1.0" ?> 20250SR__007299INT 99 INTRODUCED 2026-01-22 2025 0 SR 72 INT Introduced by Senators Wahab, Cabaldon, and Choi LEAD_AUTHOR SENATE Wahab LEAD_AUTHOR SENATE Cabaldon LEAD_AUTHOR SENATE Choi Relative to the Lunar New Year. the Lunar New Year

WHEREAS, February 17, 2026, will mark the beginning of the Lunar New Year, which is celebrated in many Asian communities around the world, including in the United States and especially in California; and

WHEREAS, The Lunar New Year is celebrated on the second new moon following the winter solstice, or the third new moon following the winter solstice should an intercalary month intervene; and

WHEREAS, California is home to over 7.3 million Asian and Pacific Islander Americans of Afghan, Bangladeshi, Burmese, Cambodian, Chamorro, Chinese, Filipino, Fijian, Hmong, Indian, Indonesian, Iu-Mien, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Malaysian, Mongolian, Native Hawaiian, Nepalese, Pakistani, Samoan, Sri Lankan, Taiwanese, Thai, Tongan, and Vietnamese descent, among others; and

WHEREAS, The Asian American and Pacific Islander communities have greatly contributed to the social, cultural, civic, economic, and academic success of California; and

WHEREAS, The Lunar New Year is predominantly celebrated by over 3 million Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino, Taiwanese, and Iu-Mien residents of California; and

WHEREAS, The Lunar New Year is universally celebrated by these communities as a time to renew family ties and to start the new year with a clean slate; and

WHEREAS, The Lunar Calendar rotates through 12-year cycles, with each year representing an animal from The Great Race, and through 60-year cycles—with each animal associated with one of the five elements: metal, wood, fire, water, or earth—to create harmony and balance; and

WHEREAS, The 2026 Lunar Year is the Year of the Fire Horse, symbolizing vitality, momentum, and courage; and

WHEREAS, The celebration of the Lunar New Year in communities throughout California illustrates the state’s rich cultural history and commitment to racial, religious, and cultural diversity; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, by the Senate of the State of California That the Senate joins Asian and Pacific Islander communities throughout the state, nation, and world in celebrating February 17, 2026, as the beginning of the Lunar New Year and extends best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous Lunar New Year to all Californians; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.