CORREA INTRODUCES RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING BLACK APRIL MEMORIAL WEEK

April 04, 2013

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, State Senator Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 34 which designates April 23 through April 30, 2013 as “Black April Memorial Week,” in commemoration of the countless American and Vietnamese lives lost during the Vietnam War era.

“Nearly 60,000 U.S. service members and millions of Vietnamese lost their lives during the Vietnam War. It is imperative that we recognize their sacrifice and never forget this tragedy,” said Senator Correa.

On April 30, 1975 South Vietnam’s capital, Saigon, was captured by communist forces, marking the end of the Vietnam War. Following the Fall of Saigon several million Vietnamese fled Vietnam in pursuit of human rights, religious freedom and democracy. Refugees boarded boats to camps located throughout Southeast Asia, with anywhere from 50,000 to 200,000 dying at sea.

According to the 2010 Census, 581,946 Vietnamese people currently live in California. 183,766 Vietnamese live in Orange County, the largest population outside of Vietnam. SCR 34 is co-authored by the entire Orange County Legislative Delegation. While Vietnamese Americans have assimilated very successfully in the U.S., the struggle for a more humane and just life in Vietnam continues.

“My district is home to the single largest population of Vietnamese who live outside of Vietnam. I am proud to represent such a vibrant Vietnamese constituency and humbled by my Orange County colleagues who have joined me to honor the lives lost during the Vietnam War and support the struggle for freedom and democracy in Vietnam,” added Correa.

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