HAPPY NEW YEAR PICS III

Obama sends Lunar New Year greetings

Obama sends Lunar New Year greetings

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/special/springfestival2010/2010-02/13/c_13174427.htm

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Barack Obama has issued a message of greetings to those celebrating the Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 14.

In taped remarks published on the White House website, Obama sent his “warmest wishes to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, the people of Asia, and all those around the world who are celebrating the Lunar New Year.”

“May you be blessed with peace, prosperity and good health — now and in the year ahead,” he said.

In marking this special occasion, Obama said, Americans of Asian descent will continue the rich traditions of the past and begin new ones with their own families.

“Together, they serve as a reminder of the richness and diversity that make our country great,” he said.

President Obama Extends Best Wishes for Lunar New Year | The White House

http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/president-obama-extends-best-wishes-lunar-new-year

UN chief wishes Chinese people happy, prosperous new year

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/special/springfestival2010/2010-02/13/c_13174205.htm

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Friday sent a message to the Chinese people to wish them happy and a prosperous new year as the traditional Chinese Spring Festival draws near.

“On the occasion of the Lunar New Year — the Year of Tiger, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to the Chinese people,” the secretary-general said in the message.

“I wish the Chinese people greater prosperity, happiness and well-being in the New Year,” he said, “I look forward to greater contributions by the Chinese people toward world peace and development in the New Year.”

In the message, Ban also writes the Chinese characters “Hu Nian Da Ji,” meaning in English “Good luck in the Year of the Tiger.”

The secretary-general signed the message in Chinese.

Hillary Clinton celebrates Chinese lunar New Year

Hillary Clinton celebrates Chinese lunar New Year

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-02/15/c_13175868.htm

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton celebrated lunar New Year on Sunday, wishing peace, prosperity and health to everyone around the world who celebrates the traditional Chinese festival.

Clinton, who is on a three-day tour to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, said in a statement that people on every continent mark this occasion, “ushering in a new year of promise and possibility.”

She said in the United States, millions of Asian-Americans will gather with friends and family to welcome the Year of the Tiger and honor their vibrant heritage.

Clinton also stated in her message that the festival offers an opportunity to “reaffirm the bonds of mutual respect and mutual interest that unite us across borders and cultures, and recommit to working together to ensure the year ahead brings progress on the many shared challenges we face.”

Sunday marks the first day of the Chinese lunar New Year. The new year is the Year of the Tiger, according to Chinese tradition.

Chinese Lunar New Year in New York City 2010 – Celebrate Chinese New Year in New York City’s Chinatown

http://gonyc.about.com/cs/holidays/a/chinesenewyear.htm

Los Angeles: Golden Dragon Parade

About.com: http://www.lagoldendragonparade.com/

http://travelwithkids.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.lagoldendragonparade.com/

Chinese New Year in Los Angeles – Los Angeles Chinese and Vietnamese New Year

http://golosangeles.about.com/od/losangelescalendar/a/ChineseNewYear.htm

About.com: http://www.chineseparade.com/

http://travelwithkids.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.chineseparade.com/