Bill Text: NY K00144 | 2025-2026 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commemorating the Asian American community's celebration of Losar on February 28-March 2, 2025

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 17-5)

Status: (Passed) 2025-02-26 - adopted [K00144 Detail]

Download: New_York-2025-K00144-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 144

BY: M. of A. Raga

        COMMEMORATING   the   Asian  American  community's
        celebration of Losar on February 28-March 2, 2025

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in  keeping  with
its  time-honored  traditions,  to  recognize  and  pay tribute to those
organizations and events which  foster  ethnic  pride  and  enhance  the
profile  of  cultural  diversity  which  strengthens  the  fabric of the
communities of New York State; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud  to  commemorate  the
Asian  American community's celebration of Losar on February 28-March 2,
2025; and

  WHEREAS, Losar is a traditional  New  Year  celebration  that  holds
profound  cultural  importance  among  Nepali,  Tibetan,  Bhutanese, and
various other Himalayan communities residing in the State of  New  York,
particularly in vibrant neighborhoods like Queens and Brooklyn; and

  WHEREAS, The term Losar is derived from two words: Lo, meaning year,
and  Sar,  meaning new; Losar is also pronounced as Lhosar and Lhochhar;
and

  WHEREAS, Losar, the Himalayan New Year celebration,  shares  ancient
origins  in both Nepal and Tibet, deeply intertwined with their cultural
and histories; and

  WHEREAS, Losar serves as an opportunity for younger  generations  to
learn  about  and  embrace  their  rich  cultural  tapestry  and vibrant
heritage of the Himalayan communities; and

  WHEREAS, Culinary  traditions  play  a  significant  role  in  Losar
celebrations,  with  families  preparing and sharing special dishes that
hold cultural significance; Khapse, deep-fried pastries, are  a  popular
treat  symbolizing  abundance and prosperity; traditional dishes such as
dumpling soup and Guthuk, a special Tibetan noodle  soup  with  symbolic
ingredients  representing  fortune  and  wisdom, are also enjoyed during
this festive time; and

  WHEREAS, Furthermore, the exchange  of  traditional  greetings  like
"Losar   Tashi  Delek"  and  "Happy  Losar/Lhosar/Lhochhar"  during  the
festivities serves to  convey  wishes  for  good  fortune,  health,  and
auspiciousness, fostering a sense of communal well-being; and

  WHEREAS,  In  the  State  of  New  York,  between  2010 to 2015, the
Nepalese population experienced a 103%  population  increase  (3,156  to
6,392);  this growth rate was much higher than the city's, which was 4%,
as well as the growth rate of the total Asian population, which was 13%;
and

  WHEREAS, The Tibetan community in the greater New York area makes up
the largest concentration of Tibetans  in  the  United  States  and  the
western world; and

  WHEREAS,  Losar  celebration  not  only strengthens bonds within the
community, but also fosters  a  sense  of  unity  and  solidarity  among
growing  Nepali, Tibetan, Bhutanese and other Himalayan diaspora members
in the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS,  Some  of  the most attended Losar celebrations in New York
include  the  New  Year  Celebration  organized  by  the  United  Sherpa
Association   in   Queens;  the  Losar  Tibetan  and  Chinese  New  Year
celebration organized by Palpung Thubten Choling Monastery in Wappingers
Falls; and the Tibetan Losar Day 2 Celebration organized by the  Tibetan
Community of New York and New Jersey located in Woodside; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the practice of this Legislative Body to recognize
those important days which remind us of the rich and diverse heritage of
our great State and Nation; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
commemorate  the  Asian  American  community's  celebration  of Losar on
February 28-March 2, 2025.