88R12091 JRI-D
 
  By: Jetton H.R. No. 220
 
 
 
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 during
  the second week of November 2023; 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 2023 and extend
  to all those participating in the observance sincere best wishes
  for a meaningful and memorable occasion.