2023 -- S 0042

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LC000259

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING THE CELEBRATION OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR "THE YEAR OF THE

RABBIT"

     Introduced By: Senators Cano, Gu, and Ujifusa

     Date Introduced: January 23, 2023

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, The most important and popular of festivals, the date of the Chinese New

Year celebration, which is also known as the Lunar New Year, is fixed traditionally according to

the lunar calendar as the second new moon after the winter solstice. This year the celebration falls

on January 22, 2023; 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 New Year's Eve, men pay ceremonial visits to

friends and associates, wishing them luck with the traditional greeting kung-hsi fa-ts'ai, meaning

"Happy greetings and may you gather wealth." 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 Rabbit"; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby recognizes the

celebration of the 2023 Chinese New Year--"The Year of the Rabbit." This Senate 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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