Celebration of Lunar New Year

CELEBRATION OF LUNAR NEW YEAR -- (Extensions of Remarks - January 21, 2004)

SPEECH OF
HON. NANCY PELOSI
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2004

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to represent a vibrant and strong Asian American and Pacific Islander community that is a historic part of San Francisco's world-renowned diversity, and I rise today to recognize the celebration of the Lunar New Year, the most cherished Chinese festival.

The Lunar New Year marks the beginning of a new season and is a time of renewed hope. It is considered a time to sweep away misfortune and to welcome the New Year with hopes of good luck, prosperity, and excellent health.

The Lunar New Year celebration begins on the new moon of the first day of each year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. Family is a major focus of the Lunar New Year celebration, and participants pay great respect to their ancestors who laid the foundations for the well-being of their families. The Lantern Festival, which concludes the celebration with a parade of brilliant lanterns, the music of drums, and a dragon dance performed by youth, is especially beautiful.

By the Chinese calendar, this is the year 4,701, the Year of the Monkey. The Monkey represents the inventor and innovator and symbolizes growth and development. In many ways, the Monkey epitomizes the entrepreneurial spirit of my district in San Francisco and our ability to overcome great challenges.

The U.S. Postal Service recently issued its Year of the Monkey Stamp, the final in its spectacular Lunar New Year commemorative stamp series. It has been a great pleasure to celebrate the 12 years of the Chinese Zodiac with the stamps designed by artist Clarence Lee, and I am proud to display these beautiful images on the walls of my office. Thank you to the Organization of Chinese Americans, to the U.S. Postal Service, and to the leaders of San Francisco's Chinese American Community for your hard work to make this wonderful series a reality.

By percentage, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the country's fastest growing ethnic group, and the community is a dynamic part of our nation. The Lunar New Year is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the immeasurable contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islanders to all aspects of American life, including the arts, education, sports, medicine, religion, and politics. It is my pleasure to join with so many of my constituents and with Asian American and Pacific Islanders across the country to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

END