Bill Text: NY K01059 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commemorating the Asian American community's celebration of Songkran on April 13-15, 2024

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 15-9)

Status: (Passed) 2024-04-02 - adopted [K01059 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-K01059-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 1059

BY: M. of A. Raga

        COMMEMORATING   the   Asian  American  community's
        celebration of Songkran on April 13-15, 2024

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body  to  honor,  with
pleasure  and  great pride, the Asian American community of the State of
New York upon the occasion of the celebration of Songkran; and

  WHEREAS, Songkran is Thailand's most  famous  festival;  this  water
festival marks the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year; and

  WHEREAS,  The  name  Songkran  comes  from  a  Sanskrit word meaning
'passing' or 'approaching'; Buddha images are bathed, and younger  Thais
show respect to monks and elders by sprinkling water over their hands as
it  is  believed  the water of Songkran will wash the bad luck and bring
good fortune for them and their families; and

  WHEREAS, Songkran Festival takes place in April every  year,  during
which  time  crowds  of  people  roam  around throwing buckets of water,
soaking anyone in  the  vicinity;  appreciation  of  family  is  another
important aspect of the festival, with many Thai people making their way
to their hometowns to spend time with older relatives; and

  WHEREAS, April 13th, the first day of the new year, is known as Song
Nam  Phra (Pouring Water on Monks) Day; traditionally, Thais perform the
Rod Nam Dum Hua ritual on  the  first  day  of  Songkran,  the  National
Elderly  Day;  during this ritual, young people pour fragrant water into
their elders' palms as a gesture  of  humility  and  to  ask  for  their
blessings; and

  WHEREAS,  April  14th, known as Wan Nao, celebrates the old Thai New
Year's Eve; this is also National Family Day when everyone is encouraged
to spend quality time with  their  families;  the  New  Year  officially
begins on April 15th, also known as Wan Payawan (Bathing Buddha) Day; on
this  day,  there  are parties and celebrations everywhere, with ongoing
water fights, concerts, street food, and family gathering; and

  WHEREAS, Songkran was  originally  Thailand's  New  Year's  Day  and
signified  the  start  of  the  Thai  calendar;  between  1888 and 1940,
Songkran and New Year's Day in Thailand was celebrated on April 1st, but
was later changed to April 13-15th, when January 1st became synchronized
across the world as New Year's Day; and

  WHEREAS, In addition to Thailand, Songkran is  celebrated  in  Laos,
Cambodia,  Burma,  the  Tai  ethnic  minority of Vietnam, and in China's
Yunnan province, as well as  in  Sri  Lanka  and  other  eastern  Indian
countries; and

  WHEREAS,  There are many traditional activities held during Songkran
Festival, including the famous  water  splashing,  cleaning  houses  and
Buddha  statues, merit-making in temples, as well as exciting street and
beach Songkran parties; and

  WHEREAS, Furthermore, during Songkran Festival  Thai  people  go  to
temples  and  offer  food  and  clothing to the monks; they also release
birds and fish back to their natural habitats; and

  WHEREAS,  Folk  performances  and  games are organized for enjoyment
during Songkran; there are Thai beauty pageant  competitions  displaying
traditional  Thai dress, as well as street parades; sand is also brought
to temple grounds and can be  used  to  build  sand  pagodas  or  repair
temples;  helping  monks  with  temple  maintenance  is regarded as good
practice during Songkran Festival; and

  WHEREAS, The distinguished beauty  of  the  Asian  culture  and  the
contribution of its people in business and the economy as well as in the
arts  and sciences has left substantial impacts on our global community;
the contributions of Asian Americans are  particularly  esteemed  within
this great Empire State and are acknowledged for their outstanding merit
and value; and

  WHEREAS,  Recognizing the significance of their contributions to the
City and the State of New York, this Legislative Body is proud to  honor
all   New  Yorkers  of  Asian  ancestry,  joining  with  them  in  their
celebration of Songkran; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
commemorate  the  Asian  American community's celebration of Songkran on
April 13-15, 2024; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That copies of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to distinguished members of the Asian American community.