CITY OF FRESNO
Offices of Council President Karbassi & Vice President Arias
WHEREAS, Mr. Lue N. Yang was born on April 10, 1955, in Phousavanh, Xieng Khouang, Laos, and at the young age of 14, demonstrated extraordinary courage and resolve by serving in the military during the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, after two years of service, Mr. Yang transitioned to furthering his education in Vientiane, where he pursued academic achievement before embarking on a distinguished career in service; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Yang’s commitment to service extended to his role as a Peace Officer for the United States Embassy from 1972 to 1975, embodying the values of discipline, leadership, and dedication; and
WHEREAS, as the Vietnam War ended in 1975, Mr. Yang fled to Thailand as part of the Hmong refugee movement and resettled in the United States in 1976, beginning a new chapter in his life with the indomitable spirit that he carried throughout his journey; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Yang contributed his skills and expertise to the Vietnamese Indochinese Volunteer Agency (VIVA) and the Department of Labor in Hawaii, assisting refugees and immigrants as they navigated the challenges of resettlement in the United States; and
WHEREAS, in 1981, Mr. Yang moved to Des Moines, Iowa, continuing his work with Volunteer Enrichment Services, and later relocated to Fresno, California, in 1991, where he became a leading advocate for the Southeast Asian community; and
WHEREAS, in 1992, Mr. Yang began his tenure at the Fresno Center for New Americans (FCNA), where he would serve as Executive Director for 25 years, growing the organization into a vital resource for the Southeast Asian and refugee communities, overseeing 14 programs with an annual budget of $6.8 million and a team of 38 bilingual and bicultural staff members. Under Mr. Yang's visionary leadership, FCNA implemented key programs such as the Living Well Project, the first Hmong Mental Health program in the state, and the Adult Day Health Care program, which continues to serve as the backbone of FCNA's mission; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Yang’s advocacy efforts led to significant policy changes and improvements in resources for refugees and immigrants in Fresno, including the establishment of the first Hmong Detective within Fresno’s Police Department, leadership roles within Fresno Unified School District, and more diverse staffing at public institutions, which better served the needs of the Southeast Asian community; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Yang was instrumental in advocating for the last group of Hmong refugees to be recognized to come to the United States, assessing their needs and ensuring that programs such as the New American School were created to support their transition into American society. Mr. Yang has been an early pioneer in shaping the Hmong community’s leadership, and his work has been recognized locally and nationally, with notable awards from The James Irvine Foundation, Portrait of Success with KSEE 24, and Hmong National Development; and
WHEREAS, as we approach the 50th Anniversary of the Hmong community’s presence in the United States, it is only fitting to recognize Mr. Lue N. Yang for his lifetime of dedication, advocacy, and leadership that has shaped the lives of countless individuals, families, and communities, ensuring a legacy of progress and empowerment.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, Mayor Jerry Dyer and the Fresno City Council, do hereby recognize:
“Lue N. Yang Day”
in the City of Fresno.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands and
affixed the seal of the City of Fresno, California, this 10 th
day of April 2025.
_____________________________________________
JERRY P. DYER, Honorable Mayor
_____________________________________________ __________________________________________ MIKE KARBASSI, Council President MIGUEL ARIAS, Council Vice President
_____________________________________________ __________________________________________ ANNALISA PEREA, Councilmember District 1 TYLER MAXWELL, Councilmember District 4
_____________________________________________ __________________________________________ NICK RICHARDSON, Councilmember District 6 NELSON ESPARZA, Councilmember District 7