TITLE: Urging governmental entities to cease displaying the flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and to instead fly the Freedom and Heritage Flag.

SUMMARY: Urging governmental entities to cease displaying the flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and to instead fly the Freedom and Heritage Flag.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The display of the flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on government property across Texas has caused great distress to many members of the Vietnamese American community; and WHEREAS, This flag, which features a yellow star on a red background, was first adopted by the Indochinese Communist Party in the mid-20th century; it represents a source of anguish to countless people who fled to the United States as a welcoming haven of liberty and tolerance; to these esteemed citizens, the display of this flag is interpreted as a lack of respect for their historic struggles; and WHEREAS, In contrast, the Freedom and Heritage Flag symbolizes both the Vietnamese cultural heritage and a deeply rooted resilience and yearning for democracy; this flag, which bears three red stripes on a background of golden yellow, was flown for the first time at a ceremony marking the official recognition by France of Vietnamese unity and independence; and WHEREAS, City, county, and state governments and other entities, such as airports and colleges and universities, can express their respect for Vietnamese American culture and their support for the ideals of liberty and democracy by replacing the flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam with the Freedom and Heritage Flag; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby urge city, county, and state governmental entities to cease displaying the flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and to instead fly the Freedom and Heritage Flag that has been embraced by the Vietnamese American community.