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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING THE CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ASSYRIAN NEW YEAR
WHEREAS, the day of April 1 annually is celebrated as the Assyrian New Year, also known as Kha b'Nissan or Akitu. The Assyrian New Year is not only the first day of the new year, but also marks the start of spring and serves as a symbol of revival; and
WHEREAS, according to the Assyrian Policy Institute, more than 600,000 Assyrian-Americans live in the United States. Illinois is home to more than 80,000 Assyrian-Americans, the vast majority of whom live in Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Assyrians are a transnational ethnic group indigenous to parts of northern Iraq, northwestern Iran, southeastern Turkey, and northeast Syria. They form a distinctive community, united through ethnicity, language, and a culture that constitutes one of the oldest continuous traditions in the world. In their various countries of origin, the governing authorities historically infringed on the cultural and linguistic rights of Assyrians and prohibited public celebrations of the Assyrian New Year; and
WHEREAS, Assyrians began emigrating to Illinois in the late 1800s. The earliest immigrants settled in the River North area. Their population later moved north, first to Lincoln Park and Lake View and later to Uptown and Edgewater. Migration and resettlement of Assyrians from Iraq and Syria intensified in recent years due to the conflict and sectarian violence targeting Assyrians culminating with the rise of ISIS in 2014; and
WHEREAS, the Assyrian New Year is an appropriate time to acknowledge the role Assyrian-Americans have played in our communities. Many serve in local elected offices, including Hon. Tony Kalogerakos, Trustee of the Village of Golf; Hon. Atour Sargon, Trustee of the Village of Lincolnwood; Shamoon Ebrahimi, Alderman of the City of Des Plaines; Naema Abraham, President of the District 219 Board of Education; Sargon Guliana, Vice-President of the District 72 Board of Education; and Mary Oshana, Commissioner of the Skokie Parks Commission. John J. Nimrod was the first Assyrian-American elected to serve in the Illinois State Senate, representing the 4th Senatorial District from 1973 to 1983; and
WHEREAS, Assyrians have also made important contributions to the social and cultural fabric of our communities. The iconic London House in Chicago was designed by Assyrian-American architect Eva Toma. The Pentagon Memorial honoring 9/11 victims in Washington, D.C. was built by Abe Yousif, an Assyrian-American from Elk Grove Village. Chicago’s famous Pizza Puff was invented by Elisha Shabaz, an Assyrian-American who immigrated to the U.S. from Iran in 1898; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Board recognizes the cultural importance and history surrounding the observance of the Assyrian New Year for Assyrian-Americans and joins the Assyrian-American community across Illinois in celebrating year 6772 of the Assyrian New Year.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County expresses its appreciation for the vibrancy, tenacity, and contributions of the Assyrian-American community and wishes all who observe this holiday a healthy and prosperous new year; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of same be tendered to The Assyrian Policy Institute and The Assyrian National Council of Illinois.
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