2020 -- H 7286 | |
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LC003710 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020 | |
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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 | |
RAT" | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Kennedy, Mattiello, Shekarchi, Edwards, and Abney | |
Date Introduced: January 23, 2020 | |
Referred To: House read and passed | |
(`) | |
1 | WHEREAS, The most important and popular of festivals, the date of the Lunar New |
2 | Year celebration is fixed traditionally according to the lunar calendar as the second new moon |
3 | after the winter solstice; and |
4 | WHEREAS, Lunar New Year is celebrated by more than 20 percent of the world. This |
5 | year the celebration falls on January 25, 2020; and |
6 | WHEREAS, No one is certain how far back the New Year celebrations go in history. |
7 | Their religious background involves clearing away the bad luck of the old year and beginning |
8 | anew. It was also believed that the various god-like spirits had to report on the past year to the |
9 | ruler of heaven, the Jade Emperor. Many still open the celebrations by burning a paper image of |
10 | Tsao Wang, the hearth god, thus sending him on his way one week before the new year; and |
11 | WHEREAS, Usually on the day before New Year's Eve, men pay ceremonial visits to |
12 | friends and associates, wishing them luck. On the last day of the year, final preparations are |
13 | made for the family's New Year's Eve feast, the highlight of the celebration. Before the meal, all |
14 | doors are sealed with strips of paper to prevent the entrance of evil, and no one may enter or leave |
15 | until these are removed shortly before dawn. After the meal, gifts are exchanged and, at midnight, |
16 | solemn greetings and family ceremonies take place; and |
17 | WHEREAS, Traditionally, the festivities last 15 days until the Lantern Festival, a time |
18 | for parades of elaborate paper lanterns and street dances by dragons or lions. New Year is also a |
19 | time for giving alms to the poor and for eating special lucky foods; and |
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1 | WHEREAS, Each lunar year is popularly known by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese |
2 | Zodiac. These names provide a ready reference because each is used only once in 12 years. This |
3 | year will be celebrated as "The Year of the Rat"; now, therefore, be it |
4 | RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and |
5 | Providence Plantations hereby recognizes the celebration of the Lunar New Year--"The Year of |
6 | the Rat." This House also wishes to extend its deepest respect and appreciation to the Rhode |
7 | Island Asian community for all that it has contributed to the rich diversity of Rhode Island |
8 | culture. The closeness of the traditional Asian family, its dynamic work ethic, and its innumerable |
9 | endowments to literature and the performing arts inspire us all; and be it further |
10 | RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
11 | transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Association of Chinese |
12 | Americans. |
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