[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 6640-6641]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              SRI CHINMOY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DAVID N. CICILLINE

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 30, 2014

  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 50th anniversary of 
Sri Chinmoy's arrival to America. As a spiritual teacher, poet, artist 
and composer, Sri Chinmoy used his many talents to make the world a 
more peaceful place to live.
  Sri Chinmoy was born in the village of Shakpura, Chittagong, in 
Bangladesh, which was at the time called East Bengal. In 1964, Sri 
Chinmoy first traveled to the U.S. and later embarked on a fifty-state 
American lecture tour to promote his powerful message of peace, 
cooperation, and respect for all. His first stop was Rhode Island's 
Brown University. His message of peace resonated with Rhode Islanders 
because he sought what so many people seek--a peaceful world for 
himself and others.
  His quiet and selfless work has served as an important example to all 
those who work toward peace and harmony. A few years ago, I was proud 
to help dedicate a statue portraying Sri Chinmoy in Roger Williams Park 
to celebrate the World Harmony Run, founded by Sri Chinmoy, which seeks 
to strengthen international ties and promote friendship. Providence is 
among the many cities in America

[[Page 6641]]

and across the world that recognize the peaceful principles taught by 
Sri Chinmoy. In fact, there are over 100 countries that participate in 
the World Harmony Run.
  On the 50th anniversary of Sri Chinmoy's arrival to America, it is 
important that we remember his message and renew our commitment to make 
the world a more peaceful place. His leadership is sorely missed, but 
his spirit and message live on. As he so aptly described: ``we are all 
seekers, and our goal is the same: to achieve inner peace, light, and 
joy, to become inseparably one with our Source, and to lead lives full 
of true satisfaction.''

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