CC - Item 3D - Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom FlagROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JEFF ALLRED, CITY MANAGER
DATE: APRIL 9, 2013
SUBJECT: VIETNAMESE AMERICAN HERITAGE AND FREEDOM FLAG
SUMMARY
The Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County is requesting that the
Rosemead City Council adopt Resolution No. 2013 -13 (Attachment A) 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 requests that the City Council 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 Sunday, April 28, 2013 thru
Sunday, May 5, 2013. The display of the Vietnamese American Heritage and 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 No. 2013 -13 acknowledging the Vietnamese
American Heritage and Freedom Flag as a symbol of freedom and democracy in the
Vietnamese - American community and allow the Vietnamese Refugee Community of
Los Angeles County to display the flag from April 28, 2013 through May 5, 2013 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 Heritage and 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 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 American Heritage and 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
ITEM NUMBER: a__
City Council Meeting
April 9, 2013
Page 2 of 2
Code, which reads:
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 IMPACT
All costs associated with the display of
Freedom Flag along with the United Stat
Refugee Community of Los Angeles County.
the Vietnamese American Heritage and
is flag will be borne by the Vietnamese
Prepared by: n Q
Iv b11
JGO RIA MOLLEDA
CITY CLERK
Attachment A — Resolution No. 2013 -13
Attachment B — Letter from the Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County
RESOLUTION NO. 2013-13
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, ACKNOWLEDGING
THE VIETNAMESE AMERICAN HERITAGE ANC
FREEDOM FLAG AS A SYMBOL OF FREEDOM ANC
DEMOCRACY IN THE VIETNAMESE - AMERICAN
COMMUNITY
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 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 City 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 9th day of April, 2013.
Polly Low
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: wngdongvnla ®sbcglobal.net * State No. CA 2502787
Apr -01 -2013
Dear Honorable Mayor Polly Low
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Alarcon
Council Member Margaret Clark
Council Member Steven Ly
Council Member Sandra Armenta
On behalf of the Vietnamese Refugee Community of 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 2013, this country will commemorate 38 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 -2013 by display the Yellow flag with Three Horizontal Red stripes as side
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 at the corner of Walnut
Grove Ave thru cornerofMitsion Dr, from the day of Sunday Apr 28 -2013 thru Sunday May 05 -2013.
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