Senator Janet Nguyen Commemorates Black April Memorial Month with Senate Floor Presentation and Reception

Theo tin Thượng Nghị Sĩ Janet Nguyen

Tuesday, April 18, 2017
In a continued effort to pay tribute to the many lives lost during the Vietnam War and to raise awareness of the current conditions in Vietnam, Senator Janet Nguyen hosted a presentation on the Senate floor on Monday to present Senate Concurrent Resolution 2 (SCR2), designating April 2017 as Black April Memorial Month throughout the State of California. April 30, 2017 marks the 42nd Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon.

“Black April and the Fall of Saigon changed the course of millions of lives, including mine,” said Senator Janet Nguyen. “I am proud to author this resolution which not only declares the month of April as Black April Memorial Month, but which also provides Vietnamese-Americans, Veterans of the Armed Forces and all Californians, the opportunity to gather, honor and reflect upon the Vietnam War and its aftermath.”

Joining Senator Nguyen on the State floor were Veterans of the United States Armed Forces and the South Vietnamese Army, as well as ten community members from throughout the State of California. During her presentation, Senator Nguyen recognized these attendees for their efforts to defend democracy during the Vietnam War and for their contributions to the State of California. Among those recognized on the Senate floor were: Thomas K. Phan, Ngưu Tấn Phan, Vệ Trần, Dật Quang Lê, Richard Đẹp Bùi, Phạm Hữu Sơn, Mike-Mai, Dr. Vượng Đức Phạm, Đại Minh Mẫn, Thịnh Đỗ.

Prior to the presentation on the Senate floor, Senator Nguyen and nearly one hundred community members gathered at the Sacramento Vietnamese American community Center where they came together to reflect upon this important day in history.

“Today’s events were especially moving for me, because I was joined by Veterans of the United States Armed Forces and Veterans of the South Vietnamese Army, two groups that stood side by side more than 40 years ago and who continue to stand together today, in defense of freedom and democracy,” said Senator Janet Nguyen.

Senator Nguyen previously authored SCR 29 in 2015 and SCR 104 in 2016 designating the month of April in those respective years as Black April Memorial Month.