83R25251 MGR-F
By: Vo H.C.R. No. 113
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, After the Vietnam War ended, a large number of
Vietnamese refugees immigrated to the United States, and many moved
to the metropolitan areas and coastal regions of Texas; and
WHEREAS, These first-generation Vietnamese Americans worked
hard and flourished in Texas, and now the state is home to the
second largest Vietnamese population in the United States, with
more than 210,000 residents, nearly half of those living in the
Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown area; and
WHEREAS, Vietnamese Americans have fully embraced the
freedoms of speech and religion and all of the democratic
principles that the United States offers; and
WHEREAS, Vietnamese Americans have denied the authority of
the Vietnamese Communist Flag and pushed for governments to
officially recognize the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag,
which symbolizes both the Vietnamese cultural heritage and a deeply
rooted resilience and yearning for democracy; and
WHEREAS, Vietnamese Americans strongly support education,
and their children are graduating from high schools and higher
education institutions at high rates; and
WHEREAS, The Lone Star State has benefited enormously from
the contributions of its Vietnamese American residents; and
WHEREAS, The Vietnamese American community plays a vital role
in the business, professional, and cultural life not only of the
Lone Star State but also of the country; the number of small
businesses owned by Vietnamese Americans has grown substantially,
and these firms have created more than 166,000 jobs nationwide,
adding billions of dollars to the economy; in addition, Vietnamese
Americans contribute to their communities in a myriad of ways, as
teachers, lawyers, writers, actors, doctors, mayors, judges, and
public servants; among the many Vietnamese Americans who have led
notable careers are astronaut Eugene H. Trinh, former Dallas Cowboy
Dat Nguyen, and scientist Nguyet Anh Duong, who developed the
thermobaric weapon, which has been vital to U.S. military efforts;
and
WHEREAS, Under Chapter 443, Government Code, and rules of the
State Preservation Board, a portion of the north Capitol grounds is
available for new monuments, subject to legislative approval,
specified procedural requirements, the provision of funding from
private donors, conformity to a certain size and design limitations
and parameters, and completion on a timely basis; and
WHEREAS, For many decades, people of Vietnamese descent have
excelled in our society and economy, enriched our cultural
tapestry, and helped enhance and secure the Lone Star State's
reputation as a land of promise and possibility, and members of the
house of representatives and senate find a commemorative structure
in honor of Vietnamese Americans to be a worthy addition to the
Capitol grounds; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby authorize the State Preservation Board, subject to state law
and rules of the board, to approve and permit the construction of a
monument on the Capitol grounds recognizing Vietnamese Americans
for their contributions to this state and nation; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward an
official copy of this resolution to the executive director of the
State Preservation Board.