February 22, 2010, Washington, D.C. –  Following a meeting with PAAIA on February 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, we are very pleased to report that Congressman Henry Waxman has announced his decision to cosponsor the Nowruz resolution (H.Res. 267). The resolution recognizes the cultural and historical significance of the Persian New Year and expresses appreciation to Iranian Americans for their contributions to U.S. society.

Congressman Waxman took time from his busy schedule to meet with Mahasti Afshar, PAAIA’s new executive director, Sharon Baradaran, board member, Nina Beizai, staff member, Dr. Shoreh Ershadi, a PAAIA Chapter leader, and Hormoz Saleh, a founding director of PAAIA. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce Congressman Waxman to PAAIA/LA, share with him issues of interest to the Iranian American community, and ask him to consider signing the Nowruz Resolution and supporting PAAIA’s congressional internship program. Waxman, who had visited Iran in 1975, expressed genuine interest in the Iranian American community and appreciation for their contributions to American society.

“Here in the United States, Nowruz serves to remind us of the many noteworthy and lasting contributions of Iranian Americans to the social and economic fabric of American society,” said Congressman Waxman.  “I am pleased to cosponsor H.Res. 267 and join Iranian Americans in my congressional district and others around the country and around the world in honoring this special occasion.”

Introduced by Congressman Honda on March 19, 2009, H.Res.267 was recently marked-up by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and is ready to be presented and voted on in the House of Representatives. If passed, it would be the first time that the U.S. Congress has officially recognized the Persian New Year.

PAAIA had earlier urged the introduction of the Nowruz resolution as a part of its broader efforts to foster greater understanding of Iranian culture and heritage and project an accurate image of the community that reflects our values and achievements. PAAIA is grateful to Congressman Waxman for agreeing to sign the Nowruz resolution on the eve of spring and a time of renewal, and looks forward to increased interaction between the Congressman and his Iranian American constituency.

Click here to take action on the Nowruz Resolution! If your Representative is already a cosponsor, take the time to thank him or her. If your member of Congress is not a cosponsor, tell them about the Persian New Year, and ask him or her to sign on.