HOUSE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE CELEBRATION OF THE CAMBODIAN NEW YEAR AND THE "YEAR OF THE HORSE" ON APRIL 13-15, 2026

H8420

2026 -- H 8420
========
LC004530
========

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
RECOGNIZING THE CELEBRATION OF THE CAMBODIAN NEW YEAR AND THE
"YEAR OF THE HORSE" ON APRIL 13-15, 2026

Introduced By:
Representatives Morales, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Slater,
Kennedy, Ajello, Fellela, Boylan, and Tanzi

Date Introduced:
April 09, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
1
WHEREAS, One of the most important and popular of Cambodian holidays, ushering in
2
the New Year, is Choul Chnam Thmey, which literally means "Enter the New Year." It occurs
3
from April 13th through the 15th and marks the end of the harvesting season; and
4
WHEREAS, Each Cambodian year is popularly known by one of the 12 animals of the
5
Zodiac. These names provide a ready reference because each is used only once in 12 years. This
6
year, 2026, will be celebrated as the "Year of the Horse"; and
7
WHEREAS, The holiday celebration is a three-day event that begins on New Year’s Day.
8
Moha Sangkran is the first day of the event and symbolizes the ending of one year and beginning
9
anew. Cambodians traditionally clean and decorate their homes and prepare food for the New
10
Year inauguration and to welcome the "New Angels at every single home"; and
11
WHEREAS, Day two of the Cambodian New Year's celebration is Wanabot. It is a time
12
to offer gifts to one's parents, grandparents, and elders, and to contribute to charity and help those
13
less fortunate; and
14
WHEREAS, The third day of the New Year's celebration is called Thhnay Leung Sakk,
15
which means the year "starts to be counted from this day." People generally go to temple in the
16
morning and end the day with the "Pithi Srang Preah" where they cleanse the Buddha statues and
17
their monks, elders, parents, and grandparents as an act of contrition to apologize for any
18
transgressions done to them; and
19
WHEREAS, The Cambodian New Year's holiday is rich with tradition and a perfectly

1
wonderful time for men and women, both young and old, to come together and celebrate; now,
2
therefore, be it
3
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
4
recognizes the celebration of the Cambodian New Year and the "Year of the Horse" on April 13-
5
15, 2026; and be it further
6
RESOLVED, That this House hereby wishes to extend its deepest respect and
7
appreciation to the Rhode Island Cambodian community for all that it has contributed to the rich
8
diversity of Rhode Island culture; and be it further
9
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
10
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Suonriaksmay Keo, President of the
11
Cambodian Society of Rhode Island, Inc.
========
LC004530
========

LC004530 - Page 2 of 2