Record #: R2016-467   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 6/22/2016 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 6/22/2016
Title: Commemoration of Dragon Boat Festival
Sponsors: Emanuel, Rahm, Solis, Daniel, Thompson, Patrick D.
Attachments: 1. R2016-467.pdf

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

CITY OF CHICAGO

RAHM EMANUEL

MAYOR

June 22, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Together with Aldermen Solis and Thompson, I transmit herewith a resolution regarding the Dragon Boat Festival.

 

Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.

Mayor

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

RESOLUTION

 

 

 

WHEREAS, the Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Tuen Ng or Duanwu Festival, begins on the 5th day ofthe 5th month ofthe Chinese lunar calendar, falling this year on June 9; and

WHEREAS, this festival is celebrated in many countries and places, including China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Chicago; and

WHEREAS, this august Body has been notified of this important festival by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Honorable Alderman Daniel Solis ofthe 25th Ward; and

WHEREAS, the Festival commemorates the life of Chinese minister Qu Yuan, who lived during the warring states period of ancient China; and

WHEREAS, Qu Yuan, though wrongly exiled, remained steadfast in his love of his country; and

WHEREAS, in exile Qu Yuan wrote poems in a new style, expressing his concern for his country's future, his pity for its people, and his anger at its selfish leadership; and

 

WHEREAS, Qu Yuan loved his country so much that he honored it through his own suicide, drowning in the Miluo River; and

WHEREAS, boaters attempted to save Qu Yuan by racing to him before he drowned, beating drums and the water to keep the fishes and evil spirits away, and attempting to distract the fishes and a river dragon from eating him by giving them rice; and

WHEREAS, it is believed that this is the origin of some of this holiday's traditions, such as racing dragon boats and eating sticky rice dumplings; and

WHEREAS, we embrace the values of conviction, steadfastness, and patriotism, all celebrated by this festival; and

WHEREAS, through its traditions, festivals, and culture, of which the Dragon Boat Races is a splendid example, the Chinese and Chinese-American community has enriched the City of Chicago, now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this twenty-second day of June, 2016, do hereby acknowledge the cultural and historical significance of the Dragon Boat Festival; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Chicago's Chinese and Chinese-American community as a symbol of our esteem and respect.