| R 070 |
| 2020 -- S 2149 Enacted 01/28/2020 |
| S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N |
| RECOGNIZING THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR "THE YEAR OF THE RAT" |
| Introduced By: Senators Cano, Crowley, Nesselbush, Ruggerio, and Paolino |
| Date Introduced: January 28, 2020 |
| 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 25, 2020; 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 15 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 Rat"; now, therefore, be it |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations |
| hereby recognizes the celebration of the Chinese New Year--"The Year of the Rat." 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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| LC003972 |
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