H.Res. 824

119 HRES 824 IH: Recognizing the religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali.
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2025-10-21
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 EN
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 IV  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  H. RES. 824  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   October 21, 2025   Mr. Krishnamoorthi  (for himself,  Mr. Fitzpatrick ,  Ms. Jayapal ,  Mr. Khanna ,  Mr. Bera ,  Mr. Thanedar ,  Mr. Subramanyam ,  Mr. McCaul ,  Mrs. Watson Coleman ,  Mr. Veasey ,  Mr. Beyer ,  Mr. Walkinshaw ,  Mr. Pallone ,  Mr. Sherman ,  Ms. Jacobs ,  Mr. Goldman of New York ,  Ms. Chu ,  Mr. Castro of Texas ,  Ms. Lofgren ,  Mrs. Fletcher ,  Ms. Ross ,  Ms. Omar ,  Mr. Carson , and  Mr. Gottheimer ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the  Committee on Foreign Affairs    RESOLUTION
Recognizing the religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali.
Whereas, for millions of Indian-Americans, Diwali (or Deepavali) is a time for thanksgiving and prayer for health, knowledge, and peace;
Whereas Diwali, a festival of great significance to Indian-Americans, is celebrated annually by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and others throughout the United States;
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 falls on the last day of the last month in the lunar calendar and 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 belief that light triumphs over darkness, and good triumphs over evil;
Whereas, for Sikhs, Diwali is feted as the day on which the sixth founding Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind, was released from captivity by the Mughal Emperor Jehangir;
Whereas, for Jains, Diwali marks the anniversary of the attainment of Nirvana by Lord Mahavira, the last of the Tirthankaras (founders of the Jain philosophy); and
Whereas Diwali is a celebration of great importance in Indian-American communities throughout the United States: Now, therefore, be it
That the House of Representatives—
(1)
recognizes the historical and religious significance of Diwali;
(2)
in observance of Diwali, the festival of lights, expresses its deepest respect for Indian-Americans and the Indian diaspora throughout the world on this significant occasion;
(3)
recognizes and appreciates the religious diversity in both India and the United States and throughout the world; and
(4)
acknowledges and supports the relationship of collaboration and respect between the United States and India.