Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Derek Tran (CA-45), alongside CAPAC Chair Grace Meng (NY-06) and Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), and Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), held a press conference to recognize April 30th as Black April and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon. The Congressman was also joined by Virginia Delegate Kathy Tran and Christina Bich-Tram Le, a Vietnamese-American journalist and community activist from Little Saigon in Orange County, California.
Congressman Tran shared the story of the Vietnamese refugees who fled brutal oppression by the communist regime in 1975, highlighting their bravery and the sacrifices they made as they searched uncharted waters for liberation abroad. Congressman Tran honored the memory of those who perished in that pursuit, and paid tribute to the former Republic of Vietnam veterans and U.S. veterans who fought to uphold democracy in Vietnam. The Congressman also celebrated the numerous contributions of the Vietnamese community to our country over the past 50 years, and discussed the significance of his role as the first Vietnamese-American Member of Congress to represent the world’s largest Vietnamese diaspora.
Congressman Tran also introduced a bipartisan Congressional Resolution to formally mark April 30 as Black April. This resolution will acknowledge the many contributions of Vietnamese Americans to the United States, and ensure that the history of the fall of Saigon and the stories of Vietnamese refugees are forever preserved.
“I am proud to introduce a bipartisan resolution with many of my distinguished colleagues to formally recognize April 30th as Black April and ensure our history is never rewritten,” said Rep. Derek Tran. “Black April–or Tháng Tư Đen in Vietnamese–is not just a solemn day in history, it is a reminder of the day we lost everything–our homes, our livelihoods, and our beloved country. We mourn not only those who fought for freedom, but the countless innocent lives lost during the war, those who perished at the hands of the communist regime in the aftermath, and the brave souls who were lost fleeing repression on boats. I share my own story with hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese Americans born to parents who fled our homeland with nothing. And now, as we reflect on the past 50 years since the fall of Saigon, we do so not just in solemn remembrance, but in celebration of what we have built together. From the ashes of war, we have risen.”
“As we reflect on the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, let us remember the price of freedom and the sacrifices made by millions of veterans and refugees — but also the strength, courage, and resilience of the Vietnamese American community. Their invaluable contributions can be seen in every corner of society, from the thousands of Vietnamese-owned businesses across the country to right here in Washington with Rep. Derek Tran, who has shown us that in just one generation, a child of refugees can become a member of Congress. We will not stop fighting to keep the American Dream alive and to create a world that is fair, just, and full of opportunity for all,” said Rep. Grace Meng, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
“This Black April, I am proud to join my colleagues as we honor the experiences and personal histories of the refugees who fled Vietnam and recognize the spirit of resilience and determination of the Vietnamese American community,” said Rep. Judy Chu. Today, and every day, let us reaffirm our commitment to the ideals that the Vietnamese refugee community risked everything to find – freedom, human rights, and democracy.”
“I am proud to co-lead the introduction of a Resolution recognizing the significance of the 50th 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.
“What so many have endured is something that we need to honor and remember, particularly for those who lost their lives, but at the same time, we should feel blessed to have the bounty of this incredible community here in our country,” said Rep. Sam Liccardo. And for that, I say to our Vietnamese-American community: cảm ơn.”
“Our story underscores why we must not be afraid to continue making America a welcoming nation,” said Virginia Delegate Kathy Tran. When we welcome those who come to our shores fleeing repression in search of freedom and opportunity, we uphold our nation’s best vision of itself as a beacon of light and hope. And those who come enrich the fabric of our nation in turn. In this way, the story of Vietnamese Americans is not only the story of our people’s success in overcoming extraordinary challenges. It is a quintessentially American story—the story of America at its best.”
“Today, we reaffirm our commitment to the values that carried our community through the darkest of times—freedom, democracy, dignity, and basic human rights,”said Vietnamese American community activist Christina Bich-Tram Le. This anniversary is not just a time of mourning. It is a celebration—of survival, renewal, and the achievements of a community that refused to be broken. We carry our history with pride. And we pass it on with purpose.”
Black April is a solemn time for the Vietnamese community to remember the sacrifices of those who fled their homeland in search of freedom, and to honor the resilience of the refugees who have rebuilt their lives around the world. Rep. Tran is the first Vietnamese American elected to the U.S. Congress from California and the son of refugees who fled communist Vietnam. California’s 45th Congressional District is home to Little Saigon, the largest Vietnamese diaspora in the world.
