HB 3768
Designates March 21 of each year as Nowruz Day.
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
12%
Oppose
88%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill designates March 21st of each year as Nowruz Day in Oregon. Nowruz is a Persian New Year celebration that symbolizes renewal, peace, and solidarity, rooted in Zoroastrian traditions and celebrated by diverse communities worldwide. The bill also declares an emergency, allowing it to take effect immediately upon passage.
Key provisions
- Designates March 21st annually as Nowruz Day.
- Recognizes Nowruz as a celebration of renewal and new beginnings.
- Acknowledges the historical and cultural significance of Nowruz.
- Refers to the Haft-seen table and its symbolic items.
- Recognizes Nowruz’s global spread and diverse communities of celebration.
- Notes the United Nations’ designation of International Nowruz Day.
Who is affected
- Oregon residents
- Persian and Iranian communities
- Immigrant communities
- Individuals interested in cultural celebrations
Notable changes
- Establishes a specific day for Nowruz observance in Oregon.
- Provides official recognition of Nowruz’s cultural importance.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsors
Cosponsors
Hoa Nguyen
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of recognizing Nowruz Day in Oregon argue that acknowledging the holiday would have numerous benefits for the community. By designating March 21st as a state holiday, proponents believe it could increase awareness about Persian culture, promote social inclusion, and foster economic growth through marketing opportunities for Oregon's agricultural industry and arts-related small businesses. Additionally, recognizing Nowruz Day is seen as an opportunity to celebrate diversity, peace, and connection with nature, values that are deeply rooted in the secular tradition of Nowruz observance globally.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of the proposed legislation express concerns about its impact on Oregon's operations, citing waste of state resources and lack of representation for citizens. They argue that the bill does not unify Oregonians due to existing divisions and may even create discord among communities. Some believe the proposal to add new holidays is unnecessary and would increase the number of holidays beyond what is currently celebrated in the US. Others express opposition to celebrating Iranian holidays, Nowruz Day, or any holiday that promotes a specific religion or ideology, citing concerns about church-state separation, personal freedoms, and the potential for social change without genuine repair. Many also question the legitimacy of the bill's emergency clause and its potential impact on Native American communities, arguing that it prioritizes 'social repair' over actual repair. Ultimately, opponents believe the bill does not address Oregon's needs and would be a waste of time, money, and resources.