Efforts in US House to Honor January as Tamil Heritage Month
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Synopsis
On January 15, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi introduced a resolution in the US House to declare January as Tamil Language and Heritage Month, coinciding with the Pongal festival. The resolution aims to celebrate Tamil culture and contributions in the US.
Key Takeaways
- Raja Krishnamoorthi introduced a resolution in the US House.
- The resolution aims to declare January as Tamil Language and Heritage Month.
- This designation coincides with the Pongal festival.
- Over 350,000 Tamil Americans contribute to US culture.
- Several states have recognized January as Tamil Heritage Month.
Washington, Jan 15 (NationPress) Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Indian American politician, put forth a resolution in the US House of Representatives on Tuesday aimed at designating January as Tamil Language and Heritage Month. This resolution aligns with Pongal, a significant Tamil festival celebrated in mid-January.
“As a Tamil American, I take pride in presenting this bipartisan resolution that honors the Tamil language, heritage, and culture both in the United States and globally,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi expressed.
“The United States is a rich tapestry of various languages, cultures, traditions, and ideas, and I sincerely hope this resolution will highlight the vibrant and unique culture, along with the remarkable achievements of the over 350,000 Tamil Americans today. I urge my colleagues in Congress to promptly consider this resolution to acknowledge the contributions of Tamil Americans to our communities.”
Joining Krishnamoorthi in presenting this resolution were other lawmakers including Republican Nicole Malliotakis and Democrats Shri Thanedar, Ro Khanna, Suhas Subramanyam, Pramila Jayapal, Ami Bera, Ilhan Omar, Yevette Clark, Sara Jacobs, Deborah Ross, Danny Davis, Dina Titus, Don Davis, and Summer Lee.
The resolution proposes that the House of Representatives: 1) supports the designation of “Tamil Language and Heritage Month”; 2) recognizes the role of Tamil Americans in enriching the diversity of the United States; and 3) acknowledges the importance of Pongal, a harvest celebration for the Tamil community.
By recognizing January as Tamil Language and Heritage Month, the resolution aims to allow “the people of the United States to commemorate the rich history, language, and culture of the Tamil people and inspire all Americans to learn about the contributions of Tamil Americans to the cultural fabric of the Nation.”
States such as North Carolina, Wisconsin, Virginia, and Minnesota have already acknowledged January as Tamil Heritage Month, with Michigan, Georgia, and Massachusetts issuing proclamations to honor the cultural contributions of the Tamil community, as stated in the resolution.
