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2022 Year of the Tiger
Lunar New Year is now a state holiday in California
Ryan General
16 mins ago
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 2596 on Friday, officially making Lunar New Year a state holiday.
The new state law, authored by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell), authorizes any state employee to receive eight hours of holiday credit rather than personal holiday credit and utilize eight hours of vacation, annual leave or compensating time off to observe the Lunar New Year.
The Lunar New Year, which usually takes place at the end of January or beginning of February, is predominantly celebrated by Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and other Asian communities.
“Recognizing this day as a state holiday acknowledges the diversity and cultural significance Asian Americans bring to California and provides an opportunity for all Californians to participate in the significance of the Lunar New Year,” Newsom said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill officially recognizing Lunar New Year as a state holiday.
Assembly Bill (AB) 2596, authored by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell), was among the number of bills Newsom passed before the Friday midnight deadline.
The new state law authorizes any state employee to receive eight hours of holiday credit rather than personal holiday credit and utilize eight hours of vacation, annual leave or compensating time off to observe the Lunar New Year.
With the addition of the Lunar New Year, California now has three new state holidays, including Juneteenth and Genocide Remembrance Day.
“The Lunar New Year celebrates a chance to leave behind the troubles of the past year and invite prosperity and good luck moving forward,” Newsom wrote in his signing message. “Recognizing this day as a state holiday acknowledges the diversity and cultural significance Asian Americans bring to California and provides an opportunity for all Californians to participate in the significance of the Lunar New Year.”
According to Newsom, he is “immensely proud of the richness of diversity and backgrounds represented in our state and understand the importance of wanting to see one’s own experience reflected in state holidays.”
The Lunar New Year, which usually takes place at the end of January or the beginning of February, is predominantly celebrated by Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and other Asian communities. Based on the lunar calendar, the special event marks the arrival of spring.
Earlier this year, Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) introduced a new bill that would recognize Lunar New Year as a federal holiday in the U.S.
Featured Image via CGTN America
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Just got this from WildAid
Lunar New Year 2022 ushered in the Year of the Tiger. This is seen by many as a hopeful sign.
After all, the tiger is inspirational in Chinese culture as a vanquisher of evil, and most of the world sees tigers as strong, brave, and resilient. What better symbol for these challenging times?
The largest of all big cats, these iconic predators play a critical role in maintaining balance in their ecosystems.
Tigers are indeed iconic, but they are also in trouble.
A few startling statistics:
Fewer than 3,900 tigers are estimated to remain in the wild
Tigers inhabit less than 6 percent of their historic range
Approximately 150 wild tigers are killed annually to satisfy demand for illicit products
Of the nine tiger subspecies, three have already gone extinct
Tigers remain in only 13 countries
Whats driving them to extinction?
Demand for tiger products, which are often used in traditional medicine or kept as amulets and charms
Habitat loss
Human-wildlife conflict
Climate change
Help WildAid protect these iconic big cats and wildlife around the globe.
For 22 years, WildAid has worked to help protect tigers amid the growing threats of the modern world. Through various behavior change campaigns and innovative programs, weve been able to drive cost-effective yet high-impact results.
For example:
Through the establishment of the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, China has increased the number of tigers in its territory from 27 in 2017 to 50 todayand it continues to grow. Billboards sharing this achievement and the important role rangers play in tiger conservation received three billion views across 204 cities and inspired more than 90% of the surveyed audience to take action to protect tigers.
In partnership with prominent Thai opinion and spiritual leaders, WildAid launched a campaign to help deter the use of amulets made from tiger parts by raising awareness about how the demand for these products fuels poaching and illegal trade.
WildAid is part of the International Tiger Coalition, which is comprised of 42 environmental, zoological, and animal protection groups. Together, the coalition has worked on the call for a permanent ban on the trade in tiger parts and products for over a decade.
A Healthy World for All
As a species thats integral to the wellbeing of the ecosystem, tigersalong with other keystone species like elephants, sharks, rhinos, and moreare the foundation for a healthy world for all. Every species is interconnected. Every species deserves to be protected.
Together, lets make this year truly the Year of the Tiger.
Yours in conservation,
Hank Lynch
CEO
P.S. WildAid is proud to maintain a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting strong oversight and fiscal responsibility. Please give today.
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