CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION _________________
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A RESOLUTION recognizing the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom flag as the symbol for Seattle's Vietnamese community.
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WHEREAS, the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag consists of a yellow field with three horizontal red stripes in the middle and was the flag of former South Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, Seattle is home to more than 10,000 Vietnamese Americans, the second largest foreign-born immigrant community in Seattle, and the state of Washington is home to more than 70,000 Vietnamese Americans; and
WHEREAS, April 30, 2015 marked the 40th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, many Vietnamese allies fled after the United States left Vietnam on April 30, 1975, and former Governor Dan Evans and the great people of the state of Washington welcomed and aided thousands of Vietnamese refugees; and
WHEREAS, these refugees lost their homes and their home country and had no place to go because they faced persecution for fighting alongside the United States in pursuit of freedom and the liberties valued by the United States; and
WHEREAS, the first refugees arrived at Camp Murray near Fort Lewis; and
WHEREAS, the state of Washington helped fund the first Vietnamese-language newspaper in the country called Dat Moi meaning "new land," providing valuable information to refugees; and
WHEREAS, although the majority of Vietnamese immigrants were located in underdeveloped urban neighborhoods, they nevertheless established strong vibrant communities in a short period of time, rebuilding their lives and becoming proud American citizens; and
WHEREAS; in the United States, approximately 13 state governments, seven counties, and 85 cities have adopted resolutions to recognize the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seattle passed Resolution 24896, 24900, and 24913 from April 21, 1975 to May 12, 1975, welcoming Vietnamese refugees to Seattle and instructing City agencie...
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