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, ...
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