12-R222

2012 -- S 2902

Enacted 04/26/12

 

 

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING THE CELEBRATION OF THE CAMBODIAN NEW YEAR AND "THE

YEAR OF THE DRAGON"

     

     

     Introduced By: Senators Pichardo, Jabour, Pinga, Felag, and P Fogarty

     Date Introduced: April 26, 2012

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, One of the most important and popular of Cambodian holidays, ushering in

the New Year, occurs from April 13th through the 15tth  and marks the end of the harvesting

season; and

     WHEREAS, Each Cambodian year is popularly known by one of the 12 animals of the

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

year, 2012, will be celebrated as "The Year of the Dragon"; and

     WHEREAS, The holiday celebration is a three-day event that begins on New Year’s

Day.  Moha Sangkran is the first day of the event and symbolizes the ending of one year and

beginning anew.  Cambodians traditionally clean and decorate their homes and prepare food for

the New Year inauguration and to welcome the “New Angels at every single home”; and

     WHEREAS, Day two of the Cambodian New Year’s celebration is Wanabot.  It is a time

to offer gifts to one’s parents, grandparents, and elders, and to contribute to charity and help those

less fortunate; and

     WHEREAS, The third day of the New Year’s celebration is called Thhnay Leung Sakk,

which means the year “starts to be counted from this day.”  People generally go to temple in the

morning and end the day with the “Pithi Srang Preah” where they cleanse the Buddha statues and

their monks, elders, parents, and grandparents as an act of contrition to apologize for any

transgressions done to them; and

     WHEREAS, The Cambodian New Year’s holiday is rich with tradition and a perfectly

wonderful time for men and women, both young and old, to come together and celebrate; now,

therefore, be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby recognizes the celebration of the Cambodian New Year and "The Year of the Dragon";

and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate wishes to extend its deepest respect and appreciation to the

Rhode Island Cambodian community for all that it has contributed to the rich diversity of Rhode

Island culture; and be it further

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

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Samnang K. Becker, President of the

Cambodian Society of Rhode Island, Inc.

     

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LC02257

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