A bill recognizing "the religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali" passed in the full House of Representatives by a mammoth margin of 358 to 0. House resolution 747 was introduced jointly by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Jim McDermott (D-WA) and with its passage becomes the first bill to ever pass the House recognizing a Hindu festival that is also marked by Sikhs and Jains. Intending to have the bill passed prior to November 9, when Diwali will be celebrated this year, the bill was introduced and passed in the Foreign Affairs Committee last week and moved quickly to the successful full vote today. "My resolution acknowledges the international, religious, and historical importance of the festival of Diwali as well as the religious diversity in India, the United States, and throughout the world," said Congressman Wilson in a statement that was read on the floor of the House prior to the vote today. "It shows our support for the strong and growing partnership and dialogue in international efforts between the United States and India." Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) also took the floor to speak on behalf of the bill. http://www.ibnlive.com/news/diwali-sets-to-become-official-in-us/top/37417-2.html?xml http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/media_press_release_747_passes.htm http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.res.00747:
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