H.R. No. 221
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The festival of Diwali, a holiday celebrated by
followers of Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, is taking place from
October 31 to November 4, 2024; and
WHEREAS, For people of these faiths, Diwali represents the
symbolic victory of light over darkness; while celebrants observe
different national, regional, and religious customs, the
five-day-long event is generally regarded as a time of happiness
and benevolence, when people come together and express gratitude
for their blessings; and
WHEREAS, Among Hindus, a common Diwali custom is to light
diyas, or small lamps filled with oils; the custom is performed to
invite Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, into one's home, and
throughout the festival, diyas are also lit and placed around
temples and floated down rivers and streams; in the Jain community,
Diwali represents the enlightenment and liberation of the spiritual
teacher Mahavira from the cycle of life and death, with the
illumination of lamps around homes symbolizing the light of
Mahavira's holy knowledge; for the Sikhs, Diwali commemorates an
important event in the Sikh tradition, the release of a prominent
holy figure, Guru Hargobind, from imprisonment; and
WHEREAS, Celebrated by more than a billion people across the
globe, Diwali is a holiday that is richly varied in its customs,
rituals, and significance, and it is fitting to acknowledge the
great importance that Diwali has to those of the Hindu, Jain, and
Sikh faiths who reside in the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize the festival of Diwali 2024 and extend
to all those participating in the observance sincere best wishes
for a meaningful and memorable occasion.
Jetton
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 221 was adopted by the House on March
8, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 140, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House