| R 086 |
| 2024 -- H 7553 Enacted 02/08/2024 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| RECOGNIZING THE CELEBRATION OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR "THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON" ON FEBRUARY 10TH OF 2024 |
Introduced By: Representatives Kennedy, Fenton-Fung, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Edwards, Diaz, McNamara, Ackerman, and Azzinaro |
| Date Introduced: February 08, 2024 |
| WHEREAS, The most important and popular of festivals, the date of the Lunar New |
| Year celebration is fixed traditionally according to the lunar calendar as the second new moon |
| after the winter solstice; and |
| WHEREAS, Lunar New Year is celebrated by more than 20 percent of the world. This |
| year the celebration falls on February 10, 2024; and |
| WHEREAS, No one is certain how far back the New Year celebrations go in history. |
| Their religious background involves clearing away the bad luck of the old year and beginning |
| anew. It was also believed that the various god-like spirits had to report on the past year to the |
| ruler of heaven, the Jade Emperor. Many still open the celebrations by burning a paper image of |
| Tsao Wang, the hearth god, thus sending him on his way one week before the new year; and |
| WHEREAS, Usually on the day before the Lunar New Year's Eve, men pay ceremonial |
| visits to friends and associates, wishing them luck. On the last day of the year, final preparations |
| are made for the family's New Year's Eve feast, the highlight of the celebration. Before the meal, |
| all doors are sealed with strips of paper to prevent the entrance of evil, and no one may enter or |
| leave until these are removed shortly before dawn. After the meal, gifts are exchanged and, at |
| midnight, solemn greetings and family ceremonies take place; and |
| WHEREAS, Traditionally, the festivities last 16 days until the Lantern Festival, a time |
| for parades of elaborate paper lanterns and street dances by dragons or lions. New Year is also a |
| time for giving alms to the poor and for eating special lucky foods; and |
| WHEREAS, Each lunar year is popularly known by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese |
| Zodiac. These names provide a ready reference because each is used only once in 12 years. This |
| year will be celebrated as "The Year of the Dragon"; now, therefore, be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| recognizes the celebration of the Lunar New Year--"The Year of the Dragon." This House also |
| wishes to extend its deepest respect and appreciation to the Rhode Island Asian community for all |
| that it has contributed to the rich diversity of Rhode Island culture. The closeness of the |
| traditional Asian family, its dynamic work ethic, and its innumerable endowments to literature |
| and the performing arts inspire us all; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Association of Chinese |
| Americans. |
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| LC004462 |
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