Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz, expressing appreciation to Iranian-Americans for their contributions to society, and wishing Iranian-Americans and the people of Iran a prosperous new year.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 267 ``Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz, expressing appreciation to Iranian-Americans for their contributions to society, and wishing the Iranian-Americans and the people of Iran a prosperous new year.''

As a cosponsor of this resolution, I am proud to recognize the contributions of Iranian Americans on their day of celebration. Nowruz is celebrated by nearly 300 million Iranians 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 Regions. Nowruz, which means new day, is celebrated on 21 March, the day of the vernal equinox. Nowruz is celebrated by more than 1,000,000 Iranian-Americans of all backgrounds, including those with Baha'i, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Zoroastrian, and non-religious backgrounds. The people of Iran have a long history of celebrating Nowruz--a holiday that 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 symbolizes a time of renewal and community.

This resolution not only reminds us all of the contributions made by our Iranian constituents, but also of the trying times faced by Iranians in Iran and in the Iranian diaspora. During this time of renewal, my thoughts are with the residents of Camp Ashraf and their families--some of whom reside in my district.

Late last year, three months after U.S. forces turned over control of Camp Ashraf, Iraqi security forces violated the human rights of the People's Mujahideen of Iran (PMOI). Camp Ashraf detains over 3,400 exiled Iranian political dissidents, who are members of the PMOI, including over 1,000 women. The PMOI opposes the current Iranian regime, and for their political beliefs they have been exiled from Iran and sequestered in Camp Ashraf. Several women detained at Camp Ashraf have reported acts of intimidation and threats of physical and sexual violence by members of the Iraqi security forces.

On July 28, 2009, Iraqi security forces conducted a raid on the detainees at Camp Ashraf. The raid occurred fewer than three months after the U.S. passed control of Camp Ashraf to the government of Iraq. The raid began on Tuesday, July 28th when Iraqi armored vehicles began attacks against the Iranian prisoners. The attacks continued for two

full days and resulted in the death of 11 exiles and the injury of over 400 more. As a result of the raid on Camp Ashraf, 36 men were arrested under allegations of violent behavior. The 36 arrested Camp Ashraf residents have since been freed, but the United States has a continuing interest in ensuring that the events of July 28th never occur again.

The Iraqi government's treatment of the camp's residents sets a dangerous precedent for future treatment of minority groups. In recent years, there have been alarming numbers of religiously motivated killings, abductions, beatings, rapes, threats, intimidation, forced conversions, marriages, and displacement from homes and businesses, and attacks on religious leaders, pilgrims, and holy sites, in Iraq, with the smallest religious minorities in Iraq having been among the most vulnerable, although Iraqis from many religious communities, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, have suffered in this violence. In summary, members of small religious minority communities in Iraq do not have militia or tribal structures to defend them, do not receive adequate official protection, and are legally, politically, and economically marginalized.

Madam Speaker, as 300 million people worldwide celebrate the start of a new year, it is my hope that Iranians around the world find peace and prosperity.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my good friend and colleague, Mr. Lynch from Massachusetts, for yielding me time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my resolution, H. Res. 267, of the Iranian American community. Last year I introduced this resolution, which honors the Iranian New Year or Nowruz.

This resolution recognizes the cultural and historic significance of Nowruz, expresses appreciation for the contributions of Iranian Americans to society, and wishes Iranian Americans and the people of Iran a prosperous new year.

Nowruz will occur on March 21st of this year, and translates as ``A New Day'' or the first day of spring. This ancient holiday is rooted back to the Zoroastrian ancestors of modern Iran, and is celebrated over the first 13 days of spring.

Iranian American constituents of mine tell me it is their favorite time of the year, when families get together, picnic at a park, and celebrate the coming of spring and the new year. Many Iranian Americans also take the time to visit friends and contribute to local charities during this holiday.

Nowruz is not just celebrated by Iranians or Iranian Americans though. It is celebrated by over 300 million people across this world, and over one million Iranian Americans in our country. That is what intrigues me about this holiday. Nowruz festivities bring people together from all walks of life, not just Iranians, to join and celebrate as a community.

This ancient holiday has survived centuries of religious differences and political rivalries, and is celebrated by a diverse group of people from different religious and ethnic backgrounds.

Iranian Americans have made noteworthy and lasting contributions in all sectors of American public life, including as government, military, law enforcement officials, and in the fields of medicine, engineering and business.

I am proud to represent the civically engaged Iranian American community in my Silicon Valley district who continue to teach all of us about their rich cultural history. I've had the opportunity to have meaningful dialogues with them over the years and witness firsthand their contributions to our society.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to stand on the House floor today to recognize and honor the exceptional ways in which the Iranian American community enriches our Nation's diversity. I wish the Iranian American community, and all those who celebrate Nowruz, a prosperous new year.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed the following recorded votes on the House floor the week of Monday, March 15, 2010.

For Monday, March 15, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 112 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1145), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 113 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1170), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 114 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1163), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 115 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 267).

For Tuesday, March 16, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 116 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 4628), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 117 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 311), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 118 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 605), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 119 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1128).

For Wednesday, March 17, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 120 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1089), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 121 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1167), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 122 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1184), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 123 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1141), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 124 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to S. 1147), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 125 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3954), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 126 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 946), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 127 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 4825).

For Thursday, March 18, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 131 (on motion to refer H. Res. 1193, raising a question of the privileges of the House), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 132 (on motion to table H. Res. 1193, raising a question of the privileges of the House), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 133 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3542), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 134 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3509), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 135 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1173).

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 267 and join my colleague from California (Mr. Honda) in expressing appreciation to Iranian Americans for their contributions to society and wishing the people of Iran a prosperous new year.

Nowruz, meaning ``new day,'' is a 3,000-year-old tradition that marks the beginning of spring and is celebrated by over 300 million people worldwide. Originated in ancient Persia, Nowruz is not limited to a specific ethnicity, religion, or creed. To commemorate the ideals and principles of Nowruz, families decorate a special table called the Haft Seen or Seven S's with items that symbolize significant characteristics associated with Nowruz such as love, life, prosperity, beauty, health, happiness, honesty, and faith.

In congratulating Iranian Americans and Iranians throughout the world on this momentous holiday, I think it is important to acknowledge the many significant contributions of these fellow citizens and neighbors to the framework of our great Nation. Ostad Elahi, an Iranian philosopher, believes that it is everyone's duty to be useful in society and placed such importance on service to society that he considered it to be the true meaning of piety and altruism. Iranian Americans continue to hold true to this principle as evidenced by their many noteworthy contributions to this Nation. From science and technology to commerce and trade; academia and medicine to music and the arts, Iranian Americans continue to enrich the social and economic fabric of American society.

Madam Speaker, I hope that our colleagues will join in recognizing this holiday by strengthening the ties of mutual respect with one another while advancing a harmonious exchange of ideals with our neighbors. We should mark the coming year with a revival of our shared values, principles, and ethics in the spirit of Nowruz.

I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 267, which recognizes the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz.

As an original cosponsor of H. Res. 267, I am pleased that we are using this occasion to reflect on the many contributions Iranian Americans have made to our society. I am proud of the ethnically diverse district that I represent and greatly appreciate all that Iranian Americans have added to the rich and varied culture of New York City.

Nowruz marks the traditional Iranian New Year and dates back more than 3,000 years. Nowruz, literally meaning ``new day,'' celebrates the arrival of spring and occurs on the vernal equinox which this year will happen on Saturday, March 20th.

Through the ages Nowruz has provided the occasion for renewal and rejuvenation, displaying new resolve in settling old issues, and making new beginnings. Nowruz celebrates the core of our common humanity and our relation to Mother Nature. Although colored with vestiges of Iran's Mazdian and Zoroastrian past, Nowruz celebration is neither religious nor national in nature, nor is it an ethnic celebration. Muslim, Jewish, Zoroastrian, Baha'i, and Christian Iranians as well as many other peoples celebrate Nowruz with the same enthusiasm and sense of belonging.

Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz and in its observance, I want to wish Iranian Americans and all those who observe this holiday a happy and prosperous new year.

I would like to thank Representative Honda for introducing this important resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support it.