S-14-06

            WHEREAS California is the home to approximately 500,000 Vietnamese immigrants; and

            WHEREAS the Vietnamese-American community has made positive contributions to the historical, cultural, educational, and economic prosperity of California; and

            WHEREAS Vietnamese-Americans remain vigilant in opposing tyranny of all forms, actively supporting human rights for all people, and celebrating the principles of democracy, justice, and tolerance upon which our nation was founded; and

            WHEREAS the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam, with three red stripes upon a field of yellow, and dating back to 1948, has been and will continue to be a symbol of resilience, freedom, and democracy to many Vietnamese-Americans in California; and

            WHEREAS the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam is an important symbol in the history of Vietnamese-Americans and is now known as the Vietnamese Freedom and Heritage Flag; and

            WHEREAS the vast majority of California’s Vietnamese-Americans embrace the yellow and red-striped Freedom and Heritage Flag as the symbol of the Vietnamese-American community.

            NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, formally recognize the Vietnamese Freedom and Heritage Flag as the official symbol of the California Vietnamese-American community and support the efforts of California’s Vietnamese-American community to promote freedom and democracy.  By virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution and statutes of the State of California, I do hereby issue this Order to become effective immediately:

            The Vietnamese Freedom and Heritage Flag may be displayed on the premises of state buildings in connection with a state-sponsored Vietnamese-American ceremonial event, consistent with rules and protocol regarding the proper display of the United States and the State of California flags, including the provisions of title 4, chapter1 of the United States Code.

            I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this Order be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given to this Order.