HR1344: HR1344 Lunar New Year Celebration; recognize

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives formally recognizes the Lunar New Year, which begins February 17, 2026, as an important celebration for many Asian and Pacific Islander communities in Georgia. The text notes that Georgia is home to nearly 500,000 Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, about 4 percent of the state's population, and that roughly 200,000 Georgians, mainly of Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese descent, celebrate the Lunar New Year. The resolution states that the House joins these communities in celebrating the holiday, known this year as the Year of the Snake, and wishes all Georgians a peaceful and prosperous new year. It also directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and the press. The resolution does not change any Georgia law; it is a ceremonial statement of recognition.

• Formally recognizes February 17, 2026 as the beginning of the Lunar New Year on behalf of the Georgia House of Representatives.
• States that House members join Asian and Pacific Islander communities in celebrating the holiday and extends wishes for a peaceful and prosperous new year to all Georgians.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to the public and the press.
• Does not create, amend, or repeal any Georgia statute; it is a symbolic statement rather than a change in law.

The resolution speaks to Georgia's Asian and Pacific Islander American communities, including residents of Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese descent who make up much of the roughly 200,000 Georgians who celebrate the Lunar New Year, as well as the Clerk of the House, who must distribute copies.

While the resolution carries no legal force and changes no law, it is an official acknowledgment by the Georgia House of Representatives of the cultural significance of the Lunar New Year and the size and contributions of Georgia's Asian and Pacific Islander population.

• The preamble ('WHEREAS' clauses) cites Georgia's Asian and Pacific Islander population of nearly 500,000, about 4 percent of the state's total population.
• Notes that Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese Georgians, about 200,000 people, predominantly observe the Lunar New Year.
• The resolved clause has the House join in celebrating February 17, 2026 as the start of the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Snake.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and press.

1. 2026-02-11House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2026-02-11House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-11House Hopper (House)

• Long Tran (D, HD-080)Primary sponsor
• Soo Hong (R, HD-103)
• Michelle Au (D, HD-050)
• Marvin Lim (D, HD-098)
• Charlice Byrd (R, HD-020)

• Lunar New Year
• Asian American community
• cultural recognition
• Georgia House resolutions