Meng Introduces Lunar New Year Resolution Celebrating the Year of the Dragon

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the Asian American community begins to celebrate Lunar New Year on Saturday, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens), First Vice-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), announced today that she introduced a resolution to recognize the holiday (H.Res.1002). This year marks the Year of the Dragon, and the resolution follows Meng introducing legislation last year to make Lunar New Year a federal holiday.

“Lunar New Year is a special time for thousands of families in Queens, along with millions of people around the world,” said Congresswoman Meng. “It is time for Congress to acknowledge it, and properly recognize it as a cultural holiday integral to American life. I will continue pushing for Congress to properly observe Lunar New Year, and I wish all who celebrate a happy, peaceful and prosperous new year.”

Meng's resolution expresses respect for Asian Americans, non-Asian Americans and all individuals throughout the world who celebrate the holiday. The measure, which details the history and customs of Lunar New Year, also wishes all who celebrate a happy and prosperous New Year.

The resolution has 78 original cosponsors including: Reps. Colin Allred (D-TX), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Ami Bera (D-CA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Ed Case (D-HI), Judy Chu (D-CA), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Lou Correa (D-CA), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Jason Crow (D-CO), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), Bill Foster (D-IL), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), John Garamendi (D-CA), Daniel Goldman (D-NY), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Al Green (D-TX), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Henry C. Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Derek Kilmer (D-MA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Young Kim (R-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Susie Lee (D-NV), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Wiley Nickel (D-NC), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), Scott Peters (D-CA), Katie Porter (D-CA), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Gregorio Sablan (D-MP), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Robert C. Scott (D-VA), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), Michelle Steel (R-CA), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Mark Takano (D-CA), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Dina Titus (D-NV), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Norma Torres (D-CA), David Trone (D-MD), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Bonnie Watson Colemen (D-NJ) and Nikema Williams (D-GA).

Details on Meng’s bill to make Lunar New Year a federal holiday can be viewed here.

In New York City, Meng played a role in creating a school holiday for the city’s public schools, and she joinedNew York Governor Kathy Hochul last year as the Governor signed legislation declaring Lunar New Year a public school holiday in New York State. The Congresswoman first proposed closing New York schools for Lunar New Year when she was a member of the New York State Legislature in 2009.

The Year of the Dragon on the Chinese zodiac calendar represents nobility, honor, luck and success.