```

[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 747 Introduced in House (IH)]

110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 747

 Recognizing the religious and historical significance of the festival 
                               of Diwali.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 16, 2007

Mr. Wilson of South Carolina (for himself and Mr. McDermott) submitted 
   the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                            Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Recognizing the religious and historical significance of the festival 
                               of Diwali.

Whereas Diwali, a festival of great significance to Indian Americans and the 
        people of India, is celebrated annually by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and 
        Jains throughout the United States and the world;
Whereas there are more than 2,000,000 Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains in the 
        United States;
Whereas the word ``Diwali'' is a shortened version of the Sanskrit term 
        ``Deepavali'', which means ``a row of lamps'';
Whereas Diwali is a festival of lights, during which celebrants light small oil 
        lamps, place them around the home, and pray for health, knowledge, and 
        peace;
Whereas celebrants of Diwali believe that the rows of lamps symbolize the light 
        within the individual that rids the soul of the darkness of ignorance;
Whereas Diwali, falling on the last day of the last month in the lunar calendar, 
        is celebrated as a day of thanksgiving and the beginning of the new year 
        for many Hindus;
Whereas for Hindus, Diwali is a celebration of the victory of good over evil;
Whereas for Sikhs, Diwali is feted as the day that the sixth founding Sikh Guru, 
        or revered teacher, Guru Hargobind ji, was released from captivity from 
        the ruling Mughal Emperor; and
Whereas for Jains, Diwali marks the anniversary of the attainment of moksha or 
        liberation by Mahavira, the last of the Tirthankaras, who were the great 
        teachers of Jain dharma, at the end of his life in 527 B.C.: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) during this time of celebration, in order to 
        demonstrate support for Indian Americans and the Indian 
        Diaspora throughout the world, recognizes Diwali as an 
        important festival;
            (2) acknowledges the international religious and historical 
        importance of the festival of Diwali;
            (3) recognizes and appreciates the religious diversity in 
        both India and the United States and throughout the world;
            (4) acknowledges and supports the new relationship of 
        collaboration and dialogue in international efforts between the 
        United States and India; and
            (5) in observance of and out of respect for the start of 
        Diwali, the festival of lights, acknowledges the onset of 
        Diwali and expresses its deepest respect to Indian Americans 
        and the Indian Diaspora throughout the world on this 
        significant occasion.
                                 <all>
```