Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz.

IV 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 237 Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MARCH 16, 2021 Ms. LOFGREN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz. 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 commu- nity, it harkens the departure from the trials and tribu- lations of the previous year, and it brings hope for the New Year; Whereas Nowruz is celebrated by nearly 300,000,000 Ira- nians and other peoples all over the world, including in the United States, Iran, and other countries in Central VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:19 Mar 17, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR237.IH HR237 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 237 IH Asia, South Asia, the Caucasus, Crimea, and the Balkan region; Whereas Nowruz is celebrated by Iranian Americans of all backgrounds, including those with Baha’i, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Zoroastrian, and nonreligious back- grounds; Whereas Nowruz serves to remind the United States of the many lasting contributions of the Persian civilization to the world and the noteworthy impact of Iranian Ameri- cans 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 govern- ment, military, and law enforcement officials working to uphold the Constitution of the United States and to pro- tect all people in the United States; Whereas Iranian Americans maintain strong ties to the peo- ple of Iran and desire to see a democratic Iran that re- spects human rights; Whereas Congress supports the Iranian people’s right to free- dom of expression and speech; and Whereas Nowruz embodies the tradition that each individ- ual’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 con- nects the Persian New Year to the values of human rights: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) recognizes the cultural and historical signifi- 2 cance of Nowruz; 3 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:19 Mar 17, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR237.IH HR237 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 237 IH (2) expresses its appreciation for the contribu- 1 tions of Iranian Americans to society in the United 2 States in observance of Nowruz; 3 (3) recognizes the hopes and aspirations of all 4 people, including the people of Iran, for human 5 rights and religious tolerance as embodied in the 6 spirit of Nowruz; 7 (4) commends the observance of the Nowruz 8 holiday in both the United States and Iran, and 9 strongly supports the right of all Iranians to exercise 10 freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, and 11 freedom of speech; and 12 (5) wishes Iranian Americans and the people of 13 Iran and all those who observe this holiday a pros- 14 perous new year. 15 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:19 Mar 17, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR237.IH HR237 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS