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2005 -- S 0370 | |
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LC02089 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
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IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
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JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2005 | |
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N | |
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RECOGNIZING THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR "THE YEAR OF THE | |
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ROOSTER" | |
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Introduced By: Senators Issa, Walaska, McBurney, and Pichardo | |
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Date Introduced: February 09, 2005 | |
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Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration | |
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WHEREAS, The most important and popular of Chinese festivals, the date of the New |
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Year celebration is fixed traditionally according to the Chinese lunar calendar as the second new |
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moon after the winter solstice. This year the celebration falls on February 9, 2005. |
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WHEREAS, No one is certain how far back New Year celebrations go in Chinese |
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history. Their religious background involves clearing away the bad luck of the old year and |
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beginning a new one. It was also believed that the various "god-like" spirits had to report on the |
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past year to the ruler of heaven, the Jade Emperor. Many Chinese still open celebrations by |
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burning a paper image of Tsao Wang, the hearth god, thus sending him on his way one week |
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before the new year; and |
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WHEREAS, Usually on the day before New Year's Eve, men pay ceremonial visits to |
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friends and associates, wishing them luck with the traditional greeting kung-hsi fa-ts'ai, meaning |
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"Happy greetings and may you gather wealth." On the last day of the year, final preparations are |
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made for the family's New Year's Eve feast, the highlight of the celebration. Before the meal, all |
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doors are sealed with strips of paper to prevent the entrance of evil, and no one may enter or leave |
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until these are removed shortly before dawn. After the meal, gifts are exchanged and, at |
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midnight, solemn greetings and family ceremonies take place; and |
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WHEREAS, Traditionally, the festivities last 15 days until the Lantern Festival, a time |
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for parades of elaborate paper lanterns and street dances by dragons or lions. New Year is also a |
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time for giving alms to the poor and for eating special lucky foods; and |
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WHEREAS, Each Chinese year is popularly known by one of the 12 animals of the |
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Chinese Zodiac. These names provided a ready reference because each is used only once in 12 |
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years. This year will be celebrated as "The Year of the Rooster"; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations |
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hereby recognizes the celebration of the Chinese New Year -- "The Year of the Rooster". This |
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senate also wishes to extend its deepest respect and appreciation to the Rhode Island Chinese |
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community for all that it has contributed to the rich diversity of Rhode Island culture. The |
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closeness of the traditional Chinese family, its dynamic work ethic, and its innumerable |
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endowments to literature and the performing arts inspire us all; and be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to |
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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Louis Yip. |
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LC02089 | |
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