Ami Bera: “Next week is Diwali. The annual festival of lights is celebrated by more than 2 million Indian Americans and more than 1…”

“Next week is Diwali. The annual festival of lights is celebrated by more than 2 million Indian Americans and more than 1 billion people worldwide. Tomorrow more than a thousand Indian Americans will descend on Capitol Hill to celebrate Diwali. It is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the South Asian community, accomplishments in business, technology, health care, and academics. All across this Nation, in communities small and large, you will see those small-business owners, those academics, those doctors. It is a chance to give back to a country that has provided so much opportunity to immigrants over the generations, including the Indian American community. For a community that has benefited so much, it is great to see them participating in the political process, celebrating those accomplishments, and giving back to a country that means so much to us. Mr. Speaker, let's celebrate. Let's celebrate who we are as Americans. Let's celebrate a dynasty of immigrants, one successive generation after another, moving this country forward. ____________________”