[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[House]
[Pages 28560-28562]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 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

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     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 proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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