Sacramento, CA - The Members of the Joint Asian & Pacific Islander (API) Legislative Caucus have released the following statements in recognition of the Lunar New Year beginning on February 8, 2016. On behalf of the Joint API Legislative Caucus, Senator Richard Pan (D - Sacramento) and Assemblymember Evan Low (D - Campbell) have introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 95 and Assembly Concurrent Resolution 113, respectively, to recognize the holiday. Lunar New Year is predominantly celebrated by Chinese, Korean, and Southeast Asian constituencies of which over 2.3 million reside in California. February 8, 2016 marks the New Year under the Lunar Calendar, and it is the first day of the Year of the Fire Monkey. A legislative reception will be held at the historic Frank Fats Restaurant on Monday, February 8, 2016, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to celebrate the New Year with the greater community.
Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Carpenteria), Joint API Legislative Caucus Co-Chair:
“I would like to extend my best wishes for a healthy, prosperous, and successful New Year. California is home to nearly 6 million Asian & Pacific Islander Americans (APIA), and this community is one of the fastest growing immigrant populations in the nation. Lunar New Year is a very important time for the APIA community, and the celebration around California truly illustrates the state's rich cultural diversity. On behalf of myself, the Joint API Legislative Caucus, and my family, I wish everyone a Happy New Year!”
Senator Janet Nguyen (R-Santa Ana), Joint API Legislative Caucus Co-Chair:
“As Asian Americans throughout California gather to celebrate the Lunar New Year in their respective communities, I wish you and your families a happy, healthy and fulfilling Year of the Monkey. In my capacity as Co-Chair of the Joint API Legislative Caucus and as a Vietnamese-American, I am proud to represent you and I look forward to a 2016 filled with many accomplishments and successes.”
Senator Richard Pan:
"Happy and prosperous Lunar New Year to you and your family! I am thrilled to celebrate this important holiday with you and our larger API community. Through our traditions we are able to better appreciate and learn about the incredible diversity within our state. In the Year of the Monkey, I wish you and your family good health, good luck and much happiness."
Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), Parliamentarian of the API Legislative Caucus:
“I’m honored to join the API Caucus in commemorating Lunar New Year 2016 as the Year of the Monkey, a year that calls on each of us to be creative and inventive. Let’s use our creative vision to imagine the world we want to live in and the future we want for our children. Then let's use our inventiveness to make that vision a reality. Happy Lunar New Year!”
Assemblymember Ling Ling Chang (R-Diamond Bar)
"As Californians of Asian heritage celebrate the Year of the Monkey, I wish all a prosperous and healthy Lunar New Year. May this important commemoration remind us all of the blessings of family and longevity as well as an opportunity to reflect on the future.”
Assemblymember Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park):
"The Lunar New Year is a holiday rooted in tradition dating back thousands of years that is celebrated worldwide. So, I am very happy to join my colleagues in observing this important day and invite all diverse communities throughout California to join us exploring the culture, tradition, and festivities of our Asian American heritage. Here’s to a year of good health, success, and lasting prosperity.”
Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco), whose district includes some of the oldest and most historic Asian communities in the state:
“Lunar New Year is a time to bring our community together and reflect on our shared values and experiences. I wish all Californians a blessed Year of the Monkey filled with good fortune, prosperity and health.”
Assemblymember Kansen Chu (D-San Jose):
“Happy Lunar New Year! Peace and harmony on earth. Gong Shi Fa Choy!”
Assemblymember Young Kim (R-Fullerton):
“I’m honored to represent a diverse district rich in culture and tradition. I wish my constituents, and everyone in California, a happy and prosperous Year of the Monkey.”
Assemblymember Evan Low:
Today, we celebrate the first day of the Lunar New Year. The Lunar New Year is considered the most important holiday for the Chinese community and is also celebrated by many Asian & Pacific Islander families throughout the state. As we begin this New Year, I wish everyone a healthy and prosperous lunar new year, in this year of the Fire Monkey. Gong Hay Fat Choy!
Assemblymember Phil Ting (D – San Francisco), Vice-Chair of the API Legislative Caucus:
"Our State Capitol celebration of Lunar New Year is an opportunity to reflect on how our work as lawmakers helps build a better future of peace, prosperity, and health for all Californians. We made a choice last year to extend health care to all children regardless of their immigration status. This change will help ensure that the spirit of Lunar New Year extends to immigrant families who deserve the chance to contribute to the greatness of our state by making their hopes a reality.”