SENATE RULES COMMITTEE SR 22
Office of Senate Floor Analyses
(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478
THIRD READING
Bill No: SR 22
Author: Min (D)
Introduced: 3/17/21
Vote: Majority
SUBJECT: Nowrūz
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST: This resolution celebrates Saturday, March 20, 2021, as the beginning
of the Persian New Year and extends best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous
Nowrūz to all Californians.
ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:
1) Nowrūz (pronounced no-rooz) originated in ancient Persia more than 3,000
years ago and marks the traditional Persian New Year beginning on the vernal
equinox and celebrates the arrival of spring.
2) Nowrūz is a combination of two Persian words: the first, “now,” means new,
and the second, “ruz,” means day. Together they mean “new day,” which
commemorates the new year for many Persian and Central Asian communities
all over the world. It is celebrated on the exact day of the astronomical
Northward equinox, which occurs on March 20 or the following day where it is
observed.
3) The “new day” symbolizes a commitment to springtime renewal, peace, and
overall solidarity between generations, families, and communities.
4) Nowrūz’s most notable festivities include the creation of the Haft-Sin table,
which is an arrangement of seven symbolic items starting with “S” in Persian.
This table often includes sumac (crushed spice or berries), senjed (sweet dry
fruit of lotus trees), serkeh (vinegar), and seeb (apples), which each represent
various hopes for the new year, including health, wealth, and prosperity.
Additionally, a wisdom book is often included in the form of a Koran or Bible.
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These festivities last over 13 days and begin on the eve of the first Wednesday
of the year.
5) Nowrūz is celebrated and observed principally in Iran, the traditions of Nowrūz
are strong among people in Afghanistan, Iraq, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan,
Azerbaijan, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Canada, and the United States.
6) The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed International Nowrūz Day in
2010 at the enterprise of several countries that uphold this global tradition, and
the first global Nowrūz festival, held the same year, serves to remind us of the
many noteworthy and lasting contributions of Persian culture to the ever-
growing social and economic tapestry of our country. After thousands of years
in the making, Nowrūz remains beloved, universal, and deeply embedded in
Persian culture.
This resolution celebrates Saturday, March 20, 2021, as the beginning of the
Persian New Year and extends best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous Nowrūz
to all Californians.
Related/Prior Legislation
SR 76 (Pan, 2020) recognized Nowrūz, the Persian New Year celebration. The
resolution passed the Senate 39-0.
ACR 2 (Nazarian, Resolution Chapter 42, Statutes of 2019) recognized Nowrūz,
the Persian New Year celebration.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 3/24/21)
None received
OPPOSITION: (Verified 3/24/21)
None received
Prepared by: Jonas Austin / SFA / (916) 651-1520
3/24/21 15:56:02
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