Rep. Michael Honda Honors Nowruz in Legislation Introduced This Week
Rep. Michael Honda Honors Nowruz in Legislation Introduced This Week
March 19, 2009
For Immediate Release
March 18, 2009
Contact: Michael Shank: 202.225.3327
michael.shank@mail.house.gov
Rep. Michael Honda Honors Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, in Legislation Introduced This Week
WASHINGTON D.C. – This week, Rep. Michael Honda (CA-15) introduces legislation in Congress to honor Nowruz, a holiday which marks the traditional Iranian New Year and celebrates the arrival of spring. The resolution recognizes the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz, expresses appreciation to Iranian Americans for their contributions to society and wishes Iranian Americans and the people of Iran a prosperous new year.
“The Iranian-American community in my 15th district of California,” noted Rep. Honda, “and throughout the US, continues to enrich the diverse tapestry of this great nation. I’m proud to represent a civically engaged Iranian American community, which is actively invested in bettering California’s 15th district. I’m thankful for the contributions Iranian Americans make 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 protect all Americans.”
The resolution, which was made possible through the strong outreach and support of the Public Affairs Alliance for Iranian Americans and the National Iranian American Council, is the first of its kind in Congress.
Rep. Honda commented further on the values underlying Nowruz saying, “Nowruz embodies the principle that each individual’s thinking, speaking, and conduct should always be virtuous. It promotes compassion for our fellow human beings irrespective of ethnicity or religion. Because of this, Nowruz maintains a unique capacity to unite people of many faiths.”
Throughout the world, Nowruz is celebrated by over 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. In the US, Nowruz is celebrated by more than one million Iranian Americans of all backgrounds, including those with Baha’i, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Zoroastrian, and non-religious backgrounds.
Nowruz serves to remind the nation of the many noteworthy and lasting contributions of Iranian Americans to the social and economic fabric of American society.
