Congressman Derek Tran Introduces Bipartisan Resolution to Recognize the 50th Anniversary of Black April and the Fall of Saigon

Washington, D.C.- Yesterday, Representative Derek Tran (D-CA) introduced a bipartisan resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives recognizing the 50th anniversary of Black April and the Fall of Saigon, which occurred on April 30, 1975. Congressman Derek Tran is the only Vietnamese American currently serving in Congress, the son of Vietnamese refugees, and the first Vietnamese American to represent Orange County - home to the largest Vietnamese diaspora in the world - in Congress.

The resolution honors the resilience of the Vietnamese American community and their vital contributions to the United States. Congressman Tran was joined by Reps. Young Kim (R-CA), Lou Correa (D-CA), and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) as co-leads.

The full text of the resolution is HERE.

The resolution acknowledges the tragic events of April 30, 1975, when the Republic of Vietnam fell to the communist regime. These events led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees, many of whom were welcomed into the United States. The resolution also celebrated the many accomplishments of the Vietnamese diaspora community in America, especially in communities like Orange County which is home to the largest Vietnamese diaspora in the world. The text acknowledges the U.S. government's humanitarian efforts, such as Operations Frequent Wind, Babylift, New Life, and New Arrivals, which rescued tens of thousands of refugees. It also highlights the Vietnamese American community's ongoing advocacy for human rights and democracy, including their vocal opposition to the Vietnamese government's abuses.

The resolution is supported by 43 original co-sponsors including Reps. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Michael Baumgartner (R-WA), Wesley Bell (D-MO), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Janelle Bynum (D-OR), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Greg Casar (D-TX), Judy Chu (D-CA), Maxine Dexter (D-WA), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Laura Friedman (D-CA), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Adam Gray (D-CA), Pablo Hernandez (D-PR), Jeff Hurd (R-CO), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson Jr. (D-GA), Mike Kennedy (R-UT), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Sam Liccardo (D-CA), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Dave Min (D-CA), Scott Peters (D-CA), Josh Riley (D-NY), Luz Rivas (D-CA), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Darren Soto (D-FL), Suhas Subramanyan (D-VA), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Mark Takano (D-CA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Norma Torres (D-CA), and Gabe Vasquez (D-NM).

"Black April - Tháng Tư Đen - is not just a solemn day in history, it is a reminder of the day hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese people lost everything - our homes, our livelihoods, and our beloved country. Fifty years ago, hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees were forced to leave the only home they knew - most of them boarding boats on uncharted waters, not knowing what awaited them on the other side of their journey," said Rep. Derek Tran (D-CA). "I share my own story with hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese Americans born to parents who fled our homeland with nothing. We have built communities in America that are unparalleled in their strength, prosperity, and commitment to preserving our history. As the first Vietnamese American to represent Orange County's Little Saigon community in Congress, I am humbled by the responsibility to carry this history forward. As we commemorate this solemn milestone, I invite my colleagues to join me in commemorating this solemn milestone and recommit to the values that matter most - democracy, human rights, and freedom."

"I grew up and live in Orange County. And Orange County is home to the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam. As a member of Congress, I ask that we remember those one million Vietnamese individuals who were forced to flee from their homes, many of whom found safe haven right here in Orange County, and the nearly sixty thousand American service members who lost their lives fighting for freedom in Vietnam," Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) said."We must never relent in our commitment to keeping alive the memory of those lost, protecting human rights, and defending democracy-at home, and abroad."

"I am proud to co-lead the introduction of a Resolution recognizing the significance of the 50^th Anniversary of Black April and the Fall of Saigon alongside my Vietnam Caucus Co-Chairs. This Resolution honors the U.S. Army and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam who fought side-by-side to uphold the values of democracy, human rights, and freedom for all people and the contributions of Vietnamese Americans to the United States over the last 50 years. Our country has been changed for the better by Vietnamese American families and individuals," said Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA).

"Orange County is proudly home to the largest Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam, and many Vietnamese Americans I represent fled Vietnam during the Fall of Saigon. As we mark the 50th anniversary of Black April, my heart is with our Vietnamese American community, the 2.7 million Americans who fought to protect Vietnam from communism, and Vietnamese people oppressed by the Vietnamese government," said Rep. Young Kim (R-CA)."I am proud to join this bipartisan resolution and will do my part as House Foreign Affairs East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee Chairwoman to work toward a better Vietnam that upholds human rights and freedom."

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Congressman Derek Tran represents California's 45th Congressional District. Serving his first term in Congress, Congressman Tran is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Small Business Committee, where he is Ranking Member of the Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee. Congressman Tran is the son of Vietnamese refugees, a Veteran, and fought for consumers as an attorney before entering Congress.