By Morad Ghorban, PAAIA Legislative Director 

June 15, 2010, San Francisco, CA – On June 13, 2010, PAAIA members and friends gathered to support the reelection of Congressman Michael M. Honda (D-CA). The event was organized by the Iranian American Political Action Committee (IAPAC), the connected PAC of PAAIA, and held at the home of Mr. Nariman Teymourian.

Congressman Honda has represented the 15th Congressional District of California since 2001. His district includes Silicon Valley, the leading region for the development of the technologies of tomorrow. Congressman Honda has been a public servant for decades and is lauded for his work on education, transportation, civil rights, national service, the environment, and high-tech issues. In 2007, he was named House Democratic Senior Whip by House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn.  Senior Whips are a select group of Members and Democratic Caucus opinion leaders tasked with strategic planning about how issues impact targeted Members or groups, and will help develop strategies to ensure legislative success.

Mr. Teymourian began the afternoon’s proceedings with an eloquent introduction, thanking Congressman Honda for his support of the Iranian American community and sponsorship of H.Res.267, a resolution in honor of the Iranian New Year.  “Thanks to Congressman Honda’s leadership, the Nowruz resolution passed the House of Representatives on March 15, 2010, marking the first time the U.S. Congress has officially recognized the Iranian New Year,” Mr. Teymourian stated.

In his speech, Congressman Honda explained that he is proud to represent a civically engaged Iranian American community and was happy to sponsor the Nowruz Resolution in order to educate his fellow lawmakers about the values underlying Nowruz. “It promotes compassion for our fellow human beings irrespective of ethnicity or religion,” said Congressman Honda. “Because of this, Nowruz maintains a unique capacity to unite people of many faiths.”

On the issues of political mobilization and the development of the identity of the Iranian American community, Congressman Honda emphasized the important role organizations like PAAIA play in educating policymakers and the public at large about the Iranian American community.  “Having a PAC that engages lawmakers and gives an accurate portrait of your community provides us with a deeper sense of appreciation for your history and culture,” Congressman Honda explained. “It allows us to make more informed decisions that are not based on fear or common stereotypes.”

Following his speech, Congressman Honda amiably and openly answered questions from the assembled guests.  He showed grace, warmth, and what it means to be an accessible leader

PAAIA would like to recognize the hard work and support of the host committee as well as the volunteers for making the event a resounding success, including, Nealan Afsari, Ramin Farjad, Niki Iravani, Nahal Iravani–Sani, Mehdi Maghsodnia & Parisa Golestani, Nema Milaninia, Mohsen Moazami, Shirin Rahimian, Lily Sarafan, Bijan Sartipi, and Nariman Teymourian.