1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 91 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in 1-4 recognizing the Third Annual Chinese New Year Festival, the 1-5 largest Asian American new year celebration in Houston; and 1-6 WHEREAS, In Mainland China, Taiwan, and in various other 1-7 countries, the Chinese New Year is a most important holiday 1-8 season and is celebrated with a long period of festivities; each 1-9 new year arrives in accordance with the old Chinese lunar calendar 1-10 and is named for one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac; and 1-11 WHEREAS, The new year arrives anytime between January 21 and 1-12 February 19, depending on the new moon, and festivities begin on 1-13 or before the Chinese New Year's Day; the celebrations begin with 1-14 the appearance of the huge-headed silken lions, accompanied by 1-15 beating drums and firecrackers; dragons are prominent wherever 1-16 the New Year is celebrated; and 1-17 WHEREAS, There are millions of Chinese Americans in the 1-18 United States who celebrate this annual event and who use the 1-19 celebration as an effort to share traditional Chinese culture with 1-20 all members of the community and to preserve their rich heritage; and 1-21 WHEREAS, In Houston, the Chinese New Year celebration entails 1-22 nine days of public festivities; this year the opening ceremony 1-23 is held on Saturday, February 13, and Chinese New Year Festival, 1-24 Incorporated, expects 80,000 people to attend the festival; and 2-1 WHEREAS, The Houston Chinese New Year Festival will provide 2-2 a wide variety of activities and programs, including a Chinese 2-3 traditional dress show, Chinese Opera, arts and crafts, children's 2-4 games, lion and dragon dances, and appearances by Miss Chinatown 2-5 and Miss Chinese New Year; there will also be numerous food booths 2-6 and prizes; and 2-7 WHEREAS, Participation in the Chinese New Year celebrations 2-8 by the Chinese Americans and their friends, neighbors, colleagues, 2-9 and business owners helps to unite individuals from diversified 2-10 cultures and strengthen community spirit; now, therefore, be it 2-11 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-12 76th Legislature, hereby commend all those who participate 2-13 in the Third Annual Chinese New Year Festival in Houston and 2-14 extend best wishes for a highly successful event and 2-15 Year of the Rabbit; and, be it further 2-16 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-17 the organizers of the Houston Chinese New Year Festival as an 2-18 expression of regard from the Texas Senate. 2-19 Ellis 2-20 ______________________________________ 2-21 President of the Senate 2-22 I hereby certify that the above 2-23 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-24 on January 27, 1999. 2-25 ______________________________________ 2-26 Secretary of the Senate 2-27 ______________________________________ 2-28 Member, Texas Senate