Download This Version in Microsoft Word format
TO REQUEST THAT ALL STATE AGENCIES AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY CURRENTLY ARE FLYING AND DISPLAYING THE FLAG, REFRAIN FROM FLYING AND DISPLAYING THE FLAG OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM.
Whereas, the display of the flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on the central campus of the University of Houston, as well as on other campuses of higher learning, 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 and is seen as a lack of respect to these esteemed citizens and the struggles they had to overcome; and
Whereas, 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 of Vietnamese unity and independence by France; and
Whereas, all state agencies and public institutions of higher learning 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 by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly request that all state agencies and public institutions of higher learning in the State of South Carolina, to the extent that they are currently flying and displaying the flag, refrain from flying and displaying the flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
This web page was last updated on February 12, 2015 at 11:23 AM