CC - Item 4D - Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom FlagROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY
FROM: JEFF ALLRED, CITY MANAGER
DATE: MARCH 25, 2014 "" 1
SUBJECT: VIETNAMESE AMERICAN HERITAGE AND FREEDOM FLAG
SUMMARY
The Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County is requesting that the
Rosemead City Council again adopt 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 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 N. Charlotte
Avenue to Mission Drive) from Sunday, April 27, 2014 through Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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. 2014 -08 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 side -by -side with the American flag on light poles
from April 27, 2014 through May 4, 2014 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 -
ITEMNUMBER: M_ _
City Council Meeting
March 25, 2014
Page 2 of 2
by -side' along Valley Boulevard pursuant to Section 7(g) of the United States Flag
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 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:
4111AIMOLLEDA
CITY CLERK
Attachment A - Resolution No. 2014 -08
Attachment B — Letter from the Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County
RESOLUTION NO. 2014-08
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 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, and authorizes the display of this flag on light poles along Valley Boulevard in
accordance with the protocol specified in the United States Flag Code in commemoration of the fall of
Saigon on April 30, 1975.
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 251h day of March, 2014.
ATTEST:
Gloria Molleda
City Clerk
Polly Low
Mayor
APPROVE AS TO FORM:
Rachel Richman
City Attorney
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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
March 16, 2014
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 2014, this country will commemorate 39 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
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 grant the permit for the Vietnamese American citizen in city of Rosemead to
the commemoration of the Black April 30, 2014 by displaying the Yellow Flag with Three Horizontal Red
stripes as side Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom a symbol of "Freedom and Democracy in
Vietnam" side by side with the American flag on the light post, on Valley Blvd. Beginningat the corner
of N Charlotte Ave thru corner of Mission Dr, from the day of Sunday April 27, 2014 thru Sunday
May 04, 2014.
Once again, thank you very much for the Mayor and city councils 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
Current President of the Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County