110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 245
Recognizing the religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 14, 2007
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina (for himself and Mr. MCDERMOTT) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali.
Whereas Diwali, a festival of great significance to Indian Americans and South Asian Americans, is celebrated annually by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains throughout the United States;
Whereas there are nearly 2,000,000 Hindus in the United States, of which approximately 1,250,000 are of Indian and South Asian origin;
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, was released from captivity by the Mughal Emperor Jehangir; 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
(1) recognizes the religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali; and
(2) requests the President to issue a proclamation recognizing Diwali.
View an updated listing of the co-sponsors of HRes 245
View additional information about HRes 245
Related Links
Full Text and Cosponsors of House Resolution 747
Full Text and Cosponsors of Senate Resolution 299
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 747
Recognizing the religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
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
(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.
View an updated listing of the co-sponsors of HRes 747
View additional information about HRes 747
Related Links
Full Text and Cosponsors of House Resolution 245
Full Text and Cosponsors of Senate Resolution 299
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 299
Recognizing the religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
August 3 , 2007
Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself and Mr. CORNYN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali.
Whereas Diwali, a festival of great significance to Indian Americans and South Asian Americans, is celebrated annually by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains throughout the United States;
Whereas there are nearly 2,000,000 Hindus in the United States, approximately 1,250,000 of which are of Indian and South Asian origin;
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 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 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, was released from captivity by the Mughal Emperor Jehangir; and
Whereas for Jains, Diwali marks the anniversary of the attainment of moksha, or liberation, by Mahavira, the last of the Tirthankaras (the great teachers of Jain dharma), at the end of his life in 527 B.C.: Now, therefore, be it
(1) recognizes the religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali; and
(2) requests the President to issue a proclamation recognizing Diwali.
View an updated listing of the co-sponsors of SRes 299
View additional information about SRes 299
Related Links
Full Text and Cosponsors of House Resolution 245
Full Text and Cosponsors of House Resolution 747
