2023 -- S 0042
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LC000259
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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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
RABBIT"
Introduced By: Senators Cano, Gu, and Ujifusa
Date Introduced: January 23, 2023
Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar
WHEREAS, The most important and popular of festivals, the date of the Chinese New 1
Year celebration, which is also known as the Lunar New Year, is fixed traditionally according to 2
the lunar calendar as the second new moon after the winter solstice. This year the celebration falls 3
on January 22, 2023; and 4
WHEREAS, No one is certain how far back the New Year celebrations go in history. 5
Their religious background involves clearing away the bad luck of the old year and beginning 6
anew. It was also believed that the various god-like spirits had to report on the past year to the 7
ruler of heaven, the Jade Emperor. Many still open the celebrations by burning a paper image of 8
Tsao Wang, the hearth god, thus sending him on his way one week before the New Year; and 9
WHEREAS, Usually on the day before New Year's Eve, men pay ceremonial visits to 10
friends and associates, wishing them luck with the traditional greeting kung-hsi fa-ts'ai, meaning 11
"Happy greetings and may you gather wealth." On the last day of the year, final preparations are 12
made for the family's New Year's Eve feast, the highlight of the celebration. Before the meal, all 13
doors are sealed with strips of paper to prevent the entrance of evil, and no one may enter or leave 14
until these are removed shortly before dawn. After the meal, gifts are exchanged and, at midnight, 15
solemn greetings and family ceremonies take place; and 16
WHEREAS, Traditionally, the festivities last 16 days until the Lantern Festival, a time 17
for parades of elaborate paper lanterns and street dances by dragons or lions. New Year is also a 18
time for giving alms to the poor and for eating special lucky foods; and 19
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WHEREAS, Each lunar year is popularly known by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese 1
Zodiac. These names provide a ready reference because each is used only once in 12 years. This 2
year will be celebrated as "The Year of the Rabbit"; now, therefore be it 3
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby recognizes the 4
celebration of the 2023 Chinese New Year--"The Year of the Rabbit." This Senate also wishes to 5
extend its deepest respect and appreciation to the Rhode Island Asian community for all that it 6
has contributed to the rich diversity of Rhode Island culture. The closeness of the traditional 7
Asian family, its dynamic work ethic, and its innumerable endowments to literature and the 8
performing arts inspire us all; and be it further 9
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 10
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Association of Chinese 11
Americans. 12
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