Fwd: [IndianCivilization] Diwali resolution Introduced in U.S. House Of Represenatatives

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Pranam. An interesting development...

 

Diwali resolution Introduced in U.S. House Of Represenatatives

 

http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/index.htm

 

Full text of the Resolution 816

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c108:H.RES.816:

 

 

HAF AUTHORED RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING DIWALI INTRODUCED IN U.S. HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES

 

You may contact your Congressman and voice your opinion about the

Diwali resolution. To find out the contact details for your

Congressman, visit www.congress.org

 

DATE: October 5, 2004

 

A resolution recognizing the historical and cultural significance of

the Hindu festival of Diwali was submitted to the United States House

of Representatives, Committee on Government Reform, on October 5,

2004. House Resolution 816 was introduced by Rep. Joseph Crowley (D,

NY), Democratic Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian

Americans, and was authored with assistance from the Hindu American

Foundation (HAF) (www.hinduamericanfoundation.org).

 

"I am pleased to have introduced this resolution recognizing Diwali,"

said Representative Joseph Crowley (D, NY) Democratic Chair of the

Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans as he introduced

the first resolution recognizing a festival of religious significance

to most Indian Americans. "Diwali is an important day for Indian

Americans and Indians around the world and I am proud to be the

sponsor of this resolution," Rep. Crowley continued.

 

The resolution explains that Diwali, a variation of the Sanskrit word

Deepavali, refers to the rows of earthen lamps celebrants place around

their homes. Hindus believe that the light from these lamps symbolizes

illumination within the individual that overwhelms ignorance,

represented by darkness. In addition to the spiritual significance the

day holds for Hindus, the resolution also explains the importance of

the day to Sikhs and Jains. Sikhs celebrate the release of the Sixth

Guru, Hargobind, from captivity by the Mughal Emperor Jehangir and

Jains commemorate Diwali as the day Lord Mahavira, the last of the

Tirthankaras, attained Nirvana, or liberation, after his death in 527 B.C.

 

"Diwali is of immense significance to Hindu Americans, and this

resolution introduced by Congressman Crowley captures the essence of

its spiritual and historical importance to Hindus, Jains and Sikhs,"

said Aseem Shukla, M.D., Member of the HAF Board of Directors.

 

The Hindu American Foundation, that had hosted a reception on Capitol

Hill, and met with several congressmen to discuss issues of concern to

Hindu Americans, approached contacts made during those visits to

consider official congressional recognition of Diwali. With official

assent, HAF proceeded to provide a draft of such a resolution. "When

the co-chairs of the India caucus, Reps. Crowley and Wilson, agreed to

work with HAF to finalize a resolution on Diwali, we quickly grasped

this unique opportunity to garner official recognition for this most

widely celebrated festival. We have enjoyed an excellent working

relationship with many congressional offices, and we hope to utilize

these contacts to gain widespread support for this resolution," said

Sheetal Shah, coordinator of the HAF Government Interaction Project.

 

The resolution effort was the latest in a series of actions by HAF to

fulfill stated goals to further understanding of Hinduism and promote

the religion's tenets of tolerance and pluralism. Mihir Meghani, M.D.,

President of HAF, explained that the resolution was aimed at promoting

awareness of the growing Hindu American community and imparting an

official recognition to one of their most important festivals. "This

will not only be the first time Hindus and all Indian Americans are

felicitated on Diwali, but in a sense, this resolution is a first step

in bringing Diwali into our nation's mainstream." said Mihir Meghani,

M.D., President of HAF. "Congressman Crowley has once again

demonstrated his sincere commitment to Hindu American issues by

introducing this resolution," Dr. Meghani added.

 

For further information: please contact HAF

http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org

 

 

HAF is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501©(3) organization not aligned or

affiliated with any political entity, party or organization.

 

 

 

Let my every word be a prayer to Thee,

Every movement of my hands a ritual gesture to Thee,

Every step I take a circumambulation of Thy image,

Every morsel I eat a rite of sacrifice to Thee,

Every time I lay down a prostration at Thy feet;

Every act of personal pleasure and all else that I do,

Let it all be a form of worshiping Thee."

>From Verse 27 of Shri Aadi Shankara's Saundaryalahari

 

 

 

 

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