John,

Happy Lunar New Year! We’re now in the Year of the Dragon, which is defined by courage, tenacity, and intelligence. These are traits that New York’s Asian American community has embodied for more than a century.

Watch Governor Hochul’s Lunar New Year message ⤵️

I always look forward to celebrating Lunar New Year alongside New York’s incredible AAPI community, a special holiday that emphasizes prosperity and abundance, honoring our ancestors who came before us, and spending time with family.

That last part is especially meaningful to me.

We know that life can be fast-paced, and that opportunities to enjoy the company of loved ones don’t come around as often as we’d like. But when they do, families can make precious memories, and share customs and traditions with younger generations.

Yet for too long, AAPI New Yorkers had to celebrate their most important holidays apart or late at night as parents work and children head to school. Last year, we changed that.

Last September, I signed a bill into law declaring Lunar New Year a public school holiday across New York — making New York the first state in the country to give students the day off from school to celebrate with their families and to usher in a year of good fortune together. And we didn’t stop there. Since the beginning of my administration, we’ve worked hard to support Asian-American communities across the state.

Here in New York, we don’t just value the diverse communities that make up the mosaic of our great state. We celebrate them. I hope this Lunar New Year brings happiness, health, and prosperity to you and your families!

Ever Upward,

Gov. Kathy Hochul