[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 25, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           COMMEMORATING THE 2600TH BIRTHDAY OF LORD MAHAVIR)

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                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2001

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I come to the House floor today to praise 
the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Vajpayee, in declaring this year as 
the year of nonviolence. April 6 commemorates the 2600th birthday of 
the greatest prophet of Jainism, Lord Mahavir.
  Jainism is a beautiful religion originating in India over two 
millennia ago, built on the principles of nonviolence, working on the 
self, and realization of multiplicity of truth through our varying 
perspectives of life. Lord Mahavir worked tirelessly all his life until 
he reached Nirvana, and then embarked barefoot to spread his message of 
truth across the great nation of India.
  Lord Mahavir practiced and preached environmental protection to 
safeguard trees, plants and animals for the living. The observation of 
the nonviolent practices of the Jainis was a major influence on the 
philosophy of the great Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi. The same 
principles of nonviolence and respect for life were practiced more 
recently by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the United States, as he 
led the struggle for civil rights for all Americans.
  Mahavir's principles are extremely important today as well. Mahavir 
or The Great Soul taught us liberation of soul by right knowledge, 
right faith and right conduct. We must all bring this into our lives to 
make this world a better place for our children and grandchildren.
  April 6th marks the beginning of pioneering celebrations throughout 
the world for nonviolence, and thus I ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing the year 2001 as the year of nonviolence worldwide.

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