Source: India Post News Service
http://www.indiapost.com/members/story.php?story_id=5967
NEW JERSEY: The New Year may light up a historic development in the State of New Jersey - the recognition of October 15th through November 15th of each year as "Diwali Month."
This, following a landmark resolution-AJR-123 introduced by Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula in 2006 and supported by Senator Barbara Buono with a Senate resolution SJR-62, calling for such an initiative in the New Jersey General Assembly and Senate.
"If passed by the New Jersey Assembly and Senate, this will be the first-ever recognition of its kind in the country and a significant development for the Indian-American community as well as a tribute to India's rich heritage. I am confident that New Jersey, home to the highest number of Indian-Americans in the country, will honor its immigrant population by declaring "Diwali Month" each year. It has been my privilege to introduce this resolution as a tribute to my community and the rich traditions of India," said Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, the first Indian American to be elected to the New Jersey General Assembly.
Diwali is a festival of great significance to Indian-Americans and is celebrated annually by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains in New Jersey and throughout the United States.