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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The observance of Vietnamese American Day at the |
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State Capitol on May 17, 2023, provides a welcome opportunity to |
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recognize the wide-ranging contributions that Vietnamese Americans |
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have made to the history and vitality of Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, The state has a long and storied history of |
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Vietnamese immigration that dates back to the late 1970s and early |
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1980s, when many Vietnamese refugees were resettled in Texas, |
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particularly in Houston and Dallas, following the fall of Saigon |
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and the end of the Vietnam War; today, Texas boasts the second |
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largest Vietnamese American population in the country, with more |
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than 210,000 Vietnamese American residents, and Houston and Dallas |
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are home to thriving Vietnamese American communities; and |
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WHEREAS, Vietnamese Americans have faced many hardships |
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along the way, including language barriers, discrimination, and |
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cultural differences, and despite those challenges, they have built |
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prosperous communities and have become active participants in civic |
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life; through their determination, leadership, and strong |
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entrepreneurial skills, they have made significant contributions |
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to the state's economy in areas such as small business ownership, |
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workforce development, and international trade; Vietnamese |
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Americans have further contributed to their communities by serving |
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as elected officials, law enforcement officers, and military |
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personnel, as well as by supporting education, health care, and |
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social services, and they have demonstrated a strong commitment to |
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uplifting all Texans, particularly those facing adversity; |
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moreover, they have helped enrich the state's cultural diversity |
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through their food, music, art, and language; and |
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WHEREAS, The Vietnamese American community has contributed |
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immeasurably to the prosperity and vibrancy of the Lone Star State, |
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and they may indeed take pride in their instrumental role in the |
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story of Texas; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize May 17, 2023, as Vietnamese American |
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Day at the State Capitol. |