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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