Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the celebration of the Lunar (or Chinese) New Year – the most important of all Chinese festivals. Part of the Asian philosophy includes the belief that at the turning of the new year, you clean your home, sweep away misfortune and welcome in the new year with hopes for prosperity and good luck. We should all take advantage of this opportunity to explore this tradition and embrace the richness of our diversity.
It is the year 4699 by the Chinese calendar, the Year of the Horse. The Lunar New Year is celebrated on the New Moon of the 1st day of the year and ends on the Full Moon 15 days later. It is popularly recognized as the Spring Festival, and is celebrated just before planting begins in the spring, with hopes for a good harvest in the coming year. Family is a major focus of the celebration, especially on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s day. A ritual paying homage to ancestors is performed in order to unite living family members with those who have departed. Much respect is paid to these ancestors who were responsible for laying the foundations for the fortune and glory of their families. The festivities conclude with the Lantern Festival, on the last night of the celebration, consisting of a parade of people carrying lanterns, and of young men performing a dragon dance.
In San Francisco, the Chinese-American community is a vital, historic and vibrant component of our world-renowned diversity. Chinese-Americans have played a significant role in all aspects of American life including our arts, education, sports, medicine, religion, and politics. Recognition of these gifts and of the cultural diversity in America today was recently symbolized when once again the United States Postal Service issued its annual commemorative stamp honoring the wonderful tradition of the Chinese New Year. I am honored to participate in Chinese New Year celebrations, and I wish all a Gong Hay Fat Choy.