Bill Text: CA ACR2 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Persian New Year.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 56-18-1)

Status: (Passed) 2019-04-29 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 42, Statutes of 2019. [ACR2 Detail]

Download: California-2019-ACR2-Introduced.html


CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 2


Introduced by Assembly Member Nazarian
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Bonta, Chau, Chiu, Gloria, Low, and Ting)

December 03, 2018


Relative to the Persian New Year.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


ACR 2, as introduced, Nazarian. Persian New Year.
This measure would recognize Nowrūz, the Persian New Year celebration.
Fiscal Committee: NO  

WHEREAS, Nowrūz, meaning the “New Day,” is the name of the New Year in the Persian calendar; and
WHEREAS, Nowrūz marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Persian calendar. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical northward equinox, which usually occurs on March 20 or the following day depending on where it is observed; and
WHEREAS, In Persian mythology, King Jamshid is credited with the founding of Nowrūz, while others suggest that it was founded by Zoroaster himself, although there is no clear date of its origin. Celebrating the vernal equinox may also have been an old Babylonian tradition known before 2340 B.C.; and
WHEREAS, While Nowrūz is celebrated and observed principally in Iran, it has spread to other parts of the world, including parts of Central Asia, the Caucasus, northwestern China, the Crimea, and some groups in the Balkans. In Iran, Nowrūz is an official holiday lasting for 13 days, during which most national functions, including schools, are closed and festivities take place. Also, the Canadian Parliament, by unanimous consent, passed a bill on March 30, 2009, to add Nowrūz to the national calendar of Canada; and
WHEREAS, The most important activity in the celebration of Nowrūz is setting the “haft-seen table,” which literally means a table of seven items that start with the letter “s.” The table often includes items such as sumac (crushed spice of berries), senjed (sweet dry fruit of a lotus tree), serkeh (vinegar), and seeb (apples); and
WHEREAS, Nowrūz invites us to contemplate nature’s power of renewal and rejuvenation, to look more deeply, not just to the green world outside, but at our human nature as well; and
WHEREAS, For the people celebrating Nowrūz, it is a time to appreciate their rich heritage and to move forward with hope for a prosperous new year ahead filled with health, wealth, love, joy, and success; and
WHEREAS, According to the 2000 United States Census, the largest community of Iranian descent in the United States resides in California, concentrated in the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills areas. The number of people of Iranian descent in these areas is greater than the Iranian populations in the next 20 states combined; and
WHEREAS, The Iranian population in California has grown to over 200,000 residents, according to the 2010 United States Census. However, Iranian organizations and the Iranian community believe the correct number may be four times that amount; and
WHEREAS, The Small Business Administration conducted a study in 2008 that found that Iranian immigrants were among the top 20 immigrant groups with the highest rate of business ownership, contributing substantially to the national economy; and
WHEREAS, Iranian Americans have founded and served in senior leadership positions of many major American companies; and
WHEREAS, The Los Angeles City Council designated the intersection of Westwood Boulevard and Wilkins Avenue in West Los Angeles as “Persian Square.” The first Persian business in the city opened in 1974 on the corner of Westwood Boulevard and Wilkins Avenue. Since then there has been an increase of Persian businesses and residents in the area. Many of the businesses on Westwood Boulevard, between Wilshire Boulevard and Ohio Avenue, are owned and operated by people of Persian cultural identity; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature joins the Persian and other communities throughout the state in celebrating March 21, 2019, as the beginning of the Persian New Year and extends best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous Nowrūz to all Californians; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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