Source: Office of Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ)
WASHINGTON, D.C. USA, March 6, 2003: U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr., founder of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives asking Congress to request the United States Postal Service to issue a stamp honoring the holiday of Deepavali. The Citizen’s Stamp Advisory Commission, under the U.S. Postal Service, currently issues many stamps with holiday themes, including Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and most recently Eid. Pallone said he is hopeful that there will soon be a postage stamp commemorating this beautiful festival celebrated in India and throughout the world. “The rich culture associated with the Deepavali tradition includes observation of this holiday by Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Muslims and Buddhists,” Pallone said. “Deepavali is a time for communal gatherings and spiritual enlightenment. People from across the world make an effort to visit their family, friends and neighbors on this wonderful holiday. The spirit of Deepavali has survived political, economic and social vicissitudes throughout history, while always carrying the universal symbolism of the triumph of light, goodness, knowledge and truth.”