[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 12, 2002

  Ms. PELOSI. 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 as 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.

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