IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 130 

Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz and acknowledging the Cyrus Cylinder as a symbol of respect for human rights 

and religious tolerance. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 20, 2013 

Mr. WAXMAN (for himself, Mr. ROSKAM, Mr. CA ́RDENAS, Mr. HONDA, Mr. 

MICA, Ms. SPEIER, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. BENTIVOLIO, Mr. CONNOLLY, Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York, Mr. SHERMAN, Ms. 

CLARKE, and Ms. EDWARDS) submitted the following resolution; which 

was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of 

Nowruz and acknowledging the Cyrus Cylinder as a symbol of respect for human rights and religious tolerance. 

Whereas Nowruz marks the traditional Iranian New Year, 

which originated in ancient Persia, and dates back more 

than 3,000 years; 

Whereas Nowruz occurs on the vernal equinox and celebrates 

the arrival of spring; 

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-AmeriVerDate Mar 14 2013 01:46 Mar 21, 2013 Jkt 029200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR130.IH HR130

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•HRES 130 IH 

cans to the social and economic fabric of society in the 

United States; 

Whereas in 539 B.C.E., the Cyrus Cylinder, an ancient clay 

cylinder inscribed with a declaration in Babylonian cuneiform in the name of Cyrus, which was created following 

the Persian conquest of Babylon has, over the centuries, 

come to symbolize mankind’s first document on human 

rights; 

Whereas Cyrus II (also known as Cyrus the Great) of Persia 

is recognized for his achievements in human rights, politics, and religious tolerance, as well as his influence on 

future Eastern and Western civilizations; 

Whereas the policies of Cyrus toward minority religions are 

further documented in Babylonian texts and Jewish 

sources, and historical accounts; 

Whereas the Cyrus Cylinder has had significant impact on 

the respect for human rights that Iranian Americans believe in today; 

Whereas an exhibition will tour in the United States to celebrate the Cyrus Cylinder as a symbol of tolerance and respect for different peoples and different faiths; 

Whereas the Cyrus Cylinder exhibition will take place in 

Washington, DC, Houston, Texas, New York, New York, 

San Francisco, California, and Los Angeles, California; 

Whereas the launch of the Cyrus Cylinder exhibition coincides 

with the Nowruz holiday and connects the Persian New 

Year to the values of human rights; and 

Whereas the Cyrus Cylinder symbolizes the universal hopes 

and aspirations of all people for human rights and religious tolerance: Now, therefore, be it 


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•HRES 130 IH 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

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

4 (2) recognizes the hopes and aspirations of all 

5 people, including the people of Iran for human 

6 rights and religious tolerance as embodied by the 

7 Cyrus Cylinder; and 

8 (3) recognizes the tour of the Cyrus Cylinder 

9 throughout the United States. 

Æ 


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