119-hres659

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 659 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

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119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 659

Expressing support for the designation of August 15, 2025, as ``Indian 
 Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of the World's Two 
 Largest Democracies''.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 August 15, 2025

Mr. Thanedar (for himself, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Sherman, and Mr. 
Landsman) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
 Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

Expressing support for the designation of August 15, 2025, as ``Indian 
 Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of the World's Two 
 Largest Democracies''.

Whereas the Republic of India achieved its independence from the British Empire 
 on August 15, 1947, marking the end of the struggle which freed the 
 Indian people;
Whereas, on said day, Jawaharlal Nehru, the inaugural Prime Minister of India, 
 hoisted the Indian national flag above the Lahore Gate of the Red Fort 
 in Delhi;
Whereas members of India's numerous ethnic groups, minorities, and religions 
 including Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians, all participate in the 
 celebration of Independence Day;
Whereas, according to United Nations population estimates, India is the largest 
 democracy in the world, with an estimated population of more than 
 1,464,000,000 people;
Whereas India's contributions to democracy have inspired leaders and movements 
 across the globe, including civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, 
 Jr.;
Whereas India, along with the United States, embraces a system where the 
 ultimate authority to govern is vested in the people;
Whereas these and other ideals have forged a close bond between our two nations 
 and their peoples;
Whereas India is a strategic partner in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue

    (QUAD) and the I2U2 Group, seeking to promote topics like security, 
 economic, and humanitarian issues;
Whereas Prime Minister Modi's Official State Visits to the United States during 
 his tenure has anchored the United States and India in a new level of 
 trust and mutual understanding based on common interests and shared 
 commitments to freedom, democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, and 
 respect for human rights;
Whereas Americans with Indian heritage enhance public life in the United States 
 as government officials, military personnel, and law enforcement 
 officers who diligently uphold the principles of the United States 
 Constitution and contribute to the enriching diversity of the Nation; 
 and
Whereas it is proper and desirable to celebrate with the Indian people, and to 
 reaffirm the democratic principles on which our two nations were born: 
 Now, therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

    (1) expresses support for the designation of ``Indian 
 Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of the World's 
 Two Largest Democracies'';

    (2) offers heartfelt greetings to the people of India as 
 they conclude their festivities commemorating the 78th 
 anniversary of India's liberation from the British Empire;

    (3) acknowledges the contributions of Americans of Indian 
 descent to society in the United States; and

    (4) expresses the belief that the strong partnership 
 between the United States and India, rooted in shared 
 democratic values, will continue to advance global democracy 
 and foster peace, stability, and prosperity for all nations.
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