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Meng Reintroduces Legislation To Make Lunar New Year A Federal Holiday

January 20, 2023

Measure part of legislative package the Congresswoman reintroduces as Asian Americans prepare to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit

WASHINGTON, D.C.–As the Asian American community prepares to begin celebrating Lunar New Year on Sunday, January 22, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens), First Vice Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, today reintroduced a package of legislation to commemorate the holiday.
 
 
Meng's legislative Lunar New Year package includes the Lunar New Year Day Act which would establish Lunar New Year as the 12th federal holiday recognized across the United States. It also includes a resolution, the "Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year" that commemorates the long history and explains the cultural importance of the holiday.
 
 
"Lunar New Year is one of the most significant holidays for the Asian American community. Dating back over 4,000 years, today it is celebrated by millions of Asian Americans and many non-Asian Americans in the United States," said Meng. "I have been championing efforts to celebrate and recognize this holiday since I was a member of the New York State Assembly. I was thrilled to help New York City be among the first municipalities to make Lunar New Year a public school holiday, and I am honored to continue leading this effort at the federal level. Asian Americans are the fastest growing ethnic group in our country, and it is important that our history and culture be recognized as part of this nation's shared culture. My federal holiday bill is about more than just a day off from work or school. It is about educating people on cultural practices and expanding experiences beyond one's individual heritage. I look forward to shepherding this bill through the House and would like to wish everybody celebrating in Queens and around the world a happy, healthy, and prosperous Year of the Rabbit!"
 
 
"On behalf of the members of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, we thank Congresswoman Meng for her continued, exemplary leadership," said Gregg Orton, National Director of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA). "Lunar New Year holds great importance to so many families within our community, so to see it uplifted in Congress, and more widely acknowledged in different spaces, is a small, but significant, sign of progress. We wish all good health and success in the year to come!"
 
 
"The Lunar New Year is a culturally-rich and family-focused celebration for many Asian Americans and Asians across the globe. For generations, it has been an opportunity for extended family members and close friends to gather to welcome a new year with traditional foods and blessings for loved ones," said Abraham Kim, Executive Director of the Council of Korean Americans (CKA). "We applaud Congresswoman Meng's effort to recognize this important holiday in the United States so that many Asian Americans can reflect on and honor their heritage, family ties, and history."
 
 
"We celebrate the reintroduction of Rep. Meng's resolution and bill to honor and celebrate the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year," said Quyên Đinh, Executive Director of Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC). "The Lunar New Year is an important celebration for many Southeast Asians. We hope that Congress will recognize the many Americans who celebrate this holiday and that this package serves as a reminder of the prosperity and strength of our nation when we embrace our many peoples and cultures."
 
 
"United Chinese Americans (UCA) applauds Congresswoman Meng's legislative leadership and commitment in bringing to the floor the Lunar New Year as Federal holiday bill. UCA will work in tandem with Congresswoman Meng to advance this bill to make America a truly diverse and pluralistic democracy," said Haipei Shue, President of United Chinese Americans (UCA).
 
 
Lunar New Year celebrates the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. People often celebrate with festivals, special foods, gatherings with family and loved ones, and a variety of cultural traditions and performances. In the U.S., the day also highlights the culture, heritage, and contributions of Asian Americans. This year celebrates the Year of the Rabbit, which is considered the luckiest of the 12 animals that are assigned to the Zodiac calendar. The Rabbit symbolizes elegance, peace, and mercy. Congresswoman Meng was born in the Year of the Rabbit. For Vietnamese Lunar New Year, this year marks the Year of the Cat.
 
 
A copy of Meng's holiday bill can be viewed here. A copy of her resolution is available here.
 
 
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