This measure would proclaim the month of April 2025 as Black April Memorial Month and encourage the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag to be flown throughout the state.

This measure would proclaim the month of April 2025 as Black April Memorial Month and encourage the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag to be flown throughout the state.

This measure would proclaim the month of April 2025 as Black April Memorial Month and request that encourage the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag to be flown over the State Capitol Building. throughout the state.

This measure would proclaim the month of April 2025 as Black April Memorial Month and request that the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag be flown over the State Capitol Building.

WHEREAS, April 30, 2025, marks the 50th year since the Fall of Saigon, on April 30, 1975, to communism; and

WHEREAS, For many Vietnam and Vietnam-era veterans who were directly involved in the war and Vietnamese Americans who have settled in the United States, the Vietnam War was a tragedy full of great suffering and loss of American, Vietnamese, and Southeast Asian lives; and

WHEREAS, The combined United States and South Vietnamese fatalities among military personnel during the Vietnam War reached more than one-half million, with approximately 800,000 additional troops being wounded in combat. Millions of Vietnamese civilians suffered casualties and death as a result of the extended conflict; and

WHEREAS, After the Fall of Saigon, millions of Vietnamese and their families fled Vietnam to surrounding areas and the United States, including, but not limited to, former military personnel, government officials, and those who had worked for the United States during the war; and

WHEREAS, In the late 1970s to mid-1980s, thousands of Vietnamese risked their lives by fleeing Vietnam aboard small wooden boats. These emigrants reached refugee camps in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Hong Kong, while approximately one-half of the people fleeing Vietnam in search of freedom and democracy perished at sea; and

WHEREAS, Today, more than 600,000 Vietnamese residents live in California, with the largest concentration of Vietnamese residents found outside of Vietnam residing in the County of Orange; and

WHEREAS, Human rights, religious freedom, democracy, and protection against threats of aggression are important concerns of Vietnamese Americans and Vietnamese communities worldwide stemming from abuse of human rights that continue to occur in Vietnam in the areas of child labor, human trafficking, religious and political persecution, suppression of the press, unlawful deprivation of life, forced disappearances, and land seizure, among others; and

WHEREAS, We must teach our children and future generations important lessons from the Vietnam War and the continuing situation in Vietnam, including how the plight of the Vietnamese refugees following the end of the war serves as a powerful example of the values of freedom and democracy; and

WHEREAS, We, the people of California, should actively rededicate ourselves to the principles of human rights, individual freedom, sovereignty, and equal protection under the laws of a just and democratic world. Californians should set aside moments of time every year on April 30 to give remembrance to the soldiers, medical personnel, and civilians who died during the Vietnam War in pursuit of freedom and democracy; and

WHEREAS, Vietnamese American communities throughout California will commemorate April 30, 2025, as Black April, a day of remembrance and rededication to the principles of freedom, including freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and internet freedom; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That in recognition of the great tragedy and suffering and lives lost during the Vietnam War, the month of April 2025 shall be proclaimed Black April Memorial Month, a special time for Californians to remember the lives lost during the Vietnam War era, and to hope for a more humane and just life for the people of Vietnam; and be it further

Resolved, That in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, the Legislature encourages that the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag, which is recognized by the state of California as a symbol of the Vietnamese communitys continued struggle for freedom and liberty for the people of Vietnam, be flown throughout the state; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, April 30, 2025, marks the 50th year since the Fall of Saigon, on April 30, 1975, to communism; and

WHEREAS, For many Vietnam and Vietnam-era veterans who were directly involved in the war and Vietnamese Americans who have settled in the United States, the Vietnam War was a tragedy full of great suffering and loss of American, Vietnamese, and Southeast Asian lives; and

WHEREAS, The combined United States and South Vietnamese fatalities among military personnel during the Vietnam War reached more than one-half million, with approximately 800,000 additional troops being wounded in combat. Millions of Vietnamese civilians suffered casualties and death as a result of the extended conflict; and

WHEREAS, After the Fall of Saigon, millions of Vietnamese and their families fled Vietnam to surrounding areas and the United States, including, but not limited to, former military personnel, government officials, and those who had worked for the United States during the war; and

WHEREAS, In the late 1970s to mid-1980s, thousands of Vietnamese risked their lives by fleeing Vietnam aboard small wooden boats. These emigrants reached refugee camps in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Hong Kong, while approximately one-half of the people fleeing Vietnam in search of freedom and democracy perished at sea; and

WHEREAS, Today, more than 600,000 Vietnamese residents live in California, with the largest concentration of Vietnamese residents found outside of Vietnam residing in the County of Orange; and

WHEREAS, Human rights, religious freedom, democracy, and protection against threats of aggression are important concerns of Vietnamese Americans and Vietnamese communities worldwide stemming from abuse of human rights that continue to occur in Vietnam in the areas of child labor, human trafficking, religious and political persecution, suppression of the press, unlawful deprivation of life, forced disappearances, and land seizure, among others; and

WHEREAS, We must teach our children and future generations important lessons from the Vietnam War and the continuing situation in Vietnam, including how the plight of the Vietnamese refugees following the end of the war serves as a powerful example of the values of freedom and democracy; and

WHEREAS, We, the people of California, should actively rededicate ourselves to the principles of human rights, individual freedom, sovereignty, and equal protection under the laws of a just and democratic world. Californians should set aside moments of time every year on April 30 to give remembrance to the soldiers, medical personnel, and civilians who died during the Vietnam War in pursuit of freedom and democracy; and

WHEREAS, Vietnamese American communities throughout California will commemorate April 30, 2025, as Black April, a day of remembrance and rededication to the principles of freedom, including freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and internet freedom; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That in recognition of the great tragedy and suffering and lives lost during the Vietnam War, the month of April 2025 shall be proclaimed Black April Memorial Month, a special time for Californians to remember the lives lost during the Vietnam War era, and to hope for a more humane and just life for the people of Vietnam; and be it further

Resolved, That in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, the Legislature encourages that the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag, which is recognized by the state of California as a symbol of the Vietnamese communitys continued struggle for freedom and liberty for the people of Vietnam, be flown throughout the state; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, April 30, 2025, marks the 50th year since the Fall of Saigon, on April 30, 1975, to communism; and

WHEREAS, For many Vietnam and Vietnam-era veterans who were directly involved in the war and Vietnamese Americans who have settled in the United States, the Vietnam War was a tragedy full of great suffering and loss of American, Vietnamese, and Southeast Asian lives; and

WHEREAS, The combined United States and South Vietnamese fatalities among military personnel during the Vietnam War reached more than one-half million, with approximately 800,000 additional troops being wounded in combat. Millions of Vietnamese civilians suffered casualties and death as a result of the extended conflict; and

WHEREAS, After the Fall of Saigon, millions of Vietnamese and their families fled Vietnam to surrounding areas and the United States, including, but not limited to, former military personnel, government officials, and those who had worked for the United States during the war; and

WHEREAS, In the late 1970s to mid-1980s, thousands of Vietnamese risked their lives by fleeing Vietnam aboard small wooden boats. These emigrants reached refugee camps in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Hong Kong, while approximately one-half of the people fleeing Vietnam in search of freedom and democracy perished at sea; and

WHEREAS, Today, more than 600,000 Vietnamese residents live in California, with the largest concentration of Vietnamese residents found outside of Vietnam residing in the County of Orange; and

WHEREAS, Human rights, religious freedom, democracy, and protection against threats of aggression are important concerns of Vietnamese Americans and Vietnamese communities worldwide stemming from abuse of human rights that continue to occur in Vietnam in the areas of child labor, human trafficking, religious and political persecution, suppression of the press, unlawful deprivation of life, forced disappearances, and land seizure, among others; and

WHEREAS, We must teach our children and future generations important lessons from the Vietnam War and the continuing situation in Vietnam, including how the plight of the Vietnamese refugees following the end of the war serves as a powerful example of the values of freedom and democracy; and

WHEREAS, We, the people of California, should actively rededicate ourselves to the principles of human rights, individual freedom, sovereignty, and equal protection under the laws of a just and democratic world. Californians should set aside moments of time every year on April 30 to give remembrance to the soldiers, medical personnel, and civilians who died during the Vietnam War in pursuit of freedom and democracy; and

WHEREAS, Vietnamese American communities throughout California will commemorate April 30, 2025, as Black April, a day of remembrance and rededication to the principles of freedom, including freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and internet freedom; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That in recognition of the great tragedy and suffering and lives lost during the Vietnam War, the month of April 2025 shall be proclaimed Black April Memorial Month, a special time for Californians to remember the lives lost during the Vietnam War era, and to hope for a more humane and just life for the people of Vietnam; and be it further

Resolved, That in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, the Legislature requests encourages that the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag, which is recognized by the state of California as a symbol of the Vietnamese communitys continued struggle for freedom and liberty for the people of Vietnam, be flown over the State Capitol Building; throughout the state; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, April 30, 2025, marks the 50th year since the Fall of Saigon, on April 30, 1975, to communism; and

WHEREAS, For many Vietnam and Vietnam-era veterans who were directly involved in the war and Vietnamese Americans who have settled in the United States, the Vietnam War was a tragedy full of great suffering and loss of American, Vietnamese, and Southeast Asian lives; and

WHEREAS, The combined United States and South Vietnamese fatalities among military personnel during the Vietnam War reached more than one-half million, with approximately 800,000 additional troops being wounded in combat. Millions of Vietnamese civilians suffered casualties and death as a result of the extended conflict; and

WHEREAS, After the Fall of Saigon, millions of Vietnamese and their families fled Vietnam to surrounding areas and the United States, including, but not limited to, former military personnel, government officials, and those who had worked for the United States during the war; and

WHEREAS, In the late 1970s to mid-1980s, thousands of Vietnamese risked their lives by fleeing Vietnam aboard small wooden boats. These emigrants reached refugee camps in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Hong Kong, while approximately one-half of the people fleeing Vietnam in search of freedom and democracy perished at sea; and

WHEREAS, Today, more than 600,000 Vietnamese residents live in California, with the largest concentration of Vietnamese residents found outside of Vietnam residing in the County of Orange; and

WHEREAS, Human rights, religious freedom, democracy, and protection against threats of aggression are important concerns of Vietnamese Americans and Vietnamese communities worldwide stemming from abuse of human rights that continue to occur in Vietnam in the areas of child labor, human trafficking, religious and political persecution, suppression of the press, unlawful deprivation of life, forced disappearances, and land seizure, among others; and

WHEREAS, We must teach our children and future generations important lessons from the Vietnam War and the continuing situation in Vietnam, including how the plight of the Vietnamese refugees following the end of the war serves as a powerful example of the values of freedom and democracy; and

WHEREAS, We, the people of California, should actively rededicate ourselves to the principles of human rights, individual freedom, sovereignty, and equal protection under the laws of a just and democratic world. Californians should set aside moments of time every year on April 30 to give remembrance to the soldiers, medical personnel, and civilians who died during the Vietnam War in pursuit of freedom and democracy; and

WHEREAS, Vietnamese American communities throughout California will commemorate April 30, 2025, as Black April, a day of remembrance and rededication to the principles of freedom, including freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and internet freedom; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That in recognition of the great tragedy and suffering and lives lost during the Vietnam War, the month of April 2025 shall be proclaimed Black April Memorial Month, a special time for Californians to remember the lives lost during the Vietnam War era, and to hope for a more humane and just life for the people of Vietnam; and be it further

Resolved, That in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, the Legislature requests that the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag, which is recognized by the state of California as a symbol of the Vietnamese communitys continued struggle for freedom and liberty for the people of Vietnam, be flown over the State Capitol Building; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: ACR 6

Author: Ta (R) and Kalra (D), et al.

Amended: 3/24/25 in Assembly

Vote: 21

SUBJECT: Black April Memorial Month

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution proclaims the month of April 2025 as Black April Memorial Month and encourages the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag to be flown throughout the state.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. April 30, 2025, marks the 50th year since the Fall of Saigon, on April 30, 1975, to communism.
2. The combined United States and South Vietnamese fatalities among military personnel during the Vietnam War reached more than one-half million, with approximately 800,000 additional troops being wounded in combat. Millions of Vietnamese civilians suffered casualties and death as a result of the extended conflict.
3. After the Fall of Saigon, millions of Vietnamese and their families fled Vietnam to surrounding areas and the United States, including, but not limited to, former military personnel, government officials, and those who had worked for the United States during the war.
4. Human rights, religious freedom, democracy, and protection against threats of aggression are important concerns of Vietnamese Americans and Vietnamese communities worldwide stemming from abuse of human rights that continue to occur in Vietnam in the areas of child labor, human trafficking, religious and political persecution, suppression of the press, unlawful deprivation of life, forced disappearances, and land seizure, among others.
5. We, the people of California, should actively rededicate ourselves to the principles of human rights, individual freedom, sovereignty, and equal protection under the laws of a just and democratic world. Californians should set aside moments of time every year on April 30 to give remembrance to the soldiers, medical personnel, and civilians who died during the Vietnam War in pursuit of freedom and democracy.

This resolution recognizes the great tragedy and suffering and lives lost during the Vietnam War, the month of April 2025 shall be proclaimed Black April Memorial Month, a special time for Californians to remember the lives lost during the Vietnam War era, and to hope for a more humane and just life for the people of Vietnam.

Related/Prior Legislation

SCR 100 (Nguyen, Resolution Chapter 124, Statutes of 2024).

SCR 8 (Nguyen, Resolution Chapter 52, Statutes of 2023).

ACR 5 (Ta, Resolution Chapter 48, Statutes of 2023).

SCR 85 (Umberg, Resolution Chapter 57, Statutes of 2022).

ACR 113 (Nguyen, Resolution Chapter 48, Statutes of 2022).

SCR 2 (Umberg, Resolution Chapter 34, Statutes of 2021).

ACR 4 (Nguyen, Resolution Chapter 37, Statutes of 2021).

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 4/9/25)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 4/9/25)

None received

Prepared by: Sofia Pachon-Mendez / SFA / (916) 651-1520

4/9/25 15:48:06

**** END ****

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:ACR 6

Author:(Ta and Kalra)

As Amended Ver:March 24, 2025

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Proclaims the month of April 2025 as Black April Memorial Month and encourages the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag to be flown throughout the state in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon.

Major Provisions

1. April 30, 2025, marks the 50th year since the Fall of Saigon, on April 30, 1975, to communism.
2. For many Vietnam and Vietnam-era veterans who were directly involved in the war and Vietnamese Americans who have settled in the United States, the Vietnam War was a tragedy, full of great suffering and loss of American, Vietnamese, and Southeast Asian lives.
3. After the Fall of Saigon, millions of Vietnamese and their families fled Vietnam to surrounding areas and to the United States, including, but not limited to, former military personnel, government officials, and those who had worked for the United States during the war.
4. Today, more than 600,000 Vietnamese residents live in California, with the largest concentration of Vietnamese residents found outside of Vietnam residing in the County of Orange.
5. We must teach our children and future generations important lessons from the Vietnam War and the continuing situation in Vietnam, including how the plight of the Vietnamese refugees following the end of the war serves as a powerful example of the values of freedom and democracy.
6. We, the people of California, should actively rededicate ourselves to the principles of human rights, individual freedom, sovereignty, and equal protection under the laws of a just and democratic world. Californians should set aside moments of time every year on April 30 to give remembrance to the soldiers, medical personnel, and civilians who died during the Vietnam War in pursuit of freedom and democracy.
7. Vietnamese American communities throughout California will commemorate April 30, 2025, as Black April, a day of remembrance and rededication to the principles of freedom, including freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and internet freedom.
8. In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, the Legislature encourages that the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag, which is recognized by the state of California as a symbol of the Vietnamese community''s continued struggle for freedom and liberty for the people of Vietnam, be flown throughout the state.

COMMENTS

According to the Author

I came to the United States from Vietnam at the age of 19 to experience true freedom after the fall of Saigon. Hundreds of my fellow Vietnamese also fled to our great state of California. We are now proud Americans and deeply appreciate the liberty and dignity afforded to everyone under our democratic ideals. Our hearts break for the people still living under tyranny.

Arguments in Support

None on file

Arguments in Opposition

None on file

FISCAL COMMENTS

No fiscal impact. This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

VOTES

ASM RULES: 7-0-4

YES: Pacheco, Ahrens, Mark González, Krell, Michelle Rodriguez, Sanchez, Arambula

ABS, ABST OR NV: Lackey, Flora, Irwin, Patel

UPDATED

VERSION: March 24, 2025

CONSULTANT: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800 FN: 0000199

Date of Hearing: March 28, 2025

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES

Blanca Pacheco, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:ACR 6 (

Author:Ta) – As Amended Ver:March 24, 2025

SUBJECT: Black April Memorial Month.

SUMMARY: Proclaims the month of April 2025 as Black April Memorial Month and encourages the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag to be flown throughout the state in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. April 30, 2025, marks the 50th year since the Fall of Saigon, on April 30, 1975, to communism.
2. For many Vietnam and Vietnam-era veterans who were directly involved in the war and Vietnamese Americans who have settled in the United States, the Vietnam War was a tragedy, full of great suffering and loss of American, Vietnamese, and Southeast Asian lives.
3. After the Fall of Saigon, millions of Vietnamese and their families fled Vietnam to surrounding areas and to the United States, including, but not limited to, former military personnel, government officials, and those who had worked for the United States during the war.
4. Today, more than 600,000 Vietnamese residents live in California, with the largest concentration of Vietnamese residents found outside of Vietnam residing in the County of Orange.
5. We must teach our children and future generations important lessons from the Vietnam War and the continuing situation in Vietnam, including how the plight of the Vietnamese refugees following the end of the war serves as a powerful example of the values of freedom and democracy.
6. We, the people of California, should actively rededicate ourselves to the principles of human rights, individual freedom, sovereignty, and equal protection under the laws of a just and democratic world. Californians should set aside moments of time every year on April 30 to give remembrance to the soldiers, medical personnel, and civilians who died during the Vietnam War in pursuit of freedom and democracy.
7. Vietnamese American communities throughout California will commemorate April 30, 2025, as Black April, a day of remembrance and rededication to the principles of freedom, including freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and internet freedom.
8. In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, the Legislature encourages that the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag, which is recognized by the state of California as a symbol of the Vietnamese community’s continued struggle for freedom and liberty for the people of Vietnam, be flown throughout the state.

FISCAL EFFECT: This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800