Testimony on HB 2209, to recognize the Lunar New Year Holiday

The following is testimony on January 16 from OCA Greater Seattle boardmember Amy Chen-Lozano regarding HB 2209, a bill in the Washington State Legislature Government & Tribal Relations Meeting:

My name is Amy Chen-Lozano. I am a board member of the OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates of Greater Seattle.  On behalf of our organization we support HB 2209.

This bill follows on the heels of California, New York, New Jersey, Colorado and other states that have already recognized or observed the importance of the Lunar New Year holiday to its residents.  In the state of Washington, Asian Americans make up 11 percent of the total population.  While not all Asian Americans celebrate the Lunar New Year, we know that many Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Mien, Taiwanese, Malaysian and others consider it to be the most important holiday. 

Lunar New Year celebrates leaving behind the troubles of the past year and inviting prosperity and good luck into the new year. Recognizing this day acknowledges the diversity and cultural significance that Asian Americans bring to Washington state, and provides an opportunity for all Washingtonians to participate in the significance of Lunar New Year. We should recognize the richness of diversity and backgrounds represented in our state and understand the importance of wanting to see one’s own experience reflected in what we hope will eventually become a state holiday.