Alan Lowenthal: “40 years ago, the fall of Saigon ended the war in Vietnam and began the journey for hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese…”

“40 years ago, the fall of Saigon ended the war in Vietnam and began the journey for hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese who were forced to flee their land for foreign shores like America. This April, we remember those Vietnamese, Americans, and their allies who lost their lives in Vietnam and for the many thousands of boat people who perished while fleeing Vietnam on the ``journey to freedom.'' Today, in communities throughout our Nation, Vietnamese Americans contribute daily to the tapestry that we call American life. On this 40th anniversary of Black April, we also cannot forget the continuing struggle in Vietnam for democracy, freedom, and basic human rights. Today, I am introducing a resolution commemorating this historic event, remembering those who gave their lives, and honoring the Vietnamese community in the United States. ____________________”