256 US lawmakers back House resolution honouring Indian-Americans

Washington: US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi on Monday introduced a bipartisan resolution, backed by 256 members, in the House of Representatives honouring the contributions made by Indian Americans to the US.

The resolution also supports designating July as Indian-American Heritage Month.

Krishnamoorthi said Indian Americans have helped shape the US for generations, from breakthroughs that saved lives and businesses that created jobs to lifetimes of service in the military and public office.


"I'm proud to lead 256 of my colleagues in designating July as Indian American Heritage Month to honour that legacy and celebrate the many ways Indian Americans continue to enrich our country," Krishnamoorthi said in a statement.

More than 5.2 million Indian Americans call the United States home, and the resolution celebrates their contributions across science and medicine, technology and business, public service and the military, education and philanthropy, arts and culture, and athletics, the statement said.

The designation of July as Indian American Heritage Month commemorates the signing of the Luce-Celler Act by President Harry S. Truman on July 2, 1946, which made people of Indian descent eligible for naturalisation as American citizens.

The resolution also honours the Indian American community's religious and cultural diversity and the generations of Indian Americans who have contributed to the nation's cultural, economic, and civic life.