Recognizing and celebrating the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake, and honoring Philadelphia's Chinatown as a vibrant, historical, and vital neighborhood in our City's fabric.

WHEREAS, The Lunar New Year is a time of festivity, focus, reflection, renewal and resilience. This year marks the arrival of the Year of the Snake, symbolizing wisdom, transformation, and perseverance; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia’s Chinatown has long been a vibrant cultural and economic hub, enriching the City with its traditions, festivals, and community spirit. Each year, its Lunar New Year celebrations-including parades, performances, and gatherings serve as a cherished highlight in Philadelphia’s cultural calendar; and

WHEREAS, The Chinatown community is a pillar of resilience and diversity, forged by the struggles of early Chinese immigrants, many of whom faced systemic discrimination after working on the transcontinental railroad. Despite enduring economic hardships, world wars, and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic which intensified racial discrimination and economic challenges-Chinatown has persevered for more than 150 years and continues to thrive; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated organizations, including Asian Americans United, the Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Suns, and the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation, have worked tirelessly to uphold the integrity and success of Chinatown’s Lunar New Year celebrations. Their unwavering commitment to community advocacy and cultural preservation is both commendable and inspiring; and

WHEREAS, This year’s Lunar New Year celebration honored the enduring legacy of Chinatown and its significance to local residents, the broader Asian American community, and all Philadelphians; and

WHEREAS, The Year of the Snake is an appropriate spirit to welcome the selfless and determined wisdom of Chinatown community leaders and organizers, who throughout the years have insisted that residents' voices are heard in decisions impacting their homes, businesses, and community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes and celebrates the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake, and honoring Philadelphia’s Chinatown as a vibrant, historical, and vital neighborhood in our City’s fabric.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That five Engrossed copies of this resolution be presented to Asian Americans United, Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Suns, the Pennsylvania United Chinese Coalition and the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation as an expression of the gratitude and admiration of the Council of the City of Philadelphia.

End