[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 103 (Thursday, July 18, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H4608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              DIWALI STAMP

  (Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York asked and was given permission 
to address the House for 1 minute.)
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I would like to 
invite my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in asking 
the Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee to issue a staff stamp in honor 
of Diwali. H.R. 47 has over 41 bipartisan cosponsors.
  Diwali marks the beginning of the Hindu new year, one of the oldest 
and most storied holidays in the world. It symbolizes the triumph of 
good over evil and of light over darkness. Diwali is celebrated by over 
a billion Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, and Jains alike. It has 
been celebrated and honored in the White House by both parties. But 
Diwali has yet to join the legion of holidays that we honor with a 
stamp.
  Yesterday, Congressman Bera, along with the Indian American leaders, 
including Ranju and Ravi Batra, delivered over 1,300 personally signed 
letters in support of the stamp to the Deputy Postmaster General. They 
also delivered over 400,000 signatures on a petition in support of the 
stamp.
  The time has come to issue a Diwali stamp. Please join me in asking 
the Citizen's Advisory Committee to do so.

                          ____________________