ALBANY – The New York State Senate unanimously passed S.4648 (Golden, Squadron) on Tuesday night which would establish the Asian Lunar New Year as a school holiday in New York City. Legislation passed last year authorized the New York City Department of Education to consider closure for the holiday. This legislation would require it. State Senator Daniel Squadron (D-Manhattan/Brooklyn), Assemblymember Ron Kim (D-Queens), U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) and Councilmember Margaret Chin (D-Manhattan) released the following statement in response:

"We're glad the State Senate has passed legislation to establish a Lunar New Year school holiday in New York City. Asian-American students comprise approximately 15 percent of all public school students in New York City. The time is now to acknowledge Lunar New Year, and no longer force those who celebrate it to choose between class and their most important cultural holiday. The passage of this bill is a big deal.

But this week's vote to establish Lunar New Year as a school holiday in New York City should not have been necessary. We continue to urge the de Blasio Administration to include Lunar New Year as a school holiday and to engage with the community on this issue. The Mayor made a pledge on this. In the meantime, we look forward to pushing Assemblymember Kim's bill in the Assembly."