Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

ENROLLED ORIGINAL

                                A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

                                               25-170

                    IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

                                          February 6, 2024

To recognize the Chinese community in the District of Columbia for its generous and valued

       contributions to the social, cultural, and political life of the city and to honor the Chinese

       Consolidated Benevolent Association for its sponsorship of the parade to celebrate the

       Year of the Dragon.

         WHEREAS, Chinese people have lived in the District of Columbia as a community since

at least 1884, when nearly 100 immigrants settled near 3rd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.,

and remained there until 1935, when the settlement moved to its current location along H Street,

N.W., which is commonly known as “Chinatown”;

       WHEREAS, today there are more than 40 Chinese businesses and hundreds of Chinese

residents in Chinatown, which serves as the center of health care, dining, and shopping for the

thousands of Chinese residents in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area;

        WHEREAS, Chinatown is a unique cultural and social center for the District, providing

visitors with a taste of Chinese culture;

        WHEREAS, the District of Columbia’s commitment to the Chinese community continues

as the government strives to improve services for the Chinese community through the

establishment of the Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs, the Metropolitan Police

Department’s Asian Liaison Unit, and the Chinatown Community Cultural Center, which we

salute;

        WHEREAS, thousands of District of Columbia residents will gather along I Street and

6th Street, N.W, on Sunday, February 11, 2024 to enjoy the dragon-led parade and celebrate the

Chinese Lunar New Year;

        WHEREAS, the annual anniversary celebration and parade for the Chinese Lunar New

Year, sponsored by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, is nationally known as

one of the finest celebrations of color, art, and pageantry; and

       WHEREAS, the dragon symbolizes power, nobleness, honor, luck, and success.

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                                                                        ENROLLED ORIGINAL

        RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this

resolution may be cited as the "Chinese Lunar New Year 4722, Year of the Dragon Recognition

Resolution of 2024”.

        Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia salutes the Chinese community of the

District of Columbia and the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association for their many

contributions to the social, economic, cultural, and political life of the city. Further, the Council

thanks the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association and the Parade Committee for

sponsoring the parade to celebrate the Chinese New Year, and declares Saturday, February 10,

2024, as “Chinese Lunar New Year 4722, Year of the Dragon Day” in the District of Columbia.

       Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.

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