| 1 | 1 | | 25 LC 112 3255 |
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| 2 | 2 | | House Resolution 505 |
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| 3 | 3 | | By: Representatives Hong of the 103 |
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| 4 | 4 | | rd |
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| 5 | 5 | | , Momtahan of the 17 |
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| 6 | 6 | | th |
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| 7 | 7 | | , Sainz of the 180 |
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| 8 | 8 | | th |
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| 9 | 9 | | , Martinez |
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| 10 | 10 | | of the 111 |
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| 11 | 11 | | th |
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| 12 | 12 | | , and Carpenter of the 4 |
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| 13 | 13 | | th |
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| 14 | 14 | | |
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| 15 | 15 | | A RESOLUTION |
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| 16 | 16 | | Commending the Laotian American community in Georgia and honoring the Airavata flag; |
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| 17 | 17 | | 1 |
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| 18 | 18 | | and for other purposes.2 |
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| 19 | 19 | | WHEREAS, during the Vietnam War, Laos became an unexpected battleground, with the3 |
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| 20 | 20 | | Royal Lao government, in collaboration with the Central Intelligence Agency, leading4 |
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| 21 | 21 | | Hmong and Lao forces in combat against the North Vietnamese Army and Pathet Lao5 |
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| 22 | 22 | | insurgents; and6 |
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| 23 | 23 | | WHEREAS, these forces played a crucial role in aiding and protecting United States military7 |
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| 24 | 24 | | operations in Laos, often at great personal risk, and their sacrifices remain an integral part8 |
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| 25 | 25 | | of the history of that conflict; and9 |
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| 26 | 26 | | WHEREAS, in 1975, Laos underwent a profound political transformation with the fall of10 |
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| 27 | 27 | | Vientiane and the rise of the Communist Pathet Lao government, marking the end of the11 |
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| 28 | 28 | | Kingdom of Laos and the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic; and12 |
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| 29 | 29 | | WHEREAS, this sudden shift in political power created widespread fear and persecution,13 |
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| 30 | 30 | | particularly for those associated with the former regime, intellectuals, and others deemed14 |
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| 31 | 31 | | threats to the new government, forcing many Laotians to flee their homeland; and15 |
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| 32 | 32 | | H. R. 505 |
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| 33 | 33 | | - 1 - 25 LC 112 3255 |
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| 34 | 34 | | WHEREAS, thousands of Laotians braved the treacherous waters of the Mekong River to |
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| 35 | 35 | | 16 |
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| 36 | 36 | | seek refuge in Thailand, where they endured difficult conditions in overcrowded and17 |
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| 37 | 37 | | under-resourced refugee camps before being resettled in countries such as the United States;18 |
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| 38 | 38 | | and19 |
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| 39 | 39 | | WHEREAS, the State of Georgia extended a warm welcome to these Laotian refugees, with20 |
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| 40 | 40 | | vibrant communities forming in cities such as Atlanta, Cornelia, Chickamauga,21 |
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| 41 | 41 | | Lawrenceville, Marietta, Riverdale, and Macon, where they have worked diligently to22 |
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| 42 | 42 | | integrate into American society while preserving their cultural identity; and23 |
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| 43 | 43 | | WHEREAS, Laotian Americans in Georgia have made invaluable contributions to the state's24 |
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| 44 | 44 | | cultural and economic landscape, establishing businesses, cultural organizations, and25 |
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| 45 | 45 | | community centers that promote their heritage and foster a sense of belonging; and26 |
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| 46 | 46 | | WHEREAS, featuring a white three-headed elephant against a red background, the Airavata27 |
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| 47 | 47 | | flag holds profound cultural and historical significance for the Laotian community,28 |
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| 48 | 48 | | symbolizing the ancient Kingdom of Lan Xang, also known as the "Land of a Million29 |
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| 49 | 49 | | Elephants," which was one of the most prosperous kingdoms in Southeast Asia from the 14th30 |
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| 50 | 50 | | to the 18th centuries; and31 |
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| 51 | 51 | | WHEREAS, for Laotians living abroad, the Airavata flag serves as a powerful connection32 |
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| 52 | 52 | | to their history, identity, and traditions, representing unity, resilience, and the enduring spirit33 |
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| 53 | 53 | | of their ancestors; and34 |
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| 54 | 54 | | WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the Airavata flag be recognized as a35 |
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| 55 | 55 | | symbol of the Laotian American community, celebrating their journey, resilience, and36 |
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| 56 | 56 | | contributions to the diverse fabric of this state and the nation.37 |
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| 57 | 57 | | H. R. 505 |
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| 58 | 58 | | - 2 - 25 LC 112 3255 |
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| 59 | 59 | | NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that |
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| 60 | 60 | | 38 |
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| 61 | 61 | | the members of this body commend the Laotian American community in Georgia for their39 |
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| 62 | 62 | | many achievements and contributions as well as honor the Airavata flag as a representation40 |
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| 63 | 63 | | of their heritage and legacy.41 |
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| 64 | 64 | | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized42 |
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| 65 | 65 | | and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the43 |
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| 66 | 66 | | public and the press.44 |
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| 67 | 67 | | H. R. 505 |
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| 68 | 68 | | - 3 - |
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