SR 80 — A resolution to recognize the historic, cultural, and religious significance of the festival of Diwali.

SR-80,MICHIGAN As Adopted by Senate, October 21, 2025 SENATE RESOLUTIONSenate NO.Resolution No.

80 Offered by Senators Webber, Polehanki, Runestad, Shink, Bellino, Bayer, Chang, McMorrow, Huizenga, Wojno, Moss and Theis offeredA RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THE HISTORIC, CULTURAL, AND RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FESTIVAL OF DIWALI WHEREAS, Diwali is celebrated annually every autumn by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains in Michigan, the followingUnited resolution:States, and throughout the world, with over one billion celebrants marking the holiday;

Aand resolutionWHEREAS, toDiwali recognizeis thea historic,holy cultural,day, andduring religiouswhich significancecelebrants oflight thesmall festivaloil oflamps Diwali.and place them around the home.

Whereas, Diwali is celebrated annually every autumn by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains in Michigan, the United States, and throughout the world, with over one billion celebrants marking the holiday;

and Whereas, Diwali is a holy day, during which celebrants light small oil lamps and place them around the home.

and Whereas,WHEREAS, “Diwali” is a shortened version of the Sanskrit word “Deepavali,” which means a row of lamps, and in English is referred Diwali_SR80_AA_1 1zdj5o 1 to as the “festival of lights;” and Whereas,WHEREAS, Celebrants of Diwali believe that the rows of lamps symbolize the light within the individual that rids the soul of the darkness of ignorance;

and Whereas,WHEREAS, For Hindus, Diwali is a celebration of the belief that light triumphs over darkness and good triumphs over evil;

and Whereas,WHEREAS, For Sikhs, Diwali is feted as the day that the sixth founding Sikh Guru, or revered teacher, Guru Hargobind, was released from captivity by the Mughal Emperor Jehangir;

and Whereas,WHEREAS, For Jains, Diwali marks the anniversary of the attainment of moksha or liberation by Lord Mahavira, the last of the Tirthankaras, who was the great teacher of Jain Dharma at the end of his life in 527 B.C.;

and Whereas,WHEREAS, Michigan remains resolute in its commitment to fostering diversity of experience and religious acceptance;

and Whereas,WHEREAS, Diwali is a time marked by qualities of togetherness, family, and community;

now, therefore, be it ResolvedRESOLVED byBY theTHE Senate,SENATE, That the members of this legislative body recognize the historic, cultural, and religious significance of the festival of Diwali.

and be it further Resolved,RESOLVED, That we express respect and admiration to all those who celebrate Diwali throughout the world and in our own communities.

Diwali_SR80_AA_1Adopted 1zdj5oby the Senate, October 21, 2025.

Secretary of the Senate