THIRD READING

Bill No: ACR 171

Author: Low (D), et al.

Introduced: 4/9/24

Vote: 21

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 72-0, 4/18/24 (Consent) - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Songkran New Year Festival

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution joins Asian and Pacific Islander communities throughout the state, nation, and world in celebrating April 13, 2024, to April 15, 2024, as the Songkran New Year Festival.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

April 13, 2024, to April 15, 2024, will mark the celebration of Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, which is also celebrated in Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, by the Tai ethnic minority of Vietnam, and in the Yunnan province of China, as well as in Sri Lanka and other southeast Asian countries.
Songkran was originally Thailand’s New Year’s Day, signifying the start of the Thai calendar; between 1888 and 1940, Songkran and New Year’s Day in Thailand was celebrated on April 1, but was later changed to April 13 to April 15, when January 1 became synchronized across the world as New Year’s Day.
In Thailand, Songkran is one of Thailand’s most celebrated and iconic festivals. It is a time when people reunite with their families and pay their respects to older adults, ancestors, and sacred Buddha images. Pouring water is a ritual act during Songkran, symbolizing cleansing, reverence, and good fortune. Other activities include bathing important Buddha images, splashing water on family and friends, folk plays, games, music, and feasting.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized the value and importance of Songkran as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on December 6, 2023.
The recognition of Songkran reflects California’s commitment to celebrating the rich and diverse culture of our Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

This resolution joins Asian and Pacific Islander communities throughout the state, nation, and world in celebrating April 13, 2024, to April 15, 2024, as the Songkran New Year Festival.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 4/29/24)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 4/29/24)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 72-0, 4/18/24

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas

NO VOTE RECORDED: Arambula, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Cervantes, Megan Dahle, Essayli, Mathis

Prepared by: Aizenia Randhawa / SFA / (916) 651-1520

5/1/24 10:58:22

**** END ****

ACR 171: Songkran New Year Festival.

Current Status:

News Coverage: