IV 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 156 
Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 18, 2015 
Mr. HONDA (for himself, Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York, Mr. CON-
NOLLY, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Ms. EDWARDS, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. 
PETERS, Ms. JACKSON LEE, Mr. TED LIEU of California, Mrs. WATSON 
COLEMAN, Mr. MICA, Mr. SMITH of Washington, Mr. LOWENTHAL, and 
Ms. CHU of California) submitted the following resolution; which was re-
ferred 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 commu-
nity, it harkens the departure from the trials and tribu-
lations of the previous year and brings hope for the New 
Year; 
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•HRES 156 IH 
Whereas Nowruz is celebrated by nearly 300,000,000 Ira-
nians and other peoples all over the world, including in 
the United States, Iran, and other countries in Central 
Asia, South Asia, Caucasus, Crimea, and Balkan Re-
gions; 
Whereas Nowruz is celebrated by Iranian-Americans of all 
backgrounds, including those with Baha’i, Christian, 
Jewish, Muslim, Zoroastrian, and nonreligious back-
grounds; 
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-Ameri-
cans 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 govern-
ment, military, and law enforcement officials working to 
uphold the Constitution of the United States and to pro-
tect all people in the United States; 
Whereas Iranian-Americans maintain strong ties to the peo-
ple of Iran and desire to see a democratic Iran that re-
spects human rights; and 
Whereas Nowruz embodies the tradition that each individ-
ual’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 con-
nects the Persian New Year to the values of human 
rights: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes the cultural and historical signifi-
cance of Nowruz; 
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(2) expresses its appreciation for the contribu-
tions of Iranian-Americans to society in the United 
States in observance of Nowruz; 
(3) recognizes the hopes and aspirations of all 
people, including the people of Iran for human 
rights and religious tolerance as embodied in the 
spirit of Nowruz; 
(4) commends the observance of the Nowruz 
holiday in both the United States and Iran, and 
strongly supports the right of all Iranians to exercise 
freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, and 
freedom of speech; and 
(5) wishes Iranian-Americans and the people of 
Iran and all those who observe this holiday a pros-
perous new year. 
Æ 
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