Title: Recognizing the religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali.
Policy area: Arts, Culture, Religion

Summary:
This resolution recognizes the religious and historical significance of Diwali.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1217 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1217

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 12, 2020

Mr. Krishnamoorthi (for himself, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mrs. Watson Coleman, 
 Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Rush, Mr. Connolly, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Hastings, Mr. 
 Cox of California, Mr. Michael F. Doyle of Pennsylvania, Mr. Nadler, 
 Mr. Yoho, Mr. Costa, Mr. Bera, Ms. Jayapal, Mr. Khanna, Mr. Price of 
  North Carolina, Mr. Sherman, and Mr. Cohen) 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 for millions of Indian Americans, Diwali (or Deepavali) is a time for 
        thanksgiving and prayer for health, knowledge, and peace;
Whereas this year, 2020, many Members of Congress will celebrate Diwali in the 
        United States Capitol for the first time;
Whereas Diwali, a festival of great significance to Indian Americans, is 
        celebrated annually by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and others throughout the 
        United States;
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 falls on the last day of the last month in the lunar calendar and 
        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 belief that light triumphs 
        over darkness, and good triumphs over evil;
Whereas for Sikhs, Diwali is feted as the day on which the sixth founding Sikh 
        guru, Guru Hargobind, was released from captivity by the Mughal Emperor 
        Jehangir;
Whereas for Jains, Diwali marks the anniversary of the attainment of Nirvana by 
        Lord Mahavira, the last of the Tirthankaras (founders of the Jain 
        philosophy); and
Whereas Diwali is a celebration of great importance in Indian-American 
        communities throughout the United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the historical and religious significance of 
        Diwali;
            (2) in observance of Diwali, the festival of lights, 
        expresses its deepest respect for Indian Americans and the 
        Indian Diaspora throughout the world on this significant 
        occasion;
            (3) recognizes and appreciates the religious diversity in 
        both India and the United States and throughout the world; and
            (4) acknowledges and supports the relationship of 
        collaboration and respect between the United States and India.
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