Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Resolution Setting an Annual Day of Reaffirmation to Recognize the Flag of the Republic of Vietnam.
End
From: Christine Cordon, City Manager
Requested by: Councilwoman Amy Phan West;
Vice Mayor Kimberly Ho
Prepared by*: Christine Cordon, City Manager
*Staff reports prepared by staff on behalf of members of the City Council do not reflect the opinions of staff and are generated in collaboration with the requesting council member(s).
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Consider the annual reaffirmation date to recognize the flag of the Republic of Vietnam and provide direction to adopt a Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, SETTING AN ANNUAL DAY OF REAFFIRMATION TO RECOGNIZE THE FLAG OF THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 5237,” and setting the date of reaffirmation to three days prior to the first day of the Lunar New Year.
BACKGROUND
At the January 10, 2024 meeting, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 5237, recognizing the flag of the Republic of Vietnam and declaring an annual day of reaffirmation. Because there was not a consensus on the date for a reaffirmation day, the City Council adopted the resolution, but asked that the date be determined by the original proposer and presented at a later meeting.
Councilwoman Amy Phan West (District 1) and Vice Mayor Kimberly Ho (District 3), who seconded the item regarding the date, are requesting that the City Council consider the reaffirmation day to be set annually on a day that is three days prior to the Lunar New Year.
The Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the lunar calendar year and holds significance in many cultures, including in the Vietnamese culture where it is known as Tet or Tet Nguyen Dan. Tet is widely celebrated and is a time for families to come together to welcome the new year and also express their respects to ancestors.
Westminster is visited by many in the Vietnamese community during the Lunar New Year, including the week leading up to Tet and after. The flag of the Republic of Vietnam symbolizes and honors the Vietnamese community and is a reminder of the sacrifices of the Vietnamese people and American and Vietnamese soldiers in fighting oppression and communism. However, it is also a symbol of strength, resilience, and honor. Having the flag flown during this time will allow members of the community and visitors to come together and honor the flag while celebrating the new year and the Vietnamese culture.
Therefore, Councilwoman Phan West and Vice Mayor Ho are requesting that the City Council adopt the proposed resolution (Attachment 2) to recognize the flag of the Republic of Vietnam annually, three days prior to the Lunar New Year, as “Vietnam Flag Reaffirmation Day (The Three Red Stripes Upon a Field of Gold)” and fly the flag in front of the Civic Center, beginning on this date and flown for 10 days. The reaffirmation day this year would be February 7, 2024; the first day of the Lunar New Year is February 10, 2024.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
The City Council is requested to consider the resolution. By adopting the resolution, the City Council designates a reaffirmation day to honor the flag of the Republic of Vietnam.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No. 5237, Adopted January 10, 2024
2. Proposed Amended Resolution
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
Christian Bettenhausen, City Attorney
Christine Cordon, City Manager