2023 -- H 5152

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LC000770

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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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

RABBIT"

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Kennedy, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Fenton-Fung,
Chippendale, Handy, Edwards, Azzinaro, Carson, and Cortvriend

     Date Introduced: January 19, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

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Year celebration is fixed traditionally according to the lunar calendar as the second new moon

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after the winter solstice; and

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     WHEREAS, Lunar New Year is celebrated by more than 20 percent of the world. This

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year the celebration falls on January 22, 2023; and

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     WHEREAS, No one is certain how far back the New Year celebrations go in history.

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Their religious background involves clearing away the bad luck of the old year and beginning

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anew. It was also believed that the various god-like spirits had to report on the past year to the

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ruler of heaven, the Jade Emperor. Many still open the celebrations by burning a paper image of

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Tsao Wang, the hearth god, thus sending him on his way one week before the new year; and

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     WHEREAS, Usually on the day before the Lunar New Year's Eve, men pay ceremonial

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visits to friends and associates, wishing them luck. On the last day of the year, final preparations

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are made for the family's New Year's Eve feast, the highlight of the celebration. Before the meal,

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all doors are sealed with strips of paper to prevent the entrance of evil, and no one may enter or

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leave 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 16 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 lunar year is popularly known by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese

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Zodiac. These names provide a ready reference because each is used only once in 12 years. This

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year will be celebrated as "The Year of the Rabbit"; now, therefore, be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

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recognizes the celebration of the Lunar New Year--"The Year of the Rabbit." This House also

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wishes to extend its deepest respect and appreciation to the Rhode Island Asian community for all

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that it has contributed to the rich diversity of Rhode Island culture. The closeness of the

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traditional Asian family, its dynamic work ethic, and its innumerable endowments to literature

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and the performing arts inspire us all; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Association of Chinese

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Americans.

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LC000770

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