SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 690
	WHEREAS, After the Vietnam War ended, a large number of
	Vietnamese refugees immigrated to the United States, and many
	moved to the metropolitan areas and coastal regions of Texas; and
	WHEREAS, These first-generation Vietnamese Americans
	worked hard and flourished in Texas, and now the state is home to
	the second-largest Vietnamese population in the United States,
	with more than 210,000 residents of Vietnamese descent, nearly
	half of whom live in the Houston-Sugarland-Baytown area; and
	WHEREAS, Vietnamese Americans have fully embraced the
	freedoms of speech and religion and all of the democratic
	principles that the United States offers; and
	WHEREAS, Vietnamese Americans have denied the authority of
	the Vietnamese Communist Flag and pushed for governments to
	officially recognize the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag,
	which symbolizes both the Vietnamese cultural heritage and a
	deeply rooted resilience and yearning for democracy; and
	WHEREAS, Vietnamese Americans strongly support education,
	and their children are graduating from high schools and higher
	education institutions at high rates; and
	WHEREAS, The Lone Star State has benefited enormously from
	the contributions of its Vietnamese American residents; and
	WHEREAS, The Vietnamese American community plays a vital
	role in the business, professional, and cultural life not only of
	the Lone Star State but also of the country; the number of small
	businesses owned by Vietnamese Americans has grown
	substantially, and these firms have created more than 166,000
	jobs nationwide, adding billions of dollars to the economy; in
	addition, Vietnamese Americans contribute to their communities
	in a myriad of ways, as teachers, lawyers, writers, actors,
	doctors, mayors, judges, and public servants; among the many
	Vietnamese Americans who have led notable careers are astronaut
	Eugene H. Trinh, former Dallas Cowboy Dat Nguyen, and scientist
	Nguyet Anh Duong, who developed the thermobaric weapon, which has
	been vital to United States military efforts; and
	WHEREAS, For many decades, people of Vietnamese descent
	have excelled in our society and economy, enriched our cultural
	tapestry, and helped enhance and secure the Lone Star State's
	reputation as a land of promise and possibility; now, therefore,
	be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
	83rd Legislature, hereby recognize April 17, 2013, as Vietnamese
	American Day at the State Capitol and extend to each visitor here
	for the occasion best wishes for a memorable and enjoyable day in
	Austin; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
	honor of this special day.
	Ellis
		________________________________
		President of the Senate
		I hereby certify that the
		above Resolution was adopted by
		the Senate on April 17, 2013.
		________________________________
		Secretary of the Senate
		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate