Vice Chair Crowley Statement on Diwali

(Queens, N.Y.) – Today, Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus, issued the following statement in commemoration of Diwali, a festival widely celebrated by the three million-plus Indian-American community, as well as others.

“Happy Diwali! I send my very best wishes to all those celebrating this joyous festival, both here in the U.S. and around the globe. Diwali is a time for reflection and renewal, and it is a time for peace. As people from many backgrounds come together to celebrate Diwali, let us all be reminded of the important message of setting aside our differences and working together as one. Saal Mubarak to all!

Known as the festival of lights, Diwali is a time for thanksgiving and prayer for health, knowledge and prosperity. The festival is widely celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, as well as others. Diwali falls on the last day of the last month in the lunar calendar.

When serving as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, Crowley helped organize the first-ever Congressional Diwali celebration in 2013. This event is now the largest annual Congressional event related to the Indian-American community and U.S.-India relations, aiming to not just to celebrate a major global festival but to provide a consistent, annual forum to advance issues important to India and the Indian-American community.