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Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA), with Reps. Alan Lowenthal (D-47), and Lou Correa (D-46), introduced a bipartisan House Resolution recognizing the significance of and commemorating the 47th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon and the tragic collapse of the Republic of Vietnam. The three Congress Members each represent a portion of the Little Saigon community in Orange County, California – the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam.
In April of 1975, North Vietnam began an offensive campaign attacking cities in South Vietnam with the goal of overtaking the country, which blatantly violated the terms of the Paris Peace Accord. On April 30, Saigon, the capital of the Republic of Vietnam, was invaded by communist forces in an event known as the “Fall of Saigon.” Each year, Vietnamese American communities across the United States commemorate these events during the month of “Black April.”
The resolution honors the service members of the United States, the Republic of Vietnam, and allied forces that fought and died during the Vietnam War, the hundreds of thousands who lost their lives attempting to flee Vietnam, the millions more that found safety in nations around the world, and the accomplishments and contributions of Vietnamese Americans to our nation over the past 46 years.
“I am so proud to represent Little Saigon, which is home to more Vietnamese Americans than anywhere else in the United States,” said Rep. Steel. “Those who fled the communist Vietnam to find freedom in America know how valuable our democracy is. I join Vietnamese in Orange County and worldwide in remembering and honoring those who served in Vietnam and those who lost their lives attempting to flee communism.”
Click here to read the full text of the resolution.
In addition to Reps. Steel, Lowenthal, and Correa, the resolution is also cosponsored by Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Young Kim (R-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY).
