CC - Item 4F - Display of the Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom Flag with the United States of America Flag Along Valley Blvd as a Symbol of Freedom and DemocracyROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BEN KIM, CITY MANAGER
DATE: MARCH 14, 2023
SUBJECT: DISPLAY OF THE VIETNAMESE AMERICAN HERITAGE AND
FREEDOM FLAG WITH THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FLAG
ALONG VALLEY BOULEVARD AS A SYMBOL OF FREEDOM AND
DEMOCRACY
SUMMARY
Every year, the Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County request that the City
Council support the Vietnamese American citizens of the Rosemead community by authorizing
the display of the Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom Flag along with the United States
of America Flag, as a symbol of freedom and democracy, on Valley Boulevard from Saturday,
April 22, 2023, through Sunday, April 30, 2023. The flags' display together is consistent with the
United States Flag Code protocol.
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 United
States, where they have made significant contributions to our community, 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,
Section 7, which reads as follows: "When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are
flown on equal separate staffs of the same heights. The flags should be approximately equal in
size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation
in time of peace."
AGENDA ITEM 4.F
City Council Meeting
March 14, 2023
Page 2 of 2
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council approve the request of the Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los
Angeles County to display the Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom Flag side-by-side
with the United States of America Flag along Valley Boulevard beginning April 22, 2023,
through April 30, 2023, in accordance with the protocol specified in the United States Flag Code.
FISCAL IMPACT
All costs associated with the display of the Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom Flag
will be paid by the Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality
Act ("CEQA"), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment.
As such, this matter is exempt under CEQA.
STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
This item is consistent with the City's 2030 Strategic Plan Goal B: Responsive, Inclusive City,
which values diversity to provide quality services that are inclusive and responsive to meet the
changing needs of our diverse community.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process.
Prepared by:
6��—
Ericka Hernandez, City Clerk
Attachment A: Letter from the Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County
Attachment A
Letter Request from the Vietnamese Refugee
Community of Los Angeles County
The Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County
P.O. Box 7694, Torrance, CA 90504
TEL: (310) 381-9629
Email: congdongvnla@yahoo.com 'State No. CA 2502787
March 7. 2023
Dear Honorable Mayor Sean Dang
Mayor Pro Tem Steven Ly
Council Member Polly Low
Council Member Margaret Clark
Council Member Sandra Armenta
The Vietnamese Refugee Community Of Los Angeles County would like to ask the
Mayor and all city council members to support and grant the permit for the Vietnamese
American citizen in the city of Rosemead to commemoration of Black April 30, 2023 by
displaying the Yellow Flag with Three Horizontal Red stripes to represent 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. Beginning at the corner
of North Charlotte Ave through the corner of Mission Dr, from Saturday April 22, 2023
through Sunday April 30, 2023.
Thank you very much for the Mayor and city council members of City of Rosemead in
support of 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
The Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County