Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates Lunar New Year
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement recognizing Lunar New Year:
“Happy Lunar New Year to the millions who celebrate in California and across the globe! I am especially proud to join the beautiful and vibrant Asian American and Pacific Islander communities of the East Bay in welcoming the Year of the Tiger.
“California has one of the largest, most diverse, and culturally rich AAPI populations in the country. This year, I was proud to work alongside the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) to enact Congresswoman Grace Meng’s COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which has helped strengthen our defenses against AAPI hate crimes, empowering communities through multilingual reporting resources, directing federal agencies to raise awareness through community-based organizations, and creating a position at the Department of Justice to expediate the review of COVID-19 related hate crimes. Congress must not stop working until we ensure justice and accountability for anyone that engages in anti-AAPI rhetoric or crimes.
“I am also proud to cosponsor her resolution recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year in 2022, and her bill to establish it as a federal holiday. May the Year of the Tiger bring us the courage, leadership, and strength we need to address the challenges ahead. I wish everyone and their loved ones a year filled with happiness, good fortune, and good health!”
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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations. She serves as Co-Chair of the Steering & Policy Committee, former Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Chair Emeritus of the Progressive Caucus, Co-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Health Task Force, and Co-Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus. She also serves as Chair of the Majority Leader’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity. As a member of the House Democratic Leadership, she is the highest ranking Black woman in the U.S. Congress.