Washington, DC; March 10, 2017 – Bipartisan members of the United States Congress and their staff joined Iranian Americans from across the country to celebrate Iranian New Year (Nowruz) and to express support for a free Iran. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) also sent New Year greetings to the Iranian people & those living abroad.
Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan’ message to Iranian American is delivered to the participants at Iranian New Year (Nowruz) reception, organized by Organization of Iranian American Communities-US (OIAC) on March 3, 2017.
Nowruz Reception on Capitol Hill, Foyer Hall, sponsored by Organization of Iranian American Communities-US (OIAC), March 9, 2017-Nowruz Mobarak.
In his letter read by the President of Iranian American Community of Wisconsin, Speaker Ryan said that he is looking forward to working with Iranian American community members, “to achieve a free Iran, and a safer, more prosperous future.”
Similarly, democratic leader Nancy Pelosi praised the Organization of Iranian American Communities’ (OIAC) members for advocating “democratic values.” “Respect for human rights, gender equality, religious and ethnic tolerance,” she added, “are goals that I am deeply committed to.” These values, Madam Pelosi noted, are the “driving force in effecting further change in Iran.”
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi sent a video message, congratulating the Nowruz to Iranian Americans and their representatives at the Congressional Nowruz celebration, sponsored by the Organization of Iranian American Communities-US (OIAC). The event was held at U.S. House of Representatives, Rayburn Foyer Hall on March 09, 2017.
Thirteen member of congress also appeared in person at this celebration. In his remarks, Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) expressed his best Nowruz wishes and called for the United States Government to designate Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen wished Iranians everywhere a happy Nowruz while also highlighting Iranian regime’s nefarious international role.
Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA) also expressed his New Year greetings and said Iran “should be a center of democracy, in which the people of Iran can control their own government.”
Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) also spoke at the event, praising Iranian American community members for “their fight for democracy in Iran.”
“I want to very much again thank you for this annual pilgrimage to Washington, DC”, noted Rep. Darryl Issa (R-CA) in his remarks, because it helps members understand what Iranian Americans want is “a free Iran.”
Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) also joined his Iranian American friends at their Nowruz celebration on Capitol Hill.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) congratulated Iranian Americans on the occasion of Nowruz, adding, “We are so grateful for those Iranians who believe in freedom.”
“I hope to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Iran that we can hopefully influence the government there to have a respect for human rights…and to stop exporting terrorism across the entire region”, noted Congressman Mike Coffman (R-CO).
Representatives Barbra Comstock (R-VA), Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Lloyd Doggett (R-TX), Eddie Bernice Johnston (D-TX), and Albio Sires (D-NJ) were other notable congressional members who participated in this year’s Nowruz celebration.
Iranian Americans at OIAC Nowruz Congressional Reception, March 09, 2017