DATE: MARCH 27, 2012
SUBJECT: VIETNAMESE AMERICAN HERITAGE AND FREEDOM F LAG
SUMMARY
The Vietnamese Refugee Community of Las Angeles County is requesting that the
Rosemead City Council support the Vietnamese American citizens of the City of
Rosemead by adopting Resolution No. 2012 -19 (Attachment A) acknowledging the
Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom Flag as a symbol of freedom and
democracy in Vietnam. In addition, the Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los
Angeles County would like the City Council to allow them to display the flag side by side
with the American flag on the light posts on Valley Boulevard (from Walnut Grove to
Mission Drive) from Saturday, April 28, 2012 thru Saturday, May 5, 2012. 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
Staff requests that City Council approve Resolution No. 2012 -19 acknowledging the
Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag as a symbol of freedom and democracy in
Vietnam and allow the Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County to
display the Freedom Flag from April 28, 2012 through May 5, 2012 in accordance with
the protocol specified in the United States Flag Code.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
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 cf Saigon on April 30, 1975. This historic event
ultimately resulted in the immigration of tens of thousands of Vietnamese refugees to
the Untied Stated, where they have made significant contributions to our city, state and
nation.
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 the
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:
ITEM NUMBER: 51F
City Council Meeting
March 27, 2012
Pape 2 of 2
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.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
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.
Prepared by:
GLORIA MOLLEDA
CITY CLERK
Attachment A — Resolution No. 2012 -19
Attachment B — Letter from the Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County
RESOLUTION NO. 2012-19
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, ACKNOWLEDGING
THE VIETNAMESE AMERICAN HERITAGE AND FREEDOM FLAG
AS A SYMBOL OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY IN VIETNAM
WHEREAS, The 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 embrace the yellow
and red - striped Heritage and Freedom Flag as the symbol of the Vietnamese - American community; and
WHEREAS, The Heritage and Freedom Flag is embraced in Vietnam and 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 of Rosemead Citj Council supports the Vietnamese - American residents in
the City of Rosemead by recognizing the Heritage and Freedom Flag as the official symbol of freedom and
democracy in Vietnam.
Section 2. 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 at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Rosemead on the 27th day of March, 2012.
Steven Ly
Mayor
ATTEST:
Gloria Molleda
City Clerk APPROVE AS TO FORM:
Rachel Richman
City Attorney
The Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County
P.O.Box 7694, Torrance, CA 90504
TEL: (310) 381-9629 - (626) 421-0940
Email: congdongvnla @sbcglobal.net 'State No. CA 2502787
Mar -12 -2012
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 2012, this country will commemorate 37 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 -2012 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 comer of Mission Dr, from the day of Saturday Apr 28 -2012 thru Saturday May 05-
2012.
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.
Long
President 4&e V name 3fefugee Community of Los Angeles County