US Senate adopts resolution on significance of Diwali
|
| Posted
:
Sat, 17 Nov 2007 06:37:04 GMT |
| By
:
Arun Kumar |
| Category
:
US (World) |
| News Alerts by
Email ( click
here ) |
|
|
|
|
|
Washington, Nov 17 - After the US House of Representatives, it was the turn of the Senate to adopt a resolution are cognising the religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali' with unanimous consent.The resolution noted that Diwali, 'a festival of great significance to Indian Americans and South Asian Americans, is celebrated annually by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains throughout the US'.It are cognizes the religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali; and 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'.New Jersey Democrat Robert Menendez, who introduced the resolution with Texas Republican John Cornyn, said he was 'delighted that the Senate had agreed to pass the resolution' as 'it is important that we celebrate the great diversity that makes up and strengthens our national fabric'.He said it 'gives me great pride to commemorate what Diwali stands for-a time to be with family, and to pray for health, knowledge and peace'.The resolution was co-sponsored by Frank Lautenberg, Carl Levin, Sherrod Brown and Senator Robert Casey (all Democrats).Meanwhile, Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton extended Diwali greetings afresh describing it as 'a time to celebrate our common humanity and remind us of the importance of family and friends'.The former first lady, who had earlier sent out Diwali greetings more than a week before the festival, said: 'The US was founded on a great tradition of religious liberty and Indian Americans of all faiths have helped to demonstrate that our diversity is indeed strength.'Rival Democratic hopeful Barack Obama, in his Diwali greetings to the Indian American community, said it was a 'wonderful opportunity to reflect on the progress of the year past and rededicate ourselves to spreading peace and tolerance in the year to come.'This celebration of the triumph of illumination over ignorance has a special meaning for me this year. I have travelled across America for the last 10 months meeting people of every spiritual and ethnic background, and I have been struck by how much progress we have made,' the rising Black leader said. (c) Indo-Asian News Service
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related News
US review of landmine policy ongoing
Washington - The United States confirmed Wednesday its policy on an international treaty banning landmines was under review and, for the time being, there were no plans to join the pact. US State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said the review would ...
Millions of Americans hit roads, airports for Thanksgiving holiday
Los Angeles - Millions of Americans hit roads and boarded trains and planes Wednesday on the country's busiest travel day of the year in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday. The American Automobile Association (AAA) said 38.4 million Americans would ...
Obama focused on exit strategy for Afghanistan
Washington - US President Barack Obama will unveil his new plan for Afghanistan next week as he pushes military advisors for an exit strategy even as he contemplates adding thousands of more troops to the fight, the White House said Wednesday. Obama ...
US welcomes Netanyahu freeze on West Bank settlements
Washington - The United States welcomed the Israeli moratorium Wednesday on West Bank settlement construction as a positive step that could help move peace negotiations forward, but expressed concern that it did not include building in East Jerusal...
Obama's first presidential pardon: Turkey named Courage to be spared
Washington - US President Barack Obama doled out the first pardon of his tenure on Wednesday, sparing a turkey from Thanksgiving Day dinner plates in a long-standing White House tradition. Courage, you are hereby pardoned, Obama said in a brief, al...
Obama to travel to Copenhagen climate summit - 2nd Update
Washington - US President Barack Obama will be in Copenhagen during the early stages of a major UN summit on climate change, the White House said Wednesday. The Obama administration also proposed cutting its domestic emissions 17 per cent below 2005 ...
Obama to travel to Copenhagen climate summit - Update
Washington - US President Barack Obama will be in Copenhagen during the early stages of a major UN summit on climate change, the White House said Wednesday. The Obama administration also proposed cutting its domestic emissions 17 per cent below 2005 ...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
