A group of fifteen lawmakers, headed by Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, has put forward a resolution in the United States House of Representatives to declare January as Tamil Language and Heritage Month. This initiative aligns with the start of Pongal, a significant festival celebrated by the Tamil community.
“Being a Tamil-American, I am proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution celebrating Tamil language, heritage, and culture both in the United States and globally,” said Krishnamoorthi after presenting the resolution.
He was joined by five fellow Indian-American lawmakers—Ro Khanna, Ami Bera, Shri Thanedar, Pramila Jayapal, and Suhas Subramanyam—as co-sponsors. Additional co-sponsors included Nicole Malliotakis, Ilhan Omar, Yvette Clarke, Sara Jacobs, Deborah Ross, Danny Davis, Dina Titus, Don Davis, and Summer Lee.
“America is a vibrant mosaic of diverse languages, cultures, ideas, and traditions, and I sincerely hope this resolution will highlight the rich and unique heritage, as well as the remarkable contributions, of over 350,000 Tamil-Americans today,” said Krishnamoorthi.
He urged his fellow lawmakers to promptly consider the resolution, acknowledging the significant impact Tamil-Americans have made within their communities. With over 80 million speakers globally, Tamil is one of the world’s oldest languages. Tamil-Americans United PAC applauded the resolution, noting that it emphasizes the rich history of the ancient Tamil civilization and their significant contributions to the modern world.
“We encourage Tamil-Americans to actively and effectively participate in efforts to secure the successful passage of this legislation in the US Congress,” the statement read.
The Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America expressed strong support for Representative Krishnamoorthi’s resolution to establish Tamil Language and Heritage Month, stating, “As proud Tamil-Americans, we wholeheartedly back this initiative.”
“Tamils have much to offer to this great nation we call home, and highlighting our history, language, and culture will provide an opportunity to share our rich heritage in a meaningful way with our fellow citizens,” the organization added.
The US Tamil Action Group extended its gratitude to Krishnamoorthi and called on Congress to swiftly pass the resolution. In a statement, the group remarked, “Tamil-Americans deeply value our rich and ancient language, traditions, and culture, and we recognize the significant contributions we bring to the diverse and dynamic fabric of American society.” People for Equality and Relief in Lanka emphasized that the resolution brings attention to the deep historical roots and cultural richness of the Tamil people.
Source: The Economic Times
