[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5013]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 28, 2007

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the start 
of the Chinese New Year. Approximately 40,000 Chicagoans enjoy a 
Chinese heritage, and I wish to celebrate with them the turning of year 
4705, the year of the Fire Boar.
  The year of the Fire Boar starts Sunday, February 18. The New Year 
brings a time for cleansing the home to sweep away misfortune and 
welcoming in the New Year with hopes of prosperity and good luck. I 
look forward to the Chinese New Year because it reflects the end of 
winter and marks the beginning of spring. Indeed, the Spring Festival, 
as it also is known, is a time to give thanks for one's blessings, 
celebrate family, resolve arguments, and prepare the community to 
embark on a new year with hope and charity. We should all take 
advantage of the opportunity to explore and share in this treasured 
tradition with family and friends. Embracing this tradition honors the 
richness of our diversity as Americans. Also, it stands to reason, that 
as we benefit from the year of the Fire Pig, we should all make a 
pledge to donate some good fortune to others less fortunate than 
ourselves.
  This year will be the 24th annual Chinese Lunar New Year celebration 
in Chicago's Chinatown, which I am proud to say, resides in my 
Congressional District. I am honored to participate in Chinese New Year 
celebrations, and I wish all a Gong Hay Fat Choy.

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