Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu American lawmaker, diversity in the Congress is indicative of the special nature of Diwali itself.
“It is celebration of righteousness,” she said.
Ami Bera, who is the only Indian American in the current Congress, said this was an incredible Diwali celebration.
“It is great to be one Indian American in the Congress, but at our second, fifth Diwali celebration, we want to see more members of the Diaspora elected to the House of Representatives. We want to see deepening of this relationship as we move forward,” Bera said.
Congresswoman, Carolyn B Maloney, who had recently launched a campaign for issuing a Diwali stamp, rued that the US Postal Service had recently turned down the request.
As such she urged the Indian American community to work together in this regard.
“It is time to have Diwali stamp,” she said.
“India and the United States have so much in common,” said Congressman Elliot Engel, Ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and appreciated the contribution of Indian Americans in the country.
The outgoing Indian Ambassador to the US, Nirupama Rao, also spoke on the occasion, along with other Congressmen including Mike Honda, Sheila Jackson Lee, David Price, Charles Bernard “Charlie” Rangel, and Steny Hoyer.
