[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 165 (Monday, October 29, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H12121-H12122]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[[Page H12121]]
RECOGNIZING THE RELIGIOUS AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FESTIVAL
OF DIWALI
Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 747) recognizing the religious and historical
significance of the festival of Diwali.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 747
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
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(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.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Tennessee (Mr. Tanner) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.
General Leave
Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Tennessee?
There was no objection.
Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Our colleague and my friend, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, introduced
this resolution that seeks to recognize the significance of the
festival of Diwali. Diwali is celebrated as victory of good over evil
for some, and as a remembrance of liberation for others. Ultimately, it
is a day of joy celebrated annually by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and
Jains throughout the world, particularly by Indians and Indian
Americans.
With more than 2 million devotees of these faiths in our country,
this resolution honors this holiday and those who cherish its message.
There are few religious holidays that are celebrated by a multitude
of faiths, and it is a tribute to the diversity of India and to our
country that we have such a rich religious heritage in our societies.
By celebrating Diwali, we also are celebrating this diversity, a shared
value that has brought the United States and India closer together
through the years.
Much has been said about our two countries being natural partners in
this world; and the importance of having multi-ethnic, multi-cultural
and, indeed, multi-religious societies cannot be overemphasized.
For these reasons, I look forward to celebrating this festival and
strongly support the resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 747, which
recognizes the significance of the festival of Diwali.
I want to extend my appreciation to the gentleman from South Carolina
(Mr. Wilson) for his leadership on this issue and so many issues that
are affecting U.S. relations with India and Indian Americans.
Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues know because of our previous speaker,
Diwali is a major, multi-cultural festival celebrated in India and
everywhere around the world. Although often referred to as a Hindu
festival, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists also observe it.
Known as the Festival of Lights, it symbolizes the victory of good
over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for
mankind.
Diwali is celebrated for 5 consecutive days in October or November,
and it is one of the most popular and eagerly awaited festivals in
India. This celebration presents all of us with the opportunity to
reflect on the many ways in which people, history and traditions of
India, and elsewhere in South Asia, have contributed to the rich
cultural mosaic that is the United States of America. It also reminds
us again that America's extraordinary diversity is one of our Nation's
most enduring strengths.
I was proud to sponsor a similar resolution in the 109th Congress,
House Resolution 584, which also recognizes the significance of this
important festival of Diwali.
So with that, Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, as the proud sponsor of
House Resolution 747, I am pleased that this legislation recognizing
the religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali has
been brought to the floor today for consideration.
Celebrated by the people of India, the Indian Diaspora and the nearly
two million Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains who call America their
home, the Diwali festival is a five day event held in the fall that
celebrates the values of kinship, knowledge, and goodness. It signifies
the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. This is commonly
represented by individuals lighting oil lamps and placing them outside
their homes.
My resolution acknowledges the international, religious, and
historical importance of the festival of Diwali as well as the
religious diversity in India, the United States, and throughout the
world. It shows our support for the strong and growing partnership and
dialogue in international efforts between the United States and India.
Lastly, it recognizes the importance of Indian Americans--a strong and
vibrant immigrant community.
As co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian
Americans, as well as a lifelong supporter and admirer of the Indian
American community, I am grateful for the opportunity to show my
appreciation. My father served in India during WorId War II, and he
told me how entrepreneurial and competent the people of India are. I
call on my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to do the
same for the citizens of India, a strategic and economic ally.
I would like to commend Ishani Chowdhury with the Hindu American
Foundation, my Chief of Staff Dino Teppara, my Legislative Assistant
Paul Callahan, and Arshi Siddiqui with Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office
for their cooperation and dedication in bringing this important
resolution to the floor.
Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests, so I yield back
the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Tanner) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 747.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further
[[Page H12122]]
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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