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Meng Reintroduces Resolution Seeking House Recognition of Lunar New Year

February 4, 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) reintroduced a resolution today that seeks the House of Representatives' recognition of Lunar New Year, as the Asian American community prepares to celebrate the holiday on Tuesday.
"Each year, more and more Americans, and more communities throughout the U.S., recognize and celebrate Lunar New Year," said Meng. "With the holiday becoming more popular, and with the Asian American community continuing to grow, the time is right for the House to acknowledge this important celebration. Officially recognizing Lunar New Year would also show the House's appreciation for the rich cultural and ethnic diversity that exists across our nation. I look forward to my resolution moving through the legislative process and I urge all of my colleagues to support it."
Lunar New Year, which celebrates the heritage, culture, and contributions of Asian Americans, is the most significant time of the year for the Asian American community. This year will mark the Year of the Pig.
Meng's resolution would recognize the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year, and express the deepest respect for Asian Americans and all individuals throughout the world who celebrate the holiday. The measure, which details the history and customs of Lunar New Year, would also wish Asian Americans and all who observe the Lunar celebration a happy and prosperous New Year.
In addition to the resolution, Meng on Tuesday will mark the anniversary of Lunar New Year becoming a school holiday in New York City, a public school holiday that she played a role in creating in 2016. The Congresswoman first proposed closing New York City schools for Lunar New Year when she was a member of the New York State Legislature in 2009.
Meng's resolution has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Original cosponsors include: Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA), Sean Casten (D-IL), Judy Chu (D-CA), Gilbert Cisneros Jr. (D-CA), Katherine Clark (D-MA), Gerald Connolly (D-VA), TJ Cox (D-CA), Jason Crow (D-CO), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), John Garamendi (D-CA), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Deb Haaland (D-NM), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Doris Matsui (D-CA), James McGovern (D-MA), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), Scott Peters (D-CA), Katie Porter (D-CA), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Bobby Rush (D-IL), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Adam Smith (D-WA), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Mark Takano (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), David Trone (D-MD) and Nydia Velázquez (D-NY).
A copy of the resolution can be viewed here.