[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 25, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E73-E74]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CELEBRATING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 25, 2012

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize and celebrate 
the beginning of the Chinese New Year. On January 23, 2012, we marked 
year 4710 of the lunisolar Chinese calendar. In my Congressional 
District, in the windy city of Chicago, there are well over 68,000 
Chicagoans with Chinese heritage. We are very proud that Chicago boasts 
one of the largest populations of Chinese Americans, with the second 
largest Chinatown in the nation. Many of these Chicagoans reside or 
work in the historical neighborhood of Chinatown just south of the loop 
area. Chicago was one of the first cities that Chinese immigrants 
called home, with the first immigrants arriving during the 1870s. Since 
then, the Chinese community in Chicago has flourished and greatly 
enriched the culture and heritage of our city.
  This New Year is the Year of the Dragon, the most powerful of all the 
animals--an animal whose power and strength are admired. The Chinese 
New Year is a chance for a new beginning and a chance for all of us to 
reflect on our blessings, such as family, friends, opportunities and 
cherished moments. The New Year also provides an opportunity for us to 
settle our disputes with loved ones and to help people less fortunate 
than we are. I am blessed with having many close friends within the 
Chinese-American community. I have shared many important moments with 
these friends, both in Chinatown and at my house on the West Side. 
Through these relationships, I have developed a profound appreciation 
for Chinese culture, including the Chinese New Year celebration.
  I recognize the new beginning brought by the spring festival, and I 
wish the Chinese community in Chicago and in the United States a 
memorable and prosperous New Year. I look forward to celebrating the 
Year of the Dragon on January 29 with the annual Chinese New Year 
parade. Aside from this incredible celebration, there are multiple 
opportunities throughout the year to experience the history and culture 
of the Chinese-American community, be it the dragon boat races, the 
concerts in Ping Tom Park, or the tours of our historic China Town. I 
wish all a Gong Hei Fat Choy.

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