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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, April 30, 2011, marks the 36th anniversary of the |
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fall of Saigon and the Republic of Vietnam to communist forces, |
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concluding a war that had an immense impact on the people of Vietnam |
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as well as citizens of the United States and the State of Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, That fateful day in 1975 marked the end of a long and |
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bitter war, but it did not diminish the courage of the individuals |
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who fought to defend South Vietnam, including the members of the |
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Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) and the U.S. armed forces; it |
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is estimated that around a quarter of a million ARVN troops were |
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killed during the course of hostilities while more than 58,000 men |
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and women in the U.S. military made the ultimate sacrifice; |
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moreover, millions of other individuals served valiantly in both |
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armies, and their contributions deserve to be recognized and |
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respected; and |
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WHEREAS, Reflections on the Vietnam War offer a sobering |
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reminder that soldiers are not the only ones to suffer and die when |
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armies do battle; a terrible toll was exacted on the civilian |
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population of Vietnam, and our thoughts go out to the families of |
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those millions of victims on this somber anniversary; and |
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WHEREAS, While a great sense of tragedy surrounds the war, it |
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is fitting to remember that many Vietnamese were able to make a new |
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start in the United States after being violently displaced from |
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their homeland by the communist takeover; those individuals |
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overcame great obstacles to successfully adapt to a new country and |
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created a prosperous future for themselves and their descendants, |
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and the State of Texas has benefited significantly from the |
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contributions of the Vietnamese Americans who have made their homes |
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here; and |
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WHEREAS, Though more than three and a half decades have |
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passed since April 30, 1975, the events that unfolded on that day in |
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Saigon continue to resonate for countless people, and acknowledging |
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the bravery, sacrifice, and fortitude associated with the Vietnam |
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War remains as important today as it has been in years past; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby observe the 36th anniversary of the fall of |
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Saigon and urge the state's citizens to pay tribute to all those |
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whose lives were touched by the Vietnam War. |
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Vo |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1171 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the House on April 14, 2011. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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