[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 113 (Monday, July 3, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E941]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





      VISIT WITH HIS HOLINESS MAHANT SWAMI MAHARAJ AT BAPS MANDIR

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                        HON. RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, July 3, 2017

  Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, today I honor His Holiness Mahant 
Swami Maharaj, the new spiritual leader and guru of the Bochasanwasi 
Akshar Purushottam Sanstha (BAPS)--a global Hindu socio-spiritual 
organization--as he makes a historically important visit to BAPS 
devotees across North America.
  BAPS is an impactful organization, aiming to preserve the values of 
family unity, selfless service, interfaith harmony and peaceful 
coexistence. They reach these goals through various activities and 
endeavors centered around spirituality, character-building, and human 
welfare. This often includes large-scale charitable events, community 
outreach activities, and in-depth educational programs for young 
people.
  His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj is now the sixth guru of BAPS, 
having being blessed by Pramukh Swami Maharaj as his successor. His 
Holiness has been an enthusiastic devotee of BAPS since his youth, 
having taken diksha (i.e. being appointed a saint) in 1961. Over time, 
his outstanding virtues of austerity, self-control, devotion, humility 
and service have earned him his affectionate title. Following in 
Pramukh Swami's footsteps, Mahant Swami has pledged to propagate peace, 
especially in a time of unrest in the world.
  Every time I visit the beautiful BAPS Mandir in Bartlett, Illinois 
and visit with their devotees and volunteers there, I am reminded of 
the excellent virtues that BAPS represents and that America should 
celebrate.
  I honor His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader and 
guru of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha organization.

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