IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 215 

Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 9, 2023 

Ms. LOFGREN (for herself, Mrs. BICE, Mr. CONNOLLY, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. 

HIMES, Mr. SHERMAN, Mr. KHANNA, Mr. RASKIN, Mr. COSTA, Mrs. LEE

of Nevada, Mr. PETERS, Ms. PORTER, Mr. TRONE, Mr. CORREA, Ms. 

MCCOLLUM, Ms. SALAZAR, Mr. TORRES of New York, Mr. LIEU, and Mr. 

MULLIN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of 

Nowruz. 

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, it harkens the departure from the trials and tribulations of the previous year, and it brings hope for the 

new year; 


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•HRES 215 IH 

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, the Caucasus, Crimea, and the Balkan 

region; 

Whereas Nowruz is celebrated by Iranian Americans of all 

backgrounds, including those with Baha’i, Christian, 

Jewish, Muslim, Zoroastrian, and nonreligious backgrounds; 

Whereas Nowruz serves to remind the United States of the 

many lasting contributions of the Persian civilization to 

the world and the noteworthy impact 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 American public life, 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 maintain strong ties to the people of Iran and desire to see a democratic Iran that respects human rights; 

Whereas Congress supports the Iranian people’s right to freedom of expression and speech; 

Whereas, since September of 2022, following the death of 

Mahsa Amini in state custody of the Iranian morality police for purportedly wearing a hijab improperly, the Iranian people have been protesting against the Iranian regime’s gross human rights violations and in support of 

‘‘Women, Life, Freedom’’; and 


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•HRES 215 IH 

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 connects the Persian New Year to the values of human 

rights: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the cultural and historical signifi3 cance of Nowruz; 

4 (2) expresses its appreciation for the contribu5 tions of Iranian Americans to society in the United 

6 States in observance of Nowruz; 

7 (3) recognizes the hopes and aspirations of all 

8 people, including the people of Iran, for human 

9 rights, religious tolerance, and freedom as embodied 

10 in the spirit of Nowruz; 

11 (4) commends the observance of the Nowruz 

12 holiday in both the United States and Iran, and 

13 strongly supports the right of all Iranians to exercise 

14 freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, and 

15 freedom of speech; and 

16 (5) wishes Iranian Americans and the people of 

17 Iran and all those who observe this holiday a pros18 perous new year. 

Æ 


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