SLS 15RS-520 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 32
BY SENATOR MORRELL
COMMENDATIONS. Recognizes the Vietnamese-American community and commends
its celebration of the fortieth anniversary of settlement and prosperity in Louisiana.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To recognize the Vietnamese-American community of South Louisiana and to commend its
3 fortieth anniversary celebration and conference, "A Forty Year Journey: the Rise of
4 Vietnamese Americans", to be held on April 30, 2015.
5 WHEREAS, during the month of April, Vietnamese Americans will observe the
6 fortieth anniversary of the perilous journey that brought them and their predecessors to the
7 shores of the United States of America; and
8 WHEREAS, these immigrants from the Republic of South Vietnam were composed
9 of fifty multi-ethnic groups such as the Kinh, Tay, Hmong, and Montagnard, with eight
10 distinct dialects and a mixture of unique social affiliations; and
11 WHEREAS, April 30, 1975, was a somber moment in world history, for on that date
12 the capital city of Saigon, South Vietnam, fell into the control of communist forces; and
13 WHEREAS, this event marked the beginning of a mass exodus of Vietnamese
14 citizenry, who, as political refugees, embarked on an unpredictable odyssey and were swept
15 halfway around the world to an unfamiliar land and language; and
16 WHEREAS, through international aid, Catholic charities, and the United States
17 Department of State, Vietnamese expatriates settled throughout North America, in particular,
18 near "fishing cultures" such as those along the Louisiana Gulf Coast; and
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SLS 15RS-520 ORIGINAL
1 WHEREAS, today, as Americans by birth or as naturalized citizens, individuals of
2 Vietnamese ancestry have emerged as outstanding academics, tradesmen, technicians, and
3 business leaders who have carved a niche in service industries and who have contributed to
4 the state's economic well-being and social environment; and
5 WHEREAS, to commemorate this special occasion, conference organizers will
6 present panel discussions, guest speakers, and a film, The Last Days in Vietnam, a
7 documentary directed by Rory Kennedy; and
8 WHEREAS, the purpose of the conference is to memorialize this historic event,
9 preserve ethnic identity, appreciate the beauty and artistry of Vietnamese culture,
10 memorialize the struggles of immigration from Southeast Asia, and celebrate continued
11 prosperity in America; and
12 WHEREAS, conferees are invited to attend a series of special masses celebrated at
13 local churches, including Mary Queen of Vietnam Catholic Church in New Orleans East,
14 St. Joseph Catholic Church in Algiers, and St. Agnes Le Thi Thanh Catholic Church in
15 Marrero; and
16 WHEREAS, in the future, two new generations will recall the accounts of brave
17 expatriates who courageously fled oppression and sought asylum in a new country known
18 for opportunity and personal freedom; and
19 WHEREAS, community leaders and elders will preserve and pass on unique
20 traditions and meaningful customs to younger generations and foster the spirit of identifying
21 as Vietnamese; and
22 WHEREAS, during the past forty years, Vietnamese Americans have embraced the
23 American dream, overcome prejudice, hardship, and language barriers, and emerged as a
24 prosperous, viable, vocal, politically active segment of society; and
25 WHEREAS, Vietnamese Americans possess a dynamic history and culture; their core
26 qualities are forged from the most inherent characteristics, those of perseverance, strength
27 of will, intellect, courage, and a willingness to endure adversity in order to create a better
28 life.
29 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
30 does hereby recognize the Vietnamese-American community of South Louisiana and does
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SLS 15RS-520 ORIGINAL
1 hereby commend its presentation of the conference, "A Forty Year Journey: the Rise of
2 Vietnamese Americans" on April 30, 2015.
3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana looks
4 forward to the continued prosperity of the Vietnamese-American community.
5 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
6 Cyndi Nguyen, executive director of the Vietnamese Initiatives in Economic Training
7 (VIET) Community Center.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Suzi Montague.
DIGEST
SR 32 Original 2015 Regular Session Morrell
Recognizes the Vietnamese-American community and commends its presentation of "A
Forty Year Journey: the Rise of Vietnamese Americans" held on April 30, 2015.
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