[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 3]
[House]
[Pages 3398-3400]
[From the U.S. 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

[[Page 3399]]

     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?
  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.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to support H. 
Res. 267

[[Page 3400]]

``Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz, 
expressing appreciation to Iranian-Americans for their contributions to 
society, and wishing the Iranian-Americans and the people of Iran a 
prosperous new year.''
  As a cosponsor of this resolution, I am proud to recognize the 
contributions of Iranian Americans on their day of celebration. Nowruz 
is celebrated by nearly 300 million 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. Nowruz, 
which means new day, is celebrated on 21 March, the day of the vernal 
equinox. 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. The people of Iran 
have a long history of celebrating Nowruz--a holiday that 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.
  This resolution not only reminds us all of the contributions made by 
our Iranian constituents, but also of the trying times faced by 
Iranians in Iran and in the Iranian diaspora. During this time of 
renewal, my thoughts are with the residents of Camp Ashraf and their 
families--some of whom reside in my district.
  Late last year, three months after U.S. forces turned over control of 
Camp Ashraf, Iraqi security forces violated the human rights of the 
People's Mujahideen of Iran (PMOI). Camp Ashraf detains over 3,400 
exiled Iranian political dissidents, who are members of the PMOI, 
including over 1,000 women. The PMOI opposes the current Iranian 
regime, and for their political beliefs they have been exiled from Iran 
and sequestered in Camp Ashraf. Several women detained at Camp Ashraf 
have reported acts of intimidation and threats of physical and sexual 
violence by members of the Iraqi security forces.
  On July 28, 2009, Iraqi security forces conducted a raid on the 
detainees at Camp Ashraf. The raid occurred fewer than three months 
after the U.S. passed control of Camp Ashraf to the government of Iraq. 
The raid began on Tuesday, July 28th when Iraqi armored vehicles began 
attacks against the Iranian prisoners. The attacks continued for two 
full days and resulted in the death of 11 exiles and the injury of over 
400 more. As a result of the raid on Camp Ashraf, 36 men were arrested 
under allegations of violent behavior. The 36 arrested Camp Ashraf 
residents have since been freed, but the United States has a continuing 
interest in ensuring that the events of July 28th never occur again.
  The Iraqi government's treatment of the camp's residents sets a 
dangerous precedent for future treatment of minority groups. In recent 
years, there have been alarming numbers of religiously motivated 
killings, abductions, beatings, rapes, threats, intimidation, forced 
conversions, marriages, and displacement from homes and businesses, and 
attacks on religious leaders, pilgrims, and holy sites, in Iraq, with 
the smallest religious minorities in Iraq having been among the most 
vulnerable, although Iraqis from many religious communities, Muslim and 
non-Muslim alike, have suffered in this violence. In summary, members 
of small religious minority communities in Iraq do not have militia or 
tribal structures to defend them, do not receive adequate official 
protection, and are legally, politically, and economically 
marginalized.
  Madam Speaker, as 300 million people worldwide celebrate the start of 
a new year, it is my hope that Iranians around the world find peace and 
prosperity.
  Mr. WAXMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 267, a 
resolution recognizing Nowruz, a festival celebrating the Persian New 
Year and arrival of spring.
  It is a pleasure to join my colleagues in support of the first-ever 
congressional resolution marking Nowruz, a two-week holiday that is 
observed by millions of people of Persian descent in the United States, 
Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, and many other nations of the world. The 
holiday symbolizes renewal, health, happiness, peace and prosperity and 
is celebrated by adherents of many religions including Islam, Judaism, 
Zorastrainism, and the Bahai'i faith. It is a special time to share 
with family and friends and honor cultural traditions that date back 
more than 3,000 years.
  As reflected in this resolution, Nowruz is also a special opportunity 
to recognize the important contributions of the Iranian-American 
community to our Nation's social and economic fabric. In Los Angeles, 
which is home to the largest Iranian-American community in the United 
States, there is great pride in the community's devotion to civic 
activism, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship. I would like to take this 
opportunity to wish all those celebrating Nowruz Aideh Shoma Mobarak, a 
happy and prosperous new year.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. 
Res. 267, which recognizes the cultural and historical significance of 
Nowruz.
  As an original cosponsor of H. Res. 267, I am pleased that we are 
using this occasion to reflect on the many contributions Iranian 
Americans have made to our society. I am proud of the ethnically 
diverse district that I represent and greatly appreciate all that 
Iranian Americans have added to the rich and varied culture of New York 
City.
  Nowruz marks the traditional Iranian New Year and dates back more 
than 3,000 years. Nowruz, literally meaning ``new day,'' celebrates the 
arrival of spring and occurs on the vernal equinox which this year will 
happen on Saturday, March 20th.
  Through the ages Nowruz has provided the occasion for renewal and 
rejuvenation, displaying new resolve in settling old issues, and making 
new beginnings. Nowruz celebrates the core of our common humanity and 
our relation to Mother Nature. Although colored with vestiges of Iran's 
Mazdian and Zoroastrian past, Nowruz celebration is neither religious 
nor national in nature, nor is it an ethnic celebration. Muslim, 
Jewish, Zoroastrian, Baha'i, and Christian Iranians as well as many 
other peoples celebrate Nowruz with the same enthusiasm and sense of 
belonging.
  Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz and in 
its observance, I want to wish Iranian Americans and all those who 
observe this holiday a happy and prosperous new year.
  I would like to thank Representative Honda for introducing this 
important resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. ROYCE. Madam Speaker, the following speech, ``Nowruz: A New Day 
for Humanity,'' was given by Dr. Ahmad Karimi-Hakkak, on the evening of 
March 17, 2010, at the Library of Congress for the Nowruz Commission's 
inaugural event. Dr. Karimi-Hakkak serves as Chair of the Nowruz 
Commission's Cultural Committee.

                     Nowruz: A New Day for Humanity

       Nowruz, literally meaning ``new day,'' has lived up to its 
     name in wondrous ways. For at least three millennia, it has 
     provided the supreme occasion for renewal and rejuvenation. 
     The power behind its inexhaustible appeal resides in a simple 
     truth: humans need a ritual that transcends distinct and 
     distinguishable group identities to celebrate our common 
     humanity. Nowruz does so by inviting everyone to contemplate 
     nature as it puts on its most magnificent dress at springtime 
     and to synchronize personal and communal relations with the 
     spirit of nature. Pointing to nature's ability to renew 
     itself each and every year, Nowruz manifests intense human 
     yearnings that transcend all divisions. The roots of Nowruz 
     are scattered in myth and in history in much of western Asia 
     and is anchored most profoundly in Persian mythology, where 
     it marks the beginning of the calendar. In recent centuries, 
     as Empires in India and Iran, in Anatolia and Central Asia 
     gave way to the modern countries, Nowruz has been celebrated 
     in accordance with myriad local customs and traditions. 
     Everywhere, however, it offers the promise of a human 
     community in which a race of all races can create a new 
     global culture beyond all nationhood and nationality. It 
     aspires to no less than a human community as beautiful and 
     colorful as nature on the first day of spring.

  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.

                          ____________________