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

Bill: 118-hres-844
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
Introduced: 2023-11-03
Policy area: Arts, Culture, Religion
Latest action: action_date: 2023-11-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-11-03
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This resolution recognizes the religious and historical significance of Diwali.</p>

tv_txt: IV 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 844 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 3, 2023 Mr. Krishnamoorthi (for himself, Mr. Fitzpatrick , Mr. Khanna , Mr. Pascrell , Mr. Beyer , Mr. Sherman , Mr. Pallone , Mrs. Watson Coleman , Mr. Thanedar , Mr. Veasey , Mr. Costa , Ms. Jayapal , and Mr. Bera ) 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 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

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.