ALBANY, NY — On Tuesday, New York Assembly Asian Pacific American (APA) Task Force Chair Assemblymember Grace Lee, hosted a Lunar New Year celebration marking the first year of all New York state public schools having a holiday for the New Year. In 2023, Assemblymember Lee led historic legislation making New York the first state in the country to establish a statewide public-school holiday for Lunar New Year, a landmark achievement for the Asian American community. In attendance at the celebration were: Speaker Carl E. Heastie, Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado, Senator John C. Liu, and Assemblymembers Ron Kim, Steven Raga, William Colton, Harvey Epstein, Marcela Mitaynes, Gabriella Romero, Nily Rozic, Robert Carroll, and Tony Simone along with over a hundred guests. The Chinese Community Center of Albany provided traditional drum and dance performances and the following community leaders were honored:

• Chinese Community Center of Albany, honored by Assemblymember Romero
• The American Association of Cantonese, honored by Assemblymember Colton
• Ian Chan, NYS Assembly Speaker’s office - Deputy Secretary for Intergovernmental & External Affairs, honored by Assemblymember Lee
• Mae Lee, Executive Director of the Chinese Progressive Association, honored by Assemblymember Lee and Assemblymember Epstein
• Dewi Mulay, Community Leader and Advocate for Indonesian Americans, honored by Assemblymember Raga
• Alexander Wang, Director of the New York State Democratic Committee, honored by Assemblymember Lee

“This year marks a historic milestone as Asian students across New York were able to celebrate the Lunar New Year without having to choose between going to school and spending time with their families,” said Assemblymember Grace Lee, Chair of the APA Task Force. I am proud to have led this legislation and to host these celebrations in Albany recognizing the contributions of Asian Americans to New York State. I am honored to highlight the exceptional leadership of my constituent, Alexander Wang, Director of the New York State Democratic Committee.”

Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar said, “I was proud to drive forward the historic moment when we made Diwali and Lunar Year school holidays at the same time, standing united as one pan-Asian community. I worked with Assemblymember Lee to pass the Lunar New Year school holiday bill, making our Albany festivities all the more joyous as we ring in the Year of the Snake. Now and forever, families across the State will be able to celebrate the day without their children missing school. Together, we are showing all that is possible when the emerging AAPI community has true representation and a seat at the table. Our work says to all Asian Americans that our government recognizes them and will respond to their needs.

"It is a great honor to join the Asian Pacific American Task Force to celebrate the new year on the Lunisolar calendar,” said Assemblymember Steven Raga. “Lunar New Year is an especially important holiday for many of my constituents and for New Yorkers all across the state. I'd like to congratulate today's honorees and thank them for their work that they are contributing across NYS.”

“I appreciate the work of the Asian Pacific American Task Force and all my fellow legislators for the support of the Lunar New Year Celebration in Albany,” said Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon of District 119. “This year is the Year of the Snake and celebrations will be held across the state as it is a perfect time to reflect on what the upcoming year holds for all of us.”

I am pleased to send my warmest wishes to everyone celebrating Lunar New Year," said Assembly Member Rebecca A. Seawright of the Upper East Side, Yorkville and Roosevelt Island. "An especially auspicious year as New York became the first in the U.S. to recognize Lunar New Year as a statewide holiday, thanks to the efforts of my colleagues Assemblymember Lee, Assemblymember Kim, Assemblymember Colton and Senator Kavanaugh. This Year of the Snake represents resilience, wisdom and growth. My hope is that the coming year brings AAPI New Yorkers--who enrich their communities culturally, socially and economically--all of these blessings and more!”

Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes said, “This year is the first year the Lunar New Year is recognized as a statewide school holiday, allowing families to enjoy the holiday without worrying about their children missing school. This makes our celebration here in our state’s capitol all the better. I was proud to join the APA Task Force to honor community leaders who work tirelessly to advocate for our APPI communities. I wish everyone who celebrates a prosperous and healthy year of the snake.”