DNC Commemorates Lunar New Year

February 11, 2008

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, DNC Vice Chair Congressman Mike Honda and DNC APIA Caucus Chair Bel Leong-Hong issued the following joint statement commemorating the Lunar New Year, which began Thursday with the new moon and will continue to be celebrated until the full moon on the 21st of February:

"On behalf of Democrats everywhere, we join the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in celebration of the Lunar New Year. A time to remember ancestors, reunite family, and give thanks, the Lunar New Year is also a reminder of America's great diversity. The AAPI community is itself a greatly diverse community, representing nearly 50 different countries and ethnicities. While the Lunar New Year is not observed by all AAPIs, it still gives many members of the community a time to reflect on the year that passed and the year that lies ahead.

The AAPI community has made great strides with AAPI leaders being elected across the country to represent not only AAPI voters, but communities in cities as diverse as Minneapolis, and across the country from Boston, to Austin, to San Jose. Together we can look forward to making great strides in 2008, and AAPI voters will no doubt make it possible to elect a Democratic President to the White House. The Democratic Party stands with the AAPI community looking back to honor the traditions established by our ancestors, but also looking forward to working together to protect our freedoms, ensure fairness, and to face the future with strength and optimism."