[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 44 (Monday, March 22, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S1816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING NOWRUZ AND EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO IRANIAN-AMERICANS

  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to 
the immediate consideration of S. Res. 463 submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 463) 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.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be 
agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, en bloc; the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc; that any statements relating 
to the resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 463) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 463

       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, 
     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 the 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 to 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 people of 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 public life in the United States, 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 of the 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 Senate--
       (1) recognizes the cultural and historical significance of 
     Nowruz;
       (2) encourages the peaceful observance of the Nowruz 
     holiday in Iran, and strongly supports the right of all 
     Iranians to exercise freedom of assembly, freedom of 
     expression, and freedom of speech;
       (3) expresses its appreciation for the contributions of 
     Iranian-Americans to society in the United States in 
     observance of Nowruz; and
       (4) wishes Iranian-Americans and the people of Iran and all 
     those who observe this holiday a prosperous new year.

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