[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 172 (Friday, October 1, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1055-E1056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING HINDU HERITAGE MONTH

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                        HON. RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 30, 2021

  Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I rise to join the many 
Hindu faithful in

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the United States in recognizing the month of October as Hindu heritage 
month. The 8th Congressional District is home to many followers of this 
uniquely pluralistic religion, and I wish to celebrate the Hindu 
community's valuable contributions to my district and to our state and 
country. I believe this acknowledgment is especially timely, given the 
disturbing rise of prejudice and racism in this country, including 
Hinduphobia as manifested in hateful speech and violent acts 
perpetrated against Indian-Americans and Hindu houses of worship.
  The Hindu religion dates back millennia and has profoundly influenced 
both ancient and modern cultures. Its message of religious tolerance, 
non-violence, and the universality of the human experience was 
introduced to this country in 1893 by Swami Vivekananda in his landmark 
address at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, Illinois. 
Swami Vivekananda's words of peace and his emphasis on self-perfection 
and service to others sparked interest in the Hindu faith and 
contributed to the growth of Hinduism in the United States. His 
spiritual understanding had a profound influence on one of the greatest 
leaders of the 20th century, Mahatma Gandhi, who in turn inspired the 
important work of one of our nation's most revered leaders, Martin 
Luther King, Jr., to advance the cause of civil rights in the United 
States.
  The Hindu faithful in our country include physicians, lawyers, 
scientists, economists, philosophers, artists, academics, business 
leaders, government officials--and Members of Congress. They are guided 
by Swami Vivekananda's call to service and respect for all religions 
and all people. Madam Speaker, I know all Americans of goodwill share 
these beliefs, and today I would like to celebrate the work of the 
Hindu faithful in building bridges of understanding between all 
Americans, for their important contributions to our economy and our 
cultural and civic life, and for the part they play in creating our 
wonderful and distinctively diverse American experience.

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