OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington would gain a 12th state holiday if a bill making its way through a House committee is passed.

Representative My-Linh Thai introduced the measure that would establish a state holiday on the Lunar New Year.

The Bellevue Democrat came to the U.S. as a refugee from Vietnam when she was 15 and is the first refugee elected to the Washington state legislature.

The Lunar New Year begins on the second full moon following the Winter Solstice.

2023 is the Year of the Rabbit in much of East Asia and the Year of the Cat in Vietnam.