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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Diwali is a five-day festival of lights that 
3takes place in autumn and represents new beginnings, 
4celebrating good over evil and light over darkness; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word 
6Deepavali, meaning "rows of lighted lamps"; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Diwali is celebrated by millions of Hindus, 
8Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs, and each religion marks different 
9events and stories; and
 
10    WHEREAS, While Diwali is important to each faith for 
11different reasons, the holiday retains the unifying theme of 
12the triumph of good over evil or "light over darkness", and 
13this focus on light is why it is known as the festival of 
14lights; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Celebrants of Diwali light small oil lamps and 
16place them around their homes, with the lights symbolizing the 
17light within each individual that rids the soul of the 
18darkness of ignorance; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Celebrants also pray, craft flower garlands, 
20place floating candles in water, share sweets, and make 
 
 
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1lanterns, which they then display in their homes or send them 
2into the night sky; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Diwali is celebrated by four million Indian 
4Americans in the United States and by millions more worldwide; 
5and
 
6    WHEREAS, Illinois understands the cultural significance of 
7Diwali and the religious diversity in Illinois, the U.S., and 
8the world; and
 
9    WHEREAS, The message of Diwali resonates with Illinoisans, 
10Americans, and citizens of the world now more than ever; 
11therefore, be it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL 
13ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare October 31, 
142024 as Diwali Day in the State of Illinois in honor of those 
15in Illinois and across the nation who celebrate this 
16significant holiday.