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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 463 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 463

    Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz, 
expressing appreciation to Iranian-Americans for their contributions to 
    society, and wishing Iranian-Americans and the people of Iran a 
                          prosperous new year.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

               March 22 (legislative day, March 19), 2010

  Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Webb, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. 
 Byrd, Mr. Burris, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Kaufman, Mr. McCain, 
     Mr. Merkley, Mr. Feingold, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Brown of Ohio, Ms. 
    Klobuchar, Mr. Levin, Mr. Casey, and Mr. Cardin) submitted the 
        following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
    Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz, 
expressing appreciation to Iranian-Americans for their contributions to 
    society, and wishing Iranian-Americans and the people of Iran a 
                          prosperous new year.

Whereas Nowruz marks the traditional Iranian New Year, which originated in 
        ancient Persia, and dates back more than 3,000 years;
Whereas Nowruz, meaning a ``New Day'', occurs on the vernal equinox and 
        celebrates the arrival of spring;
Whereas Nowruz symbolizes a time of renewal and community, harkens the departure 
        from the trials and tribulations of the previous year, and brings hope 
        for the New Year;
Whereas Nowruz is celebrated by nearly 300,000,000 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 the Balkan 
        regions;
Whereas Nowruz is celebrated by more than 1,000,000 Iranian-Americans of all 
        backgrounds, including those with Baha'i, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, 
        Zoroastrian, and non-religious backgrounds;
Whereas the people of Iran have a long history of celebrating Nowruz and are 
        congratulated for their bringing in of the New Year;
Whereas Nowruz embodies the tradition that each individual's thinking, speaking, 
        and conduct should always be virtuous and the ideal of compassion for 
        our fellow human beings regardless of ethnicity or religion, and 
        symbolizes a time of renewal and community;
Whereas the United States is a melting pot of ethnicities and religion and 
        Nowruz contributes to the richness of American culture and is consistent 
        with our founding principles of peace and prosperity for all;
Whereas in 539 B.C., Cyrus the Great established one of the earliest charters on 
        human rights, which abolished slavery and allowed for freedom of 
        religion, and this marker in Iranian history has had significant impact 
        on the respect for human rights that Iranian-Americans carry today;
Whereas Nowruz serves to remind the people of the United States of the many 
        noteworthy and lasting contributions of Iranian-Americans to the social 
        and economic fabric of society in the United States;
Whereas Iranian-Americans continue to make contributions in all sectors of 
        public life in the United States, including as government, military, and 
        law enforcement officials working to uphold the Constitution of the 
        United States and to protect all people in the United States;
Whereas Iranian-Americans are vibrant, peaceful, and law-abiding citizens, many 
        of whom are of the Baha'i, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Zoroastrian 
        faiths; and
Whereas the Iranian-American community continues to enrich the tapestry of the 
        diversity in the United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the cultural and historical significance of 
        Nowruz;
            (2) encourages the peaceful observance of the Nowruz 
        holiday in Iran, and strongly supports the right of all 
        Iranians to exercise freedom of assembly, freedom of 
        expression, and freedom of speech;
            (3) expresses its appreciation for the contributions of 
        Iranian-Americans to society in the United States in observance 
        of Nowruz; and
            (4) wishes Iranian-Americans and the people of Iran and all 
        those who observe this holiday a prosperous new year.
                                 <all>
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