[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 37 (Monday, March 15, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H1407-H1408]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NOWRUZ AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF IRANIAN-
                               AMERICANS

  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (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.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 267

       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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. 
Biggert) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and add any extraneous materials.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?

[[Page H1408]]

  There was no objection.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, I present House Resolution 267 for consideration. This 
legislation recognizes the cultural and historical significance of the 
traditional Iranian holiday of Nowruz, expresses our appreciation for 
the contributions of Iranian Americans to the United States and wishes 
all Iranian Americans, as well as the people of Iran, a prosperous new 
year.
  This resolution has been offered by my friend and colleague, 
Representative Mike Honda of California.
  I am going to yield to him such time as he may consume.
  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my good friend and 
colleague, Mr. Lynch from Massachusetts, for yielding me time.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my resolution, H. Res. 267, 
of the Iranian American community. Last year I introduced this 
resolution, which honors the Iranian New Year or Nowruz.
  This resolution recognizes the cultural and historic significance of 
Nowruz, expresses appreciation for the contributions of Iranian 
Americans to society, and wishes Iranian Americans and the people of 
Iran a prosperous new year.
  Nowruz will occur on March 21st of this year, and translates as ``A 
New Day'' or the first day of spring. This ancient holiday is rooted 
back to the Zoroastrian ancestors of modern Iran, and is celebrated 
over the first 13 days of spring.
  Iranian American constituents of mine tell me it is their favorite 
time of the year, when families get together, picnic at a park, and 
celebrate the coming of spring and the new year. Many Iranian Americans 
also take the time to visit friends and contribute to local charities 
during this holiday.
  Nowruz is not just celebrated by Iranians or Iranian Americans 
though. It is celebrated by over 300 million people across this world, 
and over one million Iranian Americans in our country. That is what 
intrigues me about this holiday. Nowruz festivities bring people 
together from all walks of life, not just Iranians, to join and 
celebrate as a community.
  This ancient holiday has survived centuries of religious differences 
and political rivalries, and is celebrated by a diverse group of people 
from different religious and ethnic backgrounds.
  Iranian Americans have made noteworthy and lasting contributions in 
all sectors of American public life, including as government, military, 
law enforcement officials, and in the fields of medicine, engineering 
and business.
  I am proud to represent the civically engaged Iranian American 
community in my Silicon Valley district who continue to teach all of us 
about their rich cultural history. I've had the opportunity to have 
meaningful dialogues with them over the years and witness firsthand 
their contributions to our society.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to stand on the House floor today to 
recognize and honor the exceptional ways in which the Iranian American 
community enriches our Nation's diversity. I wish the Iranian American 
community, and all those who celebrate Nowruz, a prosperous new year.

                              {time}  1500

  Mrs. BIGGERT. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 267 and 
join my colleague from California (Mr. Honda) in expressing 
appreciation to Iranian Americans for their contributions to society 
and wishing the people of Iran a prosperous new year.
  Nowruz, meaning ``new day,'' is a 3,000-year-old tradition that marks 
the beginning of spring and is celebrated by over 300 million people 
worldwide. Originated in ancient Persia, Nowruz is not limited to a 
specific ethnicity, religion, or creed. To commemorate the ideals and 
principles of Nowruz, families decorate a special table called the Haft 
Seen or Seven S's with items that symbolize significant characteristics 
associated with Nowruz such as love, life, prosperity, beauty, health, 
happiness, honesty, and faith.
  In congratulating Iranian Americans and Iranians throughout the world 
on this momentous holiday, I think it is important to acknowledge the 
many significant contributions of these fellow citizens and neighbors 
to the framework of our great Nation. Ostad Elahi, an Iranian 
philosopher, believes that it is everyone's duty to be useful in 
society and placed such importance on service to society that he 
considered it to be the true meaning of piety and altruism. Iranian 
Americans continue to hold true to this principle as evidenced by their 
many noteworthy contributions to this Nation. From science and 
technology to commerce and trade; academia and medicine to music and 
the arts, Iranian Americans continue to enrich the social and economic 
fabric of American society.
  Madam Speaker, I hope that our colleagues will join in recognizing 
this holiday by strengthening the ties of mutual respect with one 
another while advancing a harmonious exchange of ideals with our 
neighbors. We should mark the coming year with a revival of our shared 
values, principles, and ethics in the spirit of Nowruz.
  I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I ask 
all Members on both sides of the aisle to join with Mr. Honda, the 
principal sponsor of this resolution, and support House Resolution 267.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 267.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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