Title
To acknowledge and recognize the contributions of the Vietnamese American community in the City of Columbus and support their right to choose the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam as a symbol of their Vietnamese heritage.
Body
WHEREAS, there are a significant number of Vietnamese Americans who have chosen to make the City of Columbus their home and have made substantial contributions to the cultural, religious, political and economic vitality of this city; and
WHEREAS, the Vietnamese Americans who escaped the tyranny of their native land wish to maintain the memory of their Vietnamese heritage through recognition of the Flag of the former Republic of Vietnam, whose design is a symbol of hope and freedom; and
WHEREAS, the vast majority of Vietnamese Americans embrace the yellow flag with three red stripes as symbol of resilience, freedom and democracy both in Vietnam itself and the Vietnamese-American community throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, in remembrance of those Americans and Vietnamese who fought for independence and democracy in that country, the former flag represents the free Vietnamese people now living in Columbus; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby acknowledge and recognize the contributions of the Vietnamese American community in Columbus and support their right to choose the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam as a symbol of their Vietnamese heritage.