bangaindigenous: Fwd: Urge the House Leadership to Present the Nowruz Resolution for a Vote

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Fwd: Urge the House Leadership to Present the Nowruz Resolution for a Vote

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: PAAIA <info@paaia.org>
Date: Wed, Mar 10, 2010 at 4:15 AM
Subject: Urge the House Leadership to Present the Nowruz Resolution for a Vote
To: palashbiswaskl@gmail.com

PAAIA: Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans

Urge the House Leadership to Present the Nowruz Resolution for a Vote

With the passage of H.Res. 267 by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on January 29th of this year, we are one step closer to having Nowruz officially recognized by the House of Representatives. For that to happen, the House leadership needs to place it on the legislative calendar so it can be voted on. You can help make this happen!

Please take a moment to contact Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and let him know how much the Nowruz resolution means to you!

At the urging of PAAIA, Congressman Michael Honda (CA-15th) introduced H.Res. 267 into the House of Representatives on March 19, 2009. The resolution recognizes the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz, expresses appreciation to Iranian Americans for their contributions to American society, and wishes Iranian Americans, the people of Iran, and all those who celebrate the holiday a prosperous new year.

If passed, it would be the first time that the U.S. Congress has officially recognized the Iranian New Year.

The Nowruz resolution is a part of PAAIA's broader efforts to foster greater understanding of Iranian culture and heritage as well as to project an accurate and positive image of the Iranian American community that reflects our true values and achievements. PAAIA has worked with Congressman Honda's office over this past year to promote the Nowruz resolution and gain co-sponsors. Iranian Americans around the country have also voiced their support for the Nowruz resolution directly to their member of Congress throughout the past year.

Click here to lean more about the Nowruz resolution.

PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THE MESSAGE BELOW INTO THE WEBFORM PROVIDED AT:
http://democraticleader.house.gov/email_and_rss/email_the_leader/
TO MAKE SURE MAJORITY LEADER HOYER HEARS YOUR VOICE!

Dear Majority Leader Hoyer:

I am writing as an American of Iranian descent to ask for your assistance in placing H.Res. 267, a resolution in honor of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, on the floor of the House of Representatives so that it may be voted on in time for the Nowruz holiday which starts on March 20th and lasts through April 1st.

Nowruz marks the traditional Iranian New Year and dates back more than 3,000 years. Nowruz, meaning "new day", symbolizes a time of renewal of nature and creation; reinforces family and community ties; harkens the departure from the trials and tribulations of the previous year, and brings hope for the New Year.

The Nowruz celebration is neither religious nor national in nature. Iranians of Baha'i, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Zoroastrian faiths celebrate it as a holiday. It is also celebrated throughout many territories that were part of, or influenced by, Persian culture, including Central Asia, East and South Asia, the Caucasus, the Crimea, and the Balkans.

Closer to home, this year like previous years, more than one million Iranian Americans of all backgrounds will be celebrating Nowruz. H.Res. 267 recognizes the cultural and historical significance of this great holiday, thanks Iranian Americans for their contributions to American society, and wishes Iranian Americans, the people of Iran, and all those who observe this holiday a prosperous New Year.

With the approval of H.Res. 267 by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the Nowruz Resolution is ready to be placed on the House floor so that it may be voted on. Please join Congressman Michael Honda and the 55 cosponsors in supporting H.Res. 267 by placing it on the House of Representatives' legislative calendar.