[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 127 (Friday, August 2, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E793]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOCHASANWASI AKSHAR PURUSHOTTAM SWAMINARAYAN 
                             SANSTHA (BAPS)

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. THOMAS R. SUOZZI

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 2024

  Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the 50th 
anniversary of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha 
(BAPS). BAPS is a worldwide Hindu denomination dedicated to fostering 
faith, inspiring service, and promoting better living. Over the last 50 
years, BAPS has opened over 100 Hindu Temples or ``mandirs'' across the 
United States. The Revered Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016), 
established the first BAPS mandir in the United States of America on 
August 4, 1974, in New York City. BAPS mandirs bring His Holiness 
Pramukh Swami Maharaj's words, ``In the joy of others lies our own'', 
to life, by supporting those in need, organizing health fairs, food 
drives, and disaster relief work. BAPS mandirs offer a welcoming 
spiritual space for thousands of families, as well as worship, 
fellowship, education, community, and social activities for the youth 
and elderly.
  At this time, I also wish to reaffirm the shared values of democracy, 
religious pluralism, and respect for human rights, between India and 
the United States. The United States and India have a strong 
partnership as the world's oldest and largest democracy, respectively. 
Both countries share the values of pluralism, human rights, liberty, 
and respect for the rule of law. The people-to-people connections 
between the United States and India are stronger than in any other time 
in history. Indian Americans embody the American dream, and flourish in 
all areas of American life. Indian Americans come from diverse 
backgrounds, including Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, 
Jews, Zoroastrians, Jains, and Bahai's. These hardworking communities 
enrich the fabric of our nation. I wish our friends at BAPS a joyful 
anniversary.

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