[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 709-710]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HOUSE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
THAT THE CITIZENS' STAMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AS AN ENTITY OF THE UNITED 
 STATES POSTAL SERVICE, SHOULD ISSUE A COMMEMORATIVE STAMP IN HONOR OF 
                         THE HOLIDAY OF DIWALI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 14, 2015

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
introduce the House Resolution Expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives that the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee, as an 
entity of the United States Postal Service, should issue a 
commemorative stamp in honor of the holiday of Diwali. I am proud to be 
joined in this effort by my colleagues Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, 
Congressman Mike Honda, Congresswoman Grace Meng, and Congressman Ami 
Bera.

[[Page 710]]

  The five-day ``festival of lights,'' Diwali celebrates the triumph of 
good over evil, light over dark, and knowledge over ignorance. This 
festive and important Indian holiday is celebrated by billions across 
the globe. Despite the significance of this holiday to many Americans, 
the United States Postal Service has not yet recognized Diwali with a 
commemorative stamp, as it has with other major religious and cultural 
holidays such as Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Eid.
  As one of the world's oldest religious holidays, Diwali has survived 
political, economic and social changes throughout history, while always 
carrying the universal symbolism of the victory of light, goodness, 
knowledge and truth. It is long overdue that we honor this significant 
holiday with a postage stamp of its own.

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