24 LC 55 0203
House Bill 1222
By: Representatives Tran of the 80
th
, Au of the 50
th
, Park of the 107
th
, Hong of the 103
rd
, and
Byrd of the 20
th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
1
holidays and observances, so as to designate the appropriate date of each year as the "Lunar2
New Year" in Georgia; to provide legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to3
repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5
SECTION 1.6
The General Assembly finds that:7
(1) The Lunar New Year marks the beginning of a new lunar calendar year, which8
measures time based upon the cycles of the moon, and has been celebrated for thousands9
of years in many countries;10
(2) According to one legend, Buddha invited the animals of the world to visit him on the11
Lunar New Year, rewarding those who came by naming a year in their honor. Each12
animal, in turn, gave its characteristics to those born during its year;13
(3) The Lunar New Year is a festival of great importance in Asian American14
communities. It promotes both goodwill and self-reflection and is a joyous occasion15
welcomed annually with distinguishing festivities and much preparation;16
H. B. 1222
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(4) The celebration of the Lunar New Year is a tradition by which Asian Americans
17
proclaim the arrival of a new year and look forward to what the new year will bring;18
(5) Each year, many people of this state unite to celebrate the Lunar New Year, joining19
to commemorate Asian American joy, cultures, and diversity; and20
(6) It is, therefore, abundantly fitting and proper that the State of Georgia appropriately21
recognize and celebrate Asian American culture and tradition by designating the22
appropriate date of each year as the "Lunar New Year" in Georgia.23
SECTION 2.24
Chapter 4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to holidays and25
observances, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:26
"1-4-27.
27
The date of each year that corresponds with the second new moon following the winter28
solstice, or the third new moon following the winter solstice should an intercalary month29
intervene, is designated as the 'Lunar New Year' in Georgia."30
SECTION 3.31
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.32
H. B. 1222
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