BILL ANALYSIS Ó ----------------------------------------------------------------- |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | ACR 2| |Office of Senate Floor Analyses | | |(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | | |327-4478 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- THIRD READING Bill No: ACR 2 Author: Nazarian (D), et al. Amended: 3/16/15 in Assembly Vote: 21 ASSEMBLY FLOOR: Read and adopted, 3/16/15 SUBJECT: Persian New Year SOURCE: Author DIGEST: This resolution recognizes the Persian New Year celebration beginning on March 21, 2015. ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings: 1.Nowrkz, meaning the "New Day," marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Persian calendar; and is celebrated on the day of the astronomical Northward equinox, which usually occurs on March 20 or the following day depending on where it is observed. 2.The Persian New Year is celebrated and observed principally in Iran and has spread to other parts of the world, including parts of Central Asia, the Caucasus, Northwestern China, the Crimea, and some groups in the Balkans; and, the Canadian Parliament, by unanimous consent, passed a bill on March 30, 2009, to add Nowrkz to the national calendar of Canada. 3.The 2010 United States Census has stated that the Iranian ACR 2 Page 2 population in California has grown to over 200,000 residents with some in the Iranian community believing the number may be four times that amount. The largest community of Iranian decent in the United States resides in the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills area of California. 4.For the people celebrating Nowrkz, it is a time to appreciate their rich heritage and to move forward with hope for a prosperous new year ahead filled with health, wealth, love, joy, and success. This resolution recognizes the Persian New Year celebration beginning on March 21, 2015. Comments According to the author for the people celebrating Nowruz, it is a time to appreciate their heritage. However, Nowruz invites everyone to contemplate natures power of renewal and rejuvenation. Prior Legislation ACR 91 (Nazarian, Resolution Chapter 22, Statutes of 2014) recognized the Persian New Year celebration beginning on March 20, 2014. FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.:NoLocal: No SUPPORT: (Verified3/24/15) None received OPPOSITION: (Verified3/24/15) None received ACR 2 Page 3 Prepared by:Jonas Austin / SFA / (916) 651-1520 3/25/15 17:37:44 **** END ****