Cyrus Habib Passes Nowruz Resolution in Washington State Senate
April 16, 2015, Washington, D.C. – On April 9th, the Washington State Senate passed a Nowruz resolution introduced by Iranian American State Senator Cyrus Habib (D-48th) in honor of the Iranian New Year.
The resolution underscores the spirit of Nowruz shared by millions across the globe, including the tens of thousands of Iranian American residents in Washington State. The legislation also acknowledges the lasting impact of the Iranian American community on the social and economic fabric of America.
“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,” reads the resolution. “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.”
Habib’s Nowruz resolution was adopted with the bipartisan support of Washington state senators, including Pamela Roach (R-31st), Karen Fraser (D-22nd) and Joe Fain (R-47th).
Habib is the first American of Iranian heritage to serve in a state legislature and is the highest ranking Iranian American in elected office. He was raised in Bellevue, Washington, and at the age of eight, he lost his eyesight to a rare form of childhood cancer. He attended Columbia University, Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, and Yale Law School, where he was editor of the law review. He currently practices law with the Seattle firm of Perkins Coie.
Click here to view the resolution.
