https://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2021/11/04/key-us-lawmakers-introduce-bill-to-make-diwali-a-federal-holiday-447620/Key US lawmakers introduce bill to make Diwali a federal holiday
By Geeta Goindi November 4, 2021 3:29 pm
The Deepavali Day Act will recognize and honor the immense contributions of Indian-Americans to the US
Ahead of the sparkling festival of lights, influential members of the US House of Representatives unveiled legislation that would make Diwali a nationally recognized federal holiday.
Flanked by colleagues in Congress, Democrat Carolyn Maloney of New York announced the introduction of the Deepavali Day Act on the eve of the festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists all over the world. Looking on were Indian-American community activists who braved a cold morning in early Fall to witness the historic event held in the Rayburn House Office building on Capitol Hill.
“I am very proud to celebrate with you the victory of light over darkness, the triumph of good over evil, and the pursuit of knowledge over ignorance as we do every day”, Maloney told the gathering. “It is truly appropriate that Diwali this year symbolizes our nation’s continuing journey out of the darkness of Covid-19 and the terrible effects that the pandemic has had on the people of our nation”.
The lawmaker who chairs the powerful House Oversight and Reform Committee noted, “Celebrations like Diwali speak to the core of what we all desire our nation to be: a beacon of happiness, healing, learning and light in uncertain times. There is no better time to enshrine Diwali as a federal holiday than in the wake of this terrible, dark pandemic”, she affirmed.
