[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 125 (Monday, September 30, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1680-E1681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      U.S. POSTAL STAMP IN HONOR OF DIWALI, THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 2002

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce a resolution 
today that expresses the Sense of Congress that the United States

[[Page E1681]]

Postal Service should issue a stamp honoring the holiday ``Diwali'', 
also known as the Festival of Lights.
  The Citizens Stamp Advisory Commission under the U.S. Postal Service 
currently issues many stamps with holiday themes, including Christmas, 
Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and most recently, Eid. The Commission has not 
issued a stamp honoring Diwali, and I am hopeful that we will soon have 
a U.S. postal stamp commemorating this beautiful festival celebrated in 
India and throughout the world.
  Diwali is one of the most important and colorful of the Indian 
festivals and is celebrated enthusiastically by Indians all over the 
world. It marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and is seen as a 
brand new beginning for all.
  Traditionally Diwali is celebrated for five days, each day having its 
own significance, rituals and myths. Light, in the form of candles and 
lamps, is a crucial part of Diwali, representing the triumph of light 
over darkness, goodness over evil and hope for the future.
  During Diwali people light small oil lamps and place them around the 
home to pray for health, wealth, knowledge, peace and fame. Fireworks 
are an exciting part of Diwali and the celebration of the festival is 
also customarily accompanied by exchanging sweets.
  The rich culture associated with the Diwali tradition includes 
observation of this holiday by Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, 
Muslims and Buddhists. Diwali is a time for communal gatherings and 
spiritual enlightenment. People from across the world make an effort to 
visit their family, friends and neighbors on this wonderful holiday.
  The spirit of Diwali has survived political, economic and social 
vicissitudes throughout history, while always carrying the universal 
symbolism of the triumph of light, goodness, knowledge and truth. 
Lastly, Mr. Speaker, Diwali is an exceptionally rich and culturally 
significant holiday that expresses hope and for these reasons, this 
holiday should be commemorated as a United States postal stamp.
  Mr. Speaker, I feel that Diwali is truly a marvelous holiday that 
deserves recognition. As the Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee 
continues it plans for issuing new stamps, I hope that it will consider 
issuing a Diwali stamp to honor this culturally significant holiday 
celebrated in the United States and abroad.

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