Virginia Governor Declares March as 'Iranian Heritage Month'; Glenn Youngkin: Persian Civilization is One of the Oldest Civilizations on Earth

Glenn Youngkin, the Republican governor of Virginia, has officially declared March as Iranian Heritage Month, exercising the powers granted to him by the Virginia Constitution. Youngkin, who has been in office since the winter of 2021, made this decision in light of the presence of over 20,000 successful Iranians in Virginia. In his statement, the governor highlighted the ancient Persian civilization as one of the oldest in the world and noted the celebration of Nowruz – the festival marking the beginning of spring and harmony between nature and life – occurring in March (from March 1 to April 1). Among the more than 1.5 million Iranians residing in the United States, Virginia has the fourth largest population of Iranians. Nearly half of Iranian-Americans live in California, which has the largest Iranian population in the U.S., followed by Texas, New York, and Virginia. Iranians are among the most educated immigrant groups and are very successful in both public and private sectors. Although the largest wave of Iranians immigrated to the United States during and after the 1979 Revolution, the history of Iranians in America dates back 150 years before the country's independence. The first Iranian to immigrate to America was an Armenian-Iranian named Martin Armenian, who arrived in 1618 when America was just a colony. The text of Glenn Youngkin's statement reads: 'Iranian Heritage Month. Considering that the Persian civilization, the largest ethnic group in Iran, is one of the oldest civilizations on Earth with a history of over five thousand years; and considering that the state of Virginia is home to nearly 20,000 Iranians, constituting the fourth largest Iranian population in the United States; and since Iranians contribute to Virginia's economic and commercial landscape; and taking into account that Iranians, as educated, successful, and respected members of society, hold the highest percentage of professional and managerial jobs among ethnic groups; and noting that a study by the Small Business Administration shows that Iranian immigrants are among the top 20 immigrant groups with the highest business ownership rates, with their business ownership in the U.S. economy exceeding 21%; and considering that Iranian Americans, as business owners, doctors, lawyers, engineers, and educators, support U.S. infrastructure with a net income of nearly $3 billion a year; and recognizing that many Iranians, as immigrants and refugees, have stories of hardship and resilience, enduring dictatorship and religious persecution in their homeland; and acknowledging that Iranian Americans have turned hardship into success in their new home, enriching and stabilizing our great country to make it a better place than they found it and contributing to the spirit of Virginia; and considering that in March, Iranians celebrate Nowruz – this Iranian heritage – marking the new year, the beginning of spring, and the celebration of harmony between nature and life; and encouraging citizens to participate in activities designed to recognize, understand, and appreciate the contributions of Iranian Americans; therefore, I, Glenn Youngkin, officially recognize March 2024 as Iranian Heritage Month in Virginia and call upon all our citizens to honor it.'