IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1394 

Celebrating the principles of democracy, religious pluralism, human rights, 

and the rule of law shared by both the United States and India, the 

strong people-to-people ties between the United States and India, and 

the success of the Indian diaspora in the United States. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 30, 2024 

Mr. SUOZZI (for himself, Mrs. KIM of California, Mr. BURCHETT, Mr. CARL, 

Mr. CARTER of Georgia, Mr. CARTWRIGHT, Mr. CONNOLLY, Mr. CORREA, 

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. FLEISCHMANN, Mrs. 

FOUSHEE, Mr. GROTHMAN, Mr. GUTHRIE, Mr. KHANNA, Mr. 

KRISHNAMOORTHI, Mr. LAHOOD, Mr. MEUSER, Mr. MULLIN, Mr. 

NEHLS, Mr. NICKEL, Mr. NORCROSS, Mr. OGLES, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. 

ROSE, Ms. ROSS, Ms. SA ́NCHEZ, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. SHERMAN, Mrs. 

STEEL, Mr. TAKANO, Mr. THANEDAR, Mrs. TRAHAN, Mr. VAN DREW, 

Ms. VAN DUYNE, Mr. VEASEY, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, and Mr. 

MCCORMICK) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 

the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Celebrating the principles of democracy, religious pluralism, 

human rights, and the rule of law shared by both the 

United States and India, the strong people-to-people ties 

between the United States and India, and the success 

of the Indian diaspora in the United States. 

Whereas the partnership between India and the United 

States stands as one of the most important democratic 

partnerships in the world; 


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•HRES 1394 IH 

Whereas the partnership is based on shared principles of democracy, religious pluralism, human rights, freedom, and 

the rule of law; 

Whereas the people-to-people ties between India and the 

United States are strong, vibrant, and mutually beneficial 

for both countries; 

Whereas the Indian diaspora, a community of over 4,000,000 

in the United States, has excelled in all areas of United 

States life, with 80 percent of Americans of Indian heritage attaining college degrees; 

Whereas India has a rich history of religious pluralism, with 

vibrant Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, and 

Jain communities; 

Whereas 80 percent of Indian immigrants in the United 

States practice Hinduism, and the United States Hindu 

population is estimated to be about 1 percent of the total 

population; 

Whereas Hinduism is both a religion and a philosophy devoted to peace, good deeds, and integrity; 

Whereas BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (‘‘BAPS’’) is a 

worldwide Hindu denomination dedicated to fostering 

faith, inspiring service, and promoting better living; 

Whereas His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921– 

2016), established the first BAPS Hindu mandir in the 

United States of America on August 4, 1974, in New 

York City; 

Whereas 2024 marks 50 years of service and faith in the 

United States for BAPS; 

Whereas, over the last 50 years, BAPS has grown to over 

100 mandirs across the United States; 


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•HRES 1394 IH 

Whereas these mandirs offer a welcoming and spiritual space 

for thousands of families, as well as worship, fellowship, 

communal meals, education, and activities for young and 

old, creating a true home for the faithful; 

Whereas BAPS mandirs offer youth activities that encourage 

and mold young people to live lives of integrity and character that reflect our highest ideals; 

Whereas BAPS mandirs bring His Holiness Pramukh Swami 

Maharaj’s words, ‘‘In the joy of others lies our own’’, to 

life through support for those in need, through a variety 

of community efforts such as health fairs, food drives, or 

disaster relief work; 

Whereas following in the example of His Holiness Mahant 

Swami Maharaj, the volunteers of BAPS have, time and 

again, answered the call to serve, humbly, selflessly, and 

inspirationally; 

Whereas BAPS mandirs have a storied history of helping immigrants to the United States retain their connection to 

their faith but fully embrace and join in United States 

civic life; and 

Whereas BAPS mandirs add to the United States rich tapestry of diversity and contribute to the well-being of their 

congregants and local communities; Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the importance of the United 

3 States-India strategic bilateral relationship; 

4 (2) celebrates the people-to-people bonds of 

5 friendship between India and the United States; 


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•HRES 1394 IH 

1 (3) affirms the commitment to freedom, democ2 racy, the rule of law, and religious pluralism shared 

3 by the United States and India; and 

4 (4) recognizes and celebrates the countless con5 tributions of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and its 

6 volunteers over the last 50 years in the United 

7 States. 

Æ 


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