The New York State Assembly adopted a resolution commemorating Lunar New Year on Jan. 28, 2025, and lawmakers on the floor described the measure as a historic recognition of Asian American communities.

Assemblymember Ron Kim, sponsor of Assembly Resolution No. 58, said the recognition marks a milestone: "For the first time, in the history of this nation, we are celebrating Lunar New Year as a statewide holiday, the first in the country to do so." He described the resolution as a step toward ensuring that future generations "know that Asian Americans belong in this country."

Kim recounted a personal memory during his remarks: "My mother, when I was a young boy... I remember the kids taunting me. Like, 'What is that smell? What is that thing?'" He said the new recognition will help younger New Yorkers feel a sense of belonging.

Assemblymember Lee said the change will affect school calendars: "Tomorrow, New York will close schools in observance of Lunar New Year, making New York the first state in the nation to recognize Lunar New Year as a statewide school holiday." Lee credited earlier lawmakers and community persistence for the milestone.

Assemblymember Chang noted the holiday’s global significance on the floor: "Chinese New Year is the second-largest celebrated holiday in the world," and added a wish for a "happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year."

The resolution—listed in the floor record as Assembly No. 58, "Legislative resolution commemorating the Asian American community celebration of Lunar New Year, the year of the snake on January 29, 2025"—was taken up with other resolutions and adopted by voice vote. Sponsors and speakers framed the adoption as both symbolic recognition and an operational change for schools on Jan. 29, 2025.

The adoption was part of a grouped set of resolutions the Assembly took up together; the clerk recorded the group adoption by voice vote.