QUEENS, NY – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens), First Vice Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, today issued the statement below following the passage of the Lunar New Year and Diwali holiday bills in the New York State Legislature.
“I applaud the State Legislature for passing the Lunar New Year and Diwali holiday bills, and I am proud of the work that I have done to push these efforts along in my home state. I led the Lunar New Year bill in 2009 when I served in the State Assembly, helping to make Lunar New Year a school holiday in New York City, and for years, I have urged that schools also be closed for Diwali. I have continued that fight in Congress where I’ve authored legislation to create federal holidays for Lunar New Year and Diwali so their importance will be recognized across our country.
The New York State Legislature’s approval of these two measures is a wonderful reminder and celebration of the great diversity that exists in our state, and underscores how this diversity should be reflected in the holidays observed by our residents.
As we commemorate this moment, I will continue shepherding my bills through Congress that seek to ensure our federal holidays are days that are important to our communities of color.
I am excited over the momentum and support that we continue to see for these two celebrations.”
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