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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The festival of Diwali, a holiday celebrated by |
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followers of Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, is taking place during |
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the second week of November 2023; and |
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WHEREAS, For people of these faiths, Diwali represents the |
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symbolic victory of light over darkness; while celebrants observe |
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different national, regional, and religious customs, the |
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five-day-long event is generally regarded as a time of happiness |
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and benevolence, when people come together and express gratitude |
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for their blessings; and |
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WHEREAS, Among Hindus, a common Diwali custom is to light |
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diyas, or small lamps filled with oils; the custom is performed to |
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invite Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, into one's home, and |
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throughout the festival, diyas are also lit and placed around |
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temples and floated down rivers and streams; in the Jain community, |
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Diwali represents the enlightenment and liberation of the spiritual |
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teacher Mahavira from the cycle of life and death, with the |
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illumination of lamps around homes symbolizing the light of |
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Mahavira's holy knowledge; for the Sikhs, Diwali commemorates an |
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important event in the Sikh tradition, the release of a prominent |
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holy figure, Guru Hargobind, from imprisonment; and |
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WHEREAS, Celebrated by more than a billion people across the |
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globe, Diwali is a holiday that is richly varied in its customs, |
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rituals, and significance, and it is fitting to acknowledge the |
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great importance that Diwali has to those of the Hindu, Jain, and |
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Sikh faiths who reside in the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize the festival of Diwali 2023 and extend |
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to all those participating in the observance sincere best wishes |
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for a meaningful and memorable occasion. |