“For too long, students from New York’s Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities have had to choose between their faith and their education on Diwali. With the signing of legislation to make Diwali an official school holiday, families across the city can finally celebrate the Festival of Lights without interruption. I’m proud to be a longtime supporter of making Diwali a school holiday, including co-sponsoring a resolution by former Council Member Danny Dromm in support of this goal during the last Council session. As Speaker, I was thrilled to finally pass the resolution, now sponsored by Council Member Linda Lee, which was especially meaningful for me and my colleagues who fought tirelessly for this outcome. I am grateful to my colleagues in government, advocates, and community leaders for their persistence and commitment to push this bill across the finish line, and Governor Hochul for signing it into law.”

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