Maryland State Senate Pass Resolution Recognizing Lunar New Year

In Maryland, the Lunar New Year isn’t just for Asian Americans anymore. Lawmakers across Maryland now recognize and celebrate its cultural importance.

On the day before Lunar New Year's Eve, the Maryland State Senate unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the Lunar New Year. The state Senate also acknowledges the contributions of some Asian American and Pacific Islander community leaders to Maryland's Asian-American community.

During the resolution, Maryland State Sen. Clarence Lam(D) said that the Lunar New Year is important for Asian American communities because it's a visible opportunity to share an important cultural event with all Marylanders.

"We hope that you will take a moment to join them in celebrating this important occasion marking the Lunar New Year, whether it's here in the Senate or back in your districts,” Lam said.

Representatives from a variety of local AAPI organizations attend the resolution.

Among them is Chung Pak, Maryland’s Chief Administrative Law Judge. He is the first person of color appointed to this position in Maryland’s history.

“Once they recognize that we contribute, there is less likely about hate crimes and discrimination because they know we are not foreigners. We are Asian Americans who play significant roles in the state of Maryland and in the United States," said Pak.

There are around 450,000 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders residing in Maryland. This accounts for more than 7% of the state’s population. Maryland’s AAPI population is incredibly diverse, spanning more than 20 nations in Asia and the Pacific. Celebrating the Lunar New Year is a widely shared cultural tradition among many AAPI communities.

"It’s recognized by the senate of Maryland, which means the Asian American and the Chinese American, we play important roles in our community, and in our society. And we feel that we are the minority, but we we are being recognized. It’s important for our second generation too,” said Ping Lv, a retired doctor and also a AAPI community leader.

State Sen. Lam introduced the resolution to the Maryland State Senate. He is currently the only AAPI member in Maryland State Senate and is poised to run for Congress.

He said that he wanted to be able to make sure that we continue to elevate the Asian American community "because this is really important for them to make sure they have proper representation and to know that they have leaders that stand with them here in Annapolis.”