Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cultural Recognition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Texas House marks Lunar New Year with tributes from members and guests
Summary
Representative Wu led the Texas House in adopting HR 52 to commemorate the Lunar New Year; several members offered remarks celebrating cultural traditions and the contributions of Asian American communities in Texas.
The Texas House on Wednesday adopted HR 52 commemorating the Lunar New Year and several members used the recognition to offer greetings and cultural remarks to guests in the gallery.
Representative Wu moved to suspend the rules and take up HR 52, a resolution commemorating the Lunar New Year on Jan. 29, 2025; the motion carried with no objection and the resolution was adopted. During remarks accompanying the measure, Representative Wu said the celebration is inclusive of multiple cultures and called it “one of my favorite resolutions.”
Representative Wu (Representative Wu) explained that members may hear the holiday referred to as Vietnamese New Year, Chinese New Year or Korean New Year, but that the chamber uses the term “Lunar New Year” to be inclusive. “Because this is a calendar based on the lunar cycle, many cultures, their exact Lunar New Year's does not meet on the same day,” Representative Wu said, and encouraged colleagues to wish constituents a “very happy Lunar New Year.”
Several members addressed the chamber and visitors with personal greetings. Representative Buttons said in part: “First, let me say this in Chinese... The three things you need to do during the Lunar New Year: first, dress the best outfit you ever have to celebrate; second, eat plenty of good food; third, don't work too hard on the Lunar New Year day.” Representative Voh wished attendees “an abundance of wealth and prosperity” and described the Year of the Snake as symbolizing “adaptability, renewal and wisdom.” Representative Chen (first name not specified in the record) noted the holiday’s meaning in multiple Chinese dialects and added a Cantonese greeting wishing “many blessings and great prosperity.”
Representative Bojani and others also offered brief remarks recognizing the cultural diversity the resolution acknowledges and thanking Representative Wu for sponsoring the measure. The House recorded adoption of HR 52 without objection and the recognition was entered into the House journal.
The HR 52 recognition is ceremonial and does not change policy; it serves as a formal acknowledgement of cultural observances and the presence of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander guests and constituents in the Capitol.
