HR404 - Recognizing March 5, 2025, as Zoroastrian Day at the State Capitol.

      H.R. No. 404       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, Members of the Zoroastrian faith who reside in Texas   are gathering in Austin on March 5, 2025, to celebrate Zoroastrian   Day at the State Capitol; and          WHEREAS, Founded by the prophet Zarathushtra in ancient Iran   more than 3,000 years ago, Zoroastrianism is one of the world's   oldest monotheistic religions; Zoroastrianism flourished as the   imperial religion of three Persian empires, the Achaemenid,   Parthian, and Sasanian, during which times it was the dominant   religion of an area spanning from Turkey to China; and          WHEREAS, Today, there are an estimated 100,000 to 200,000   Zoroastrians worldwide; embracing the sacred text Avesta as the   foundation of their faith, they are defined by their belief in   truth, righteousness, charity, beneficence, respect and care for   the environment, and the triumph of good over evil, and they have   played a long-standing role in fostering interfaith dialogue and   understanding; and          WHEREAS, The Zoroastrian community in North America, which   numbers over 25,000 followers, includes those who arrived from the   Indian subcontinent, who are known as Parsis, and those who came   from Iran in search of religious freedom; more than 1,100   Zoroastrians reside in Texas, with the largest populations being   found in the Greater Houston area and North Texas; adherents in the   state represent a wide range of professions, and they include small   business owners and well-respected community members; and          WHEREAS, Encompassing a rich and diverse religious   tradition, Zoroastrianism inspires its worshippers to lead   virtuous lives through their words and deeds, and the Lone Star   State is enriched and strengthened by the many contributions of   members of this faith who call our state home; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature hereby recognize March 5, 2025, as Zoroastrian Day at   the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to those who are   visiting Austin in observance of this occasion.     Bhojani   Bumgarner   Wu   Howard   Lujan     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 404 was adopted by the House on March   13, 2025, by a non-record vote.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House