MI HR0279

Declares April 24-30, 2016, as Black April Memorial Week in Michigan to commemorate the 41st anniversary of the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, and the Vietnam War.

Honors the sacrifices of over 58,000 Americans killed and 304,000 wounded in the Vietnam War, along with 275,000 South Vietnamese soldiers and Vietnamese civilian casualties.

Recognizes the contributions of Vietnamese refugees and immigrants who fled Vietnam in multiple waves (1975, 1977-1980s, post-1985, and 1990s), with nearly 800,000 boat people risking their lives to escape communism and eventually resettle in the United States.

Acknowledges that more than 17,000 Vietnamese now live in Michigan and have successfully integrated into American society, achieving success in business, science, medicine, politics, military service, and other fields.

Establishes Black April as a time for Michiganians to reflect on the tragedy of the Vietnam War era, honor lives lost, and recognize the resilience and democratic values represented by the Vietnamese-American community.