Assemblyman William Colton (D – Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) introduced Bill #9541 in the 2021-22 assembly session to create Asian Lunar Year as a new public holiday in New York State.

“Asian Americans have played a vital role in shaping our nation while continuously facing discrimination and violence. This holiday is one of the most important traditional holidays amongst the Asian community and is widely celebrated in the U.S.,” Colton stated.

 “Together with the Community Leaders and a newly elected Assemblymember Grace Lee of the 65 AD, I will be holding a press conference to promote my Bill #1275 which I reintroduced in the 2023-24 session. I believe that creating a public holiday such as Lunar New Year will promote and increase awareness of Asian history and tradition not just in our community but nationwide,” Colton added.