Speech and Testimony
County Executive Leggett’s Remarks at the Nowruz Celebration- Persian New Year Celebration
Gaithersburg High School, 101 Education Boulevard, Gaithersburg
As prepared
Good evening and thank you for allowing me to be part of this special occasion on the Nowruz - the Iranian new year occurring just 10 days from now!
I am grateful for Dr. Iran Arbabi who, more than 30 years ago, recognized the importance of preserving Iranian cultural heritage and established the Iran Cultural and Educational Center.
Now the ICEC is open to all students interested in learning the Persian language and culture. Its core mission – to create an environment that fosters appreciation of cultural diversity among young learners, thus helping them become ambassadors of cultural awareness – is in keeping with the highest traditions and values of our great County and helps our County grow as a beacon of culture.
But the contributions of Iranian-Americans and Iranian immigrants aren’t only cultural. A recent Small Business Administration report found Iranian immigrants among the top-20 immigrant groups with the highest rate of business ownership, contributing substantially to the U.S. economy.
According to the report, there are 33,570 active and contributing Iranian American business owners in the U.S., with an astounding 21.5% business ownership rate.
Iranians are also among some of the most highly educated people, with 1-in-4 Iranians living in the U.S. having earned a master’s degree.
Here in Montgomery County, foreign-born Iranians comprise 2.24% of our foreign-born population; and the County is the 7th most-popular destination for Iranian immigrants.
We’ll continue to work to become #1, because the Iranian Community has truly established itself as an integral part of our society.
Again, I am grateful for celebrations such as Nowruz - a more than 3,000 year-old-holiday that also reminds us of the rich culture and the extraordinary contributions Iranians have made and continue to make.
Thank you for inviting me to this wonderful celebration. Though I will no longer be your County Executive, this time next year, I look forward to many more celebrations like this one in the future.
Nowruz Mobarak!
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Release ID: 18-012
Saturday, March 10; 5 p.m.