[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 267 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 267

    Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz, 
expressing appreciation to Iranian-Americans for their contributions to 
    society, and wishing Iranian-Americans and the people of Iran a 
                          prosperous new year.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 19, 2009

     Mr. Honda (for himself, Mrs. Maloney, Ms. Linda T. Sanchez of 
California, Mr. Filner, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Ellison, Mr. Moran 
of Virginia, Mr. Kucinich, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Meeks of New York, 
 Mr. Hinchey, Mr. Farr, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Tierney, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. 
    DeFazio, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Al Green of Texas, Ms. Zoe Lofgren of 
California, Mrs. Tauscher, Ms. Woolsey, Ms. Richardson, Ms. Kosmas, Mr. 
  Paul, and Ms. Hirono) submitted the following resolution; which was 
      referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz, 
expressing appreciation to Iranian-Americans for their contributions to 
    society, and wishing Iranian-Americans and the people of Iran a 
                          prosperous new year.

Whereas Nowruz marks the traditional Iranian New Year, which originated in 
        ancient Persia, and dates back more than 3,000 years;
Whereas Nowruz, meaning a ``New Day'', occurs on the vernal equinox and 
        celebrates the arrival of spring;
Whereas Nowruz symbolizes a time of renewal and community, it harkens the 
        departure from the trials and tribulations of the previous year and 
        brings hope for the New Year;
Whereas Nowruz is celebrated by nearly 300,000,000 Iranians and other peoples 
        all over the world, including in the United States, Iran, and other 
        countries in Central Asia, South Asia, Caucasus, Crimea, and Balkan 
        Regions;
Whereas Nowruz is celebrated by more than 1,000,000 Iranian-Americans of all 
        backgrounds, including those with Baha'i, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, 
        Zoroastrian, and non-religious backgrounds;
Whereas the people of Iran have a long history of celebrating Nowruz and are 
        congratulated for their bringing in of the New Year;
Whereas Nowruz embodies the tradition that each individual's thinking, speaking, 
        and conduct should always be virtuous, and the ideal of compassion for 
        our fellow human beings regardless of ethnicity or religion, and 
        symbolizes a time of renewal and community;
Whereas the United States is a melting pot of ethnicities and religion and 
        Nowruz contributes the richness of American culture and is consistent 
        with our founding principles of peace and prosperity for all;
Whereas in 539 B.C., Cyrus the Great established one of the earliest charters on 
        human rights, which abolished slavery and allowed for freedom of 
        religion, and this marker in Iranian history has had significant impact 
        on the respect for human rights that Iranian-Americans carry today;
Whereas Nowruz serves to remind the United States of the many noteworthy and 
        lasting contributions of Iranian-Americans to the social and economic 
        fabric of society in the United States;
Whereas Iranian-Americans continue to make contributions in all sectors of 
        American public life, including as government, military, and law 
        enforcement officials working to uphold the Constitution of the United 
        States and to protect all people in the United States;
Whereas Iranian-Americans are vibrant, peaceful, and law-abiding citizens, many 
        of whom are Baha'i, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Zoroastrian faiths; 
        and
Whereas the Iranian-American community continues to enrich the tapestry of the 
        diversity in the United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the cultural and historical significance of 
        Nowruz;
            (2) expresses its appreciation for the contributions of 
        Iranian-Americans to society in the United States in observance 
        of Nowruz; and
            (3) wishes Iranian-Americans and the people of Iran and all 
        those who observe this holiday a prosperous new year.
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