Ziran Yuan

Personal Website

Ziran Yuan

Personal Webiste

Lunar New Year Bill

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Local Stage - Basking Ridge Town Petition

Local Stage - Basking Ridge Town Petition

It started at a small table during Bernards Township’s Lunar New Year celebration—just handwritten signs and quiet conversations. Then came the websites, brochures, and posters. I attended more community events to gather petitioners, and soon our high school’s Chinese Club joined in. Others followed. By the end, 357 people had signed the petition for the Lunar New Year bill.

It started at a small table during Bernards Township’s Lunar New Year celebration—just handwritten signs and quiet conversations. Then came the websites, brochures, and posters. I attended more community events to gather petitioners, and soon our high school’s Chinese Club joined in. Others followed. By the end, 357 people had signed the petition for the Lunar New Year bill.

State Legislature — Advocacy and Testimony

State Legislature — Advocacy and Testimony

I reached out to all 120 New Jersey legislators, helped secure 20 sponsors for the bill, and testified twice before committee hearings. Together with other petitioners, we kept urging for a vote—again and again—until the very last day of the 2023–2024 legislative session.

I reached out to all 120 New Jersey legislators, helped secure 20 sponsors for the bill, and testified twice before committee hearings. Together with other petitioners, we kept urging for a vote—again and again—until the very last day of the 2023–2024 legislative session.

Bill Passage — Final Vote & Media Coverage

Bill Passage — Final Vote & Media Coverage

The bill was finally passed unanimously on January 8, 2024,

A New Tradition — From Law to Celebration

A New Tradition — From Law to Celebration

The Governor's first Lunar New Year celebration in Trenton.

The Governor's first Lunar New Year celebration in Trenton.

Bernards Township Commendation

NJ Legislation Recognition

Governor and First Lady's Recognition

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After the bill passed, with friends and Chinese Culture Club, I continued joining Lunar New Year celebrations at local schools and community centers.
Watching children dance in traditional clothes and teachers hang red lanterns reminded me why this mattered — because policy, at its best, makes space for belonging.