A number of Queens lawmakers were on hand as Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation declaring Lunar New Year a public school holiday across New York state.
Photo courtesy of the governor’s office
Congresswoman Grace Meng led a delegation of Queens elected officials on Sept. 9 to witness Governor Kathy Hochul sign legislation declaring Lunar New Year a public school holiday across New York state at her Manhattan offices.
“By designating Lunar New Year as an official school holiday, we are taking an important step in recognizing the importance of New York’s AAPI community and the rich diversity that makes New York so great,” Hochul said. “It is not just a day off from school – it is an opportunity for our children to learn about and celebrate their own or different cultures and traditions.”
For Meng it was the culmination of more than a decade-and-a-half of advocacy on behalf of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.
“It was an honor to join Governor Hochul as she signed this historic bill and I applaud her for making it the law of the land in our state. When I was in the State Assembly in 2009, I led the bill to establish a New York City school holiday for Lunar New Year, and I remember how people laughed at it,” Meng said. “There were so many naysayers who told me that it would never happen. Now, look at how far we have come. I am proud of the work I have done to help get us to this point and I thank all who played a role as well. And in Congress, I am continuing the fight by pushing legislation I authored that would make Lunar New Year a federal holiday.”
The legislation amends the education law to declare Asian Lunar New Year a public school holiday statewide. The legislation requires that all public schools close for the Lunar New Year holiday.
“The Lunar New Year is the most significant time of the year for Asian Americans, and as the fastest growing community in the country, we need to make sure our heritage,…
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