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Lawmakers pledge to work towards protecting Hindu temples at Capitol Hill Diwali celebration
"This is an Indian festival which is embraced and celebrated the world over, your presence here, the presence of so many congressmen and senators has made it all the most special," Amb. Kwatra said.
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Lawmakers at the celebration / Image- BAPS
Over two dozen lawmakers celebrated Diwali with Indian Americans at the annual 'Diwali on Capitol Hill' celebration hosted by BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir alongside multiple partner organizations on Nov. 13.
Senators and U.S. Representatives that attended the celebration included Sen.Rand Paul (R-KY), Sen. Hyde Smith (R-MS), Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D- IL), Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), Rep. Andy Ogles (R- TN), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Rep. Ben Cline( R-VA), Rep. Ben Hoyer (D- MD), Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA), Rep. Bobby Scott(D-VA), Rep. Tom Souzzi (D-NY), Rep.Nick LaLota (R-NY), Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Rep. Darin LaHood(R-IL), Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA).
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Rep Krishnamoorti with Rep. Glenn Grothman and Rep. Randy Weber / Image- BAPSAlso in attendance were Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra along with representatives from co-hosts Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), Hindu American Foundation(HAF), US Indian Community Foundation and partner organisations Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur, Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA), the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and others.
"This is an Indian festival which is embraced and celebrated the world over, your presence here, the presence of so many congressmen and senators has made it all the most special," Amb. Kwatra said, delivering his greetings to the gathering.
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Organisations that joined to celebrate Diwali on Capitol Hill / Image- BAPS
"I have to say as one of the five current members of Congress who are Indian American, I affectionately call them the Samosa caucus. We need more Samosas in Congress. And I'm pleased to say that Suhas Suhas Subramanyam will be the sixth member of the samosa caucus. Indian Americans in this country have arrived," Rep. Krishnamoorthi said wishing everyone on the occasion.
Performance during the celebration / Image- BAPSThe lawmakers all shared their appreciation of the universal messages of Diwali, which is the victory of good over evil, while also appreciating the Indian American community and the diversity in their constituencies.
Rep. Garbarino in his address to the gathering said that there is a bipartisan effort to make sure Hindu temples are protected in the country. "We all serve on the Homeland Security committee. We're going to continue to work, to make sure that the temples get the security protection that they need. We had the opportunity to visit the Melville BAPS temple and we're going to make sure that you all continue to be able to practice safely and freely, and just want to thank you all very much for having us here tonight."
Congressman Tom Suozzi remarked, "When an Indian Americans placed their hands like this and say namaste, They're really recognizing the divinity and the respect they have for the person in front of them and we need more of that in our country today."
"There's a lot that needs to be done. I'm working with the State Department on the attacks on Hindu temples and making sure our community is protected all across America. I'm also working with the State Department on the atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh," Congressman Thanedar said in his remarks.
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