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HomeMy WebLinkAbout55B - RESO - OFFICIAL VISITS FROM SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAMREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 19, 2013 TITLE: RESOLUTION - REGARDING OFFICIAL VISITS FROM THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CITY AGER RECOMMENDED ACTION CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: APPROVED ? As Recommended ? As Amended ? Ordinance on Vt Reading ? Ordinance on 2nd Reading ? Implementing Resolution ? Set Public Hearing For_ CONTINUED TO FILE NUMBER Adopt a resolution regarding official visits from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. DISCUSSION After the fall of the Republic of South Vietnam in 1975, thousands of South Vietnamese refugees journeyed to the United States, with the assistance of U.S. Armed Forces, to escape the tyranny of the communist regime of North Vietnam. Orange County was designated as one of several resettlement locations in the United States for South Vietnamese refugees. Santa Ana received the vast majority of these refugees and thus became the original birthplace of the Vietnamese community in Orange County. Today, Vietnamese residents constitute 7.1 % of our City's population and they continue to be an integral and thriving community in Santa Ana. To affirm the City of Santa Ana's support for the Vietnamese community who overwhelmingly reject the dictatorial rule and oppressive nature of the Vietnamese government, the City Council directed staff at the November 19, 2012 City Council meeting to prepare a resolution in support of human rights, freedom, and democracy. Staff was also directed to include resolution language that the City of Santa Ana does not support or sanction high-profile visits to our community by officials of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The Cities of Westminster and Garden Grove have approved similar resolutions which discourage delegations, trade groups, and officials affiliated with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from visiting their respective cities. These resolutions were adopted to diminish any risk to public safety as a result of these officials visiting and conducting business in their cities. Since Santa Ana continues to be home to a large Vietnamese population, joining Westminster and Garden Grove in adopting a similar resolution is important to mitigate any potential public safety 55B-1 RESOLUTION - REGARDING OFFICIAL VISITS FROM THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM February 19, 2013 Page 2 risks that may arise as a result of visits by officials from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Santa Ana and surrounding cities. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. 55B-2 SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA REGARDING OFFICIAL VISITS FROM THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM WHEREAS, the City of Santa Ana is home to the first and largest resettlement of Vietnamese refugees in Orange County and it remains home to a large population of Vietnamese Americans who have sought refuge from the communist government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; WHEREAS, the City of Santa Ana wishes to express its solidarity and sympathy to victims of tyranny worldwide, especially those who have sought refuge from undemocratic regimes around the world and who have found their home in Santa Ana; WHEREAS, the City of Santa Ana continues to support and admire the aspirations of its Vietnamese American residents who are mostly refugees from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and who support their fellow countrymen's right to live in a free and democratic society in Vietnam; WHEREAS, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has systematically ignored the basic human rights of its people such as freedom to worship, right to free speech, freedom of assembly and right to elect their own government representatives, all of which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is obligated to provide as a member of United Nations and signatory to the International Covenant on the Civil and Political Rights; WHEREAS, the City of Santa Ana is the county seat of Orange County and home to federal, state and county government agencies to which international officials and diplomats frequent for official business; WHEREAS, any official visit by representatives of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the City of Santa Ana will likely trigger protest by local residents who oppose Vietnam's human rights record and would drain financial and personnel resources from the City of Santa Ana in order to provide protection for the public and such officials during their visits; WHEREAS, the City opposes any expenditure incurred to protect visits by officials from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam where such visits are not welcomed by residents nor bring about any tangible benefit to the City; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the City of Santa Ana does hereby revolve as follows: 1. The City of Santa Ana discourages official government visits to the City of Santa Ana by representatives of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam until the United States State Department or international organizations certify or affirm that the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has improved its human rights record and accorded to its people the basic rights as mentioned above; 55B-3 2. Should officials from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam wish to visit or travel through the City of Santa Ana, they shall inform the Chief of Police at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to such visits and the Chief of Police must immediately inform the Mayor and Council Members of such visits; 3. The City of Santa Ana reserves its right to charge any entity or organization which invited or initiated such visits any or all costs incurred by the City of Santa Ana in response to such visits; Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council, and the Clerk of the Council shall attest to and certify the vote adopting this Resolution. ADOPTED this day of , 2013. Miguel A. Pulido Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney AYES: Councilmembers: NOES: Councilmembers: ABSTAIN: Councilmembers: NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers: CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY I, MARIA D. HUIZAR, Clerk of the Council, Resolution No. 2013-xxx to be the original City of Santa Ana on Date: do hereby attest to and certify the attached resolution adopted by the City Council of the Clerk of the Council City of Santa Ana 55B-4