119-hres243

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 243 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 243

 Expressing support for designating Iranian American Heritage Month.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 March 24, 2025

 Ms. Ansari (for herself, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Min, Ms. Kamlager-Dove, Ms. 
 Lofgren, Mrs. McBath, Mr. Costa, and Mr. Carson) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight 
 and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Expressing support for designating Iranian American Heritage Month.

Whereas the United States Census Bureau estimates there to be over 540,000 
 individuals of Iranian descent residing in the United States;
Whereas the United States is home to the largest diaspora community of Iranian 
 Americans in the world, with the largest hub located in Los Angeles, 
 California;
Whereas Iranian Americans have established deep roots in communities across the 
 United States, from Los Angeles, to Phoenix, to New York, and enriched 
 our social, economic, political, and cultural tapestry;
Whereas the Iranian New Year ``Nowruz'', which translates to ``new day'', is 
 celebrated on the Spring Equinox by thousands of Americans and 
 symbolizes renewal, hope, and harmony with nature;
Whereas Iranian Americans have made significant contributions to the United 
 States in fields such as science, medicine, technology, business, 
 academia, public service, and the arts;
Whereas two members of the Iranian-American community currently serve in the 
 United States Congress;
Whereas a 2010 study by the Small Business Administration found that Iranian 
 Americans are among the top 20 immigrant groups with the highest rate of 
 business ownership, owning over 33,000 businesses and generating 
 billions in net income;
Whereas the Iranian people have contributed to modern civilization for 
 millennia, bringing forth the Cyrus Cylinder as the world's first human 
 rights document and the Bani Adam poem by Sa'adi Shirazi describing all 
 humans as part of one equal body which is inscribed on the entrance to 
 the United Nations;
Whereas Iranian Americans have served in senior capacities in both Republican 
 and Democratic administrations, and have held elected positions in State 
 and local governments across the United States;
Whereas Iranian Americans have and continue to serve with distinction in the 
 United States military and law enforcement, upholding the Constitution 
 and safeguarding national security;
Whereas the Iranian American Contributions Project estimates that Iranian-
 American publications have been cited over 2,000,000 times, and Iranian-
 American inventors have filed for over 4,000 patents;
Whereas the Iranian-American community is religiously diverse, including Jewish, 
 Muslim, Christian, Zoroastrian, and other faiths, contributing to the 
 rich cultural mosaic of the United States;
Whereas many Iranian Americans have overcome significant hardships as immigrants 
 and refugees fleeing the brutal and dictatorial Islamic Republic;
Whereas the Iranian-American community has turned adversity into action, with 
 thousands taking part in the peaceful ``Woman, Life, Freedom'' protests 
 across the United States to demand an end to the Islamic Republic's 
 violence, including against Iranian women and ethnic minorities and 
 repression of the Iranian people;
Whereas, on January 26, 2023, the United States House of Representatives passed 
 House Concurrent Resolution 7, commending the bravery, courage, and 
 resolve of the Iranian people; and
Whereas the Iranian-American community is an integral part of American society, 
 and their contributions, culture, and spirit have made our Nation a 
 better place: Now, therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

    (1) supports the designation of Iranian American Heritage 
 Month;

    (2) acknowledges the significant contributions Iranian 
 Americans have made to our Nation's culture, economy, and 
 developments in the fields of science, medicine, and 
 technology;

    (3) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
 Iranian American Heritage Month with appropriate programs, 
 activities, and celebrations, such as the ``Nowruz'' new year 
 celebration; and

    (4) continues to stand with Iranian Americans and the 
 Iranian people in their fight for a free and democratic Iran.
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