CAPAC and Congressional Leaders Celebrate Lunar New Year

Washington, D.C. – The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and Democratic Leadership released the following video to welcome the Year of the Horse.

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair: 
“On behalf of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, happy Lunar New Year! For me, this holiday evokes fond memories of wrapping rice dumplings with my family and receiving lucky red envelopes from relatives. These traditions add to the wonderful diversity that strengthens our nation. As you celebrate with your family, I wish you and your loved ones happiness and good health in the Year of the Horse. Gung Hay Fat Choy!”

Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo (GU), CAPAC Vice Chair:
“I join our Asian American and Pacific Islander community in Guam and throughout our country in celebrating the Lunar New Year and welcoming the Year of the Horse. On this occasion, we celebrate and honor the contributions that AAPIs have made in our communities. We also remember the mutual exchange of culture and tradition we have shared these past years, in times of triumph and adversity. I look forward to a new year of health and success for our entire community.”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA-12):
“The Lunar New Year marks a time of renewal, remembrance and celebration, as millions of Asian Americans reflect on the year that was and look forward to a Year of the Horse filled with prosperity, opportunity and hope. In the streets of San Francisco and across the country, the vibrancy and strength of our AAPI community is on glorious display—reminding us that, as ever, the beauty is in the mix.”

Congressman Xavier Becerra (CA-34), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus:
“I am pleased to send my warmest wishes to the Asian and Pacific Islander communities in Los Angeles and people all around the world celebrating the Lunar New Year.  It is a time to rejoice with the vibrant cultural traditions passed on through the generations. We remember that these traditions have enriched America and will continue to bring our diverse nation together. As we welcome the Year of the Horse, I look forward to another great year serving the 34th Congressional District and I wish all those celebrating the Lunar New Year, peace, health and prosperity.”

Congressman Mike Honda (CA-17), CAPAC Chair Emeritus:
“I am delighted to wish everyone a Happy Lunar New Year! The Lunar New Year is an important celebration for Asian Americans at home and in Asia. To mark the holiday, people visit friends and family while enjoying parades, festivals, and special meals. Shopkeepers light crackling red firecrackers, people make offerings of fruit and rice cakes, and there is a tradition of doling out red envelopes filled with fresh minted bills to herald good fortune. I wish everyone a year of prosperity, good health, good luck and good fortune! Happy Year of the Horse!”

Senator Brian Schatz (HI):
“The Lunar New Year is a special time to celebrate the many contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. In Hawai‘i, we see the vibrant culture, strong values, and traditions rooted in our unique way of life.  As families in Hawai‘i and across America gather together to celebrate the Year of the Horse by reflecting on the past, it is also a time to look toward the future with a renewed sense of hope.  I offer my warm wishes to all for a happy and prosperous new year.  Happy New Year and Aloha!”

Congressman Ami Bera (CA-07):
“I wish all those who celebrate across America and around the world, a Happy Lunar New Year! The Year of the Horse is a time for good luck and a time to conquer our goals. May the coming year be happy, healthy and prosperous for all.”

Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL-08):
“The Lunar New Year is a special and important time for us to celebrate the vibrant heritage of the Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Mongolian, Tibetan, and Vietnamese Americans that enrich our communities. All around the world and at home, we will ring in the Year of the Horse and its promises of good fortune, happiness, and leadership. As the daughter of a Thai Chinese immigrant, I am proud to celebrate the Year of the Horse, and wish progress and prosperity to all in the New Year.”

Congressman Al Green (TX-09):
“Xin Nian Kuai Le—Happy Lunar New Year! I wish you and yours a healthy and wealthy new year as we transition from the year of the Snake, the shedding of all the bad things, to the year of the Horse. Gong Xi Fa Cai!”

Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01):
“In a nation that is increasingly defined by diversity, I am pleased to join in observing the Lunar New Year and celebrating the vibrant customs and traditions of America’s Asian and Pacific Islander community. By tradition, the Year of the Horse is a time for looking forward, and I am anticipating continued progress by our AAPI community toward growing prosperity and a greater voice in American policy. From cuisine to commerce, from big business to mom and pop shops, the contributions of the Asian and Pacific Islander community have demonstrated the power of hard work and civic involvement, and strengthened the fabric of our society. From a proud Asian American, Kung Hee Fat Choy. Happy New Year.”

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13):
“Best wishes to everyone, in the East Bay, California and around the world, celebrating the beginning of the Year of the Horse. In the coming year, as Congress considers many serious issues – including reforming our broken immigration system, creating economic opportunity for working families, and improving our public education – we would do well to emulate the virtues of the Horse: leadership, perseverance, and hard work.  I’m wishing everyone a happy new year filled with good health, prosperity, good fortune, and peace.”

Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06):
“It is a great pleasure to extend Lunar New Year greetings to all who observe the holiday. Lunar New Year is the most important time of year for the Asian-American community, and I’m proud to join the more than 8.7 million Asian-Americans who are ushering in the year of the horse here in New York and across the United States.

“With the holiday upon us, I urge my colleagues in Congress to pass the resolution I introduced this month that aims to create a school holiday for Lunar New Year. The time has come for schools that serve significant Asian-American populations to finally acknowledge this important holiday, and I’m glad that the momentum continues to build for it. I wish everybody peace, prosperity, good health and happiness in the year ahead.”

Congressman Alan Lowenthal (CA-47):
“I am proud to welcome the Year of the Horse and convey my warmest wishes to all those who will be celebrating the Lunar New Year. From the Orange County Vietnamese American community in Little Saigon to Cambodia Town in Long Beach and the Korean Business District in Garden Grove, I join thousands of constituents across California’s 47^th Congressional district in celebrating the New Year with festivals, parades, and family gatherings. During this time of festivity, let us honor and celebrate our families and communities as we look forward to a new year, filled with good health and good fortune.  I hope the New Year serves a reminder of the important work that we must carry on in Congress on issues important to the Asian American community from human rights to immigration reform to expanding access to healthcare.”

Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52):
“I want to wish my district a prosperous Lunar New Year filled with happiness, good health, and good fortune. Here in San Diego, the Asian Pacific American community has made significant contributions to our nation’s diverse cultural heritage and enriches our region’s history. As a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I am proud to help represent this growing community in Washington, D.C., and look forward to our future work together. Happy Year of the Horse! Chúc Mừng Năm Má»›i, 恭喜发财, 새해 ë³µ 많이 받으세요.”

Congressman Charles B. Rangel, (NY-13):
“I'm proud to congratulate the myriad accomplishments of Asian Pacific Americans, who tirelessly contribute to the greatness of our Nation and show that the American Dream is alive. As someone who was born in the Year of the Horse, I'm happy to share the luck of prosperity and wealth to all my friends celebrating the Lunar New Year.”

Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA-14):
"Excitement is building in the San Francisco Bay Area and around the world as the Lunar Year approaches. Billions of people are preparing to celebrate the Year of the Horse – a symbol of nobility, class, and perhaps the most fitting symbol for the year – perseverance! More importantly, the Lunar New Year is a significant reminder of the richness of Asian culture and the importance of diversity in our community and its meaningful contributions to our society. Many homes in my district are now adorned with flowers and paper decorations with aspirations of prosperity, good fortune, and longevity for the coming year. Gung Hay Fat Choy!”

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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and Members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.