Bill Text: DE SCR58 | 2017-2018 | 149th General Assembly | Draft
Bill Title: Recognizing The Great Cultural Significance Of The Festival Of Diwali.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 17-3)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2018-06-28 - Passed In House by Voice Vote [SCR58 Detail]
Download: Delaware-2017-SCR58-Draft.html
|
SPONSOR: |
Sen. Poore & Sen. Hansen & Rep. Viola |
|
Sens. Henry, Hocker, Lavelle, Sokola, Townsend; Reps. Baumbach, Bolden, Brady, Heffernan, Q. Johnson, Keeley, Miro, Osienski, Paradee, Potter, B. Short, M. Smith |
DELAWARE STATE SENATE
149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 58
RECOGNIZING THE GREAT CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FESTIVAL OF DIWALI.
WHEREAS, Diwali is a festival of great significance to Indian Americans and the people of India that is celebrated annually by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains throughout the United States and the world; and
WHEREAS, there are more than 2,000,000 Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the word “Diwali” is a shortened version of the Sanskrit term “Deepavali”, which means “a row of lamps;” and
WHEREAS, Diwali is a 5 day festival of lights, which is celebrated by lighting small oil lamps and placing them around the home and by praying for health, knowledge, and peace; and
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; and
WHEREAS, Diwali begins 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; and
WHEREAS, for Hindus, Diwali is a celebration of the victory of good over evil; and
WHEREAS, for Sikhs, Diwali is feted as the day that the sixth founding Sikh Guru, or revered teacher Guru Hargobind ji, was released from captivity from the ruling Mughal Emperor; and
WHEREAS, for Jains, Diwali marks the anniversary of the attainment of moksha or liberation by Mahavira, the last of the Tirthankaras, who were the great teachers of Jain dharma, at the end of his life in 527 B.C.; and
WHEREAS, Diwali will begin on November 7, 2018.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 149 th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the State of Delaware recognizes the celebration of Diwali; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State of Delaware acknowledges the international religious and historical importance of the festival of Diwali; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State of Delaware recognizes and appreciates the religious diversity in both India and the United States and throughout the world;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State of Delaware affirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the United States and India; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State of Delaware extends the warmest wishes to those celebrating Diwali in Delaware, the United States, India, and throughout the world.
SYNOPSIS
This Senate Concurrent Resolution does all of the following:
(1) Recognizes Diwali as an important festival.
(2) Recognizes and appreciates religious diversity in India and the United States.
(3) Supports the friendship and cooperation between the United States and India.
(4) Acknowledges the onset of Diwali and expresses its warmest wishes to those celebrating Diwali in Delaware, the United States, India, and throughout the world.
Author: Senator Poore
