RESOLUTION NO. 240506

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Sponsor:  Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw

RESOLUTION - Declaring June 15, 2024, as Dragon Boat Festival Day and commending the efforts of The Society for Friendship with China and its community partners and individuals for their collaboration and dedication in fostering cultural diversity, inclusiveness, and people-to-people friendship.

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WHEREAS, the Dragon Boat Festival, one of the major festivals celebrated in China and many Asian countries, originated in China over 2,000 years ago to honor Qu Yuan, a revered poet, statesman, diplomat, and reformer; and

WHEREAS, the annual Kansas City International Dragon Boat Festival has grown into a major community event since its inception in 2005, serving as a platform to showcase Chinese and Asian culture, promote people-to-people friendship, and advocate community diversity and inclusiveness.  It shines a light on Kansas City as it gains recognition as an international city; and

WHEREAS, the festival is to be held on June 15th this year by The Society for Friendship with China on Brush Creek at the Country Club Plaza, in partnership with the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department and with sponsorship from community organizations, including Bo Lings Fine Chinese Cuisine, Edgar Snow Memorial Foundation, Kansas City Sister Cities Association, Rotary Club of Kansas City (Rotary Club 13), Wolf Springs Elementary PTO, Zhang Li Dance Academy, Kansas City Classical Arts and Qipao Association, The Twelfth Street Heritage Development Corporation, and Zhou B Art Center; and

WHEREAS, Xi’an, China, a sister city of Kansas City since 1989, will send a delegation to visit Kansas City from June 12 to June 16, participating in the Dragon Boat Festival and celebrate the 35 years of partnership between the two cities; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council hereby commend the efforts of The Society for Friendship with China and its community partners and individual for their collaboration and dedication in fostering cultural diversity, inclusiveness, and people-to-people friendships within the City of Kansas City, Missouri and declares June 15, 2024, as Dragon Boat Festival Day; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to the Xi’an Delegation in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Kansas City-Xi’an Sister City relationship in promoting educational, cultural, and economic exchanges and to encourage all residents to partake in the festival, appreciate the cultural diversities, and embrace the spirit of unity, friendship, and harmony exemplified by this remarkable event.

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