SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 690
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 of Vietnamese descent, nearly
half of whom live in the Houston-Sugarland-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 United States military efforts; 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; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
83rd Legislature, hereby recognize April 17, 2013, as Vietnamese
American Day at the State Capitol and extend to each visitor here
for the occasion best wishes for a memorable and enjoyable day in
Austin; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
honor of this special day.
Ellis
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 17, 2013.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate