WHEREAS, The spring equinox is celebrated as Nowruz, the Persian New Year, a celebration which originated in ancient Persia more than 3,000 years ago, and which was celebrated this year on March 21st; and

WHEREAS, Nowruz is celebrated by nearly 300 million people of different faiths and diverse communities across the globe, and by more than 1,000,000 Iranian-Americans, including tens of thousands in Washington State and including those with Bahá'í, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Zoroastrian, and nonreligious backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, The United States is a melting pot of ethnicities and religions, and Nowruz contributes to the richness of American culture and is consistent with our founding principles of peace and prosperity for all; and

WHEREAS, Iranian-Americans have made and continue to make noteworthy and lasting contributions to the social and economic fabric of society in the United States, and Nowruz presents a time to recognize those contributions; and

WHEREAS, Iranian-Americans continue to make contributions in all sectors of public life in the United States, including as government, military, and law enforcement officials working to uphold the Constitution of the United States and to protect all people in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Nowruz means "New Day," and represents an opportunity for renewal and reaffirmation of our commitment to each other and to our shared health, success, and happiness; and

WHEREAS, Nowruz is a time for all of us to come together and celebrate the values of virtuous behavior and compassion for our fellow human beings regardless of religion or ethnicity;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate celebrate the honored holiday of Nowruz, recognize the historical and cultural significance thereof, and wish a happy and prosperous new year to all.