PAAIA Hosts Annual Nowruz Reception on Capitol Hill
March 23, 2016, Washington, D.C. – On March 16, 2016, the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) hosted its annual Nowruz reception for members of Congress and their staff on Capitol Hill. A bipartisan group of eighteen members of Congress served as honorary co-hosts of the reception, which included a beautiful Haftseen table. In attendance were six members of Congress, including House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), as well as more than two hundred congressional staff and special guests.
PAAIA’s annual Nowruz reception on Capitol Hill is part of its broader effort to celebrate and foster greater understanding of Iranian culture, and to project an accurate and positive image of the Iranian American community. Participants in attendance had an opportunity to learn about Nowruz and Persian culture and heritage.
The evening’s speakers highlighted the contributions Iranian Americans make every day to the U.S. and to their communities. “We value our motto E Pluribus Unum or ‘from many one’” explained House Democratic Leader Pelosi. “We are so greatly enriched by the contributions of so many Iranian Americans in our country.”
PAAIA would like to extend a special thanks to the evening’s guest of honor, Afshin Molavi, author and expert on global geo-political risk and geo-economics, who offered thoughtful and entertaining remarks on the importance of the Iranian American community and of Persian heritage.
The reception continued until late in the evening. Guests enjoyed Persian cuisine, and also had the opportunity to taste Persian deserts adjacent the traditional Haftseen table. PAAIA would like to thank the many volunteers who made the evening a success, as well as all the members of Congress and their staffs who joined us for this special event.
PAAIA’s annual Nowruz receptions are hosted in conjunction with Congressman Michael M. Honda (D-CA) and Congressman Randy J. Forbes (R-VA). This year’s co-hosts included: Congressman Justin Amash (R-MI), Congressman Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Congressman Andre Carson (D-IN), Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK), Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA), Congressman Gerald Connolly (D-VA), Congressman Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Congresswoman Donna Edwards (D-MD), Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Congresswoman Janice Hahn (D-CA), Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA), Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Congressman John Mica (R-FL), Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA), and Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA).
PAAIA would also like to thank the many volunteers who made the evening a success, as well as all the members of Congress and their staff who joined us for this special event.
For pictures of this event, visit our Nowruz 2016 album on Facebook
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