State Representative D-96 Christine Hunschofsky

On March 1, 2020, we had the first announcement that two Floridians
had tested positive for COVID-19. The virus has impacted our lives in so many ways from our health to our economy, from how we connect with one another and how we do business, from how we learn to how we shop. So much has changed in our lives this past year and now with several vaccines available, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. As we wait for more vaccine supplies to become available, please visit https://floridahealthcovid19.gov for updates and continue to take precautions to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

March 2, 2021 is the opening day for the Florida legislative session. The Florida Legislature meets every year for 60 consecutive days of session and while some things will be different this year, there is much work for us to get done. We will be tackling unemployment, insurance rates, early literacy, climate change and flooding, among many other issues important to the residents of the State of Florida.

During the session I will continue to provide you with updates.

If you wish to join our email list, please email Lisa.Librizzi @myfloridahouse.gov to be added to the list. Additionally, you can visit www.myfloridahouse.gov to watch meetings, review agendas and presentations, and track bills that have been submitted. Please reach out to us at HDIST096@ myfloridahouse.gov regarding any particular concerns you have with bills coming in front of us for debate and vote. I value your input and your perspective.

March is also Women’s History Month and a time we recognize and celebrate the contributions women have made to our country and history. Our office is holding a Women’s History Essay contest for students grades K-12 in District 96.

To participate, please send us your essay of 500 words or less about a woman who you look up to or who you feel has made a positive contribution to our  society.

We want to know why this woman is special to you. It could be someone from history or someone you know today. Email us the essay to Lisa.Librizzi @myfloridahouse.gov with “Essay Contest” in the subject line.

Please include your name, email, and phone number. We will have three winners from grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve you in the Florida House. Please reach out to our office if we can be of assistance with unemployment issues, vaccine distribution information, or if you have a concern you would like addressed. It is our pleasure to help wherever we can. In the meantime, follow me on Facebook at @RepHunschofsky and on Twitter at @chunschofsky for more updates. As always, I look forward to hearing from you!

Asians welcome the year of the Ox

Across eastern Asia on Feb 12, 2021, people will be celebrating Chinese New Year, ushering in the year of the Ox. For the growing Asian population of South Florida, this year’s celebration will be subdued compared to previous years.

Chinese New Year falls on different dates each year because it’s based on the lunar calendar and often called the Spring Festival. It’s the most important holiday in several Asian countries including China, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Philippines.

Spring Festival is when extended families come together and celebrate the beginning of the new year. Gifts are often exchanged and parents often give red envelopes filled with money to children. Lavish dinners with many dishes symbolizing unity and good luck are served. New Year’s rituals span two weeks, so you will often find businesses in east Asia taking a long vacation during this period.

In the US, you will find many of the traditional celebrations, such as dragon and lion dances and the hanging of red lanterns in many China towns across the country. But this year, this is expected to be more subdued, and many families will be celebrating at home.

The Ox from the Chinese Horoscope symbolizes someone who is honest and hardworking. As we all recover from a difficult 2020, I hope the spirit of the Ox imbues us with the strength to take on the recovery, and leads to a prosperous 2021.