Speech and Testimony
County Executive Leggett’s Remarks at the Diwali Celebration
Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville
As prepared
Namaste and Good evening! On behalf of the residents of Montgomery County, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to our 7th annual Diwali celebration!
I want to thank the community sponsors and other supporters who brought this beautiful event to fruition for the Hindu Community.
I am overwhelmed at the number in attendance this evening. This celebration draws larger crowds every year because the South Asian community is one of the fastest growing, strongest, and most vibrant communities in Montgomery County.
When I first became County Executive, we did not have a Diwali celebration in our office. But, your community spoke up and I am now proud to be speaking at our seventh celebration.
The South Asian community was also very vocal about the Sister Cities Program.
Due to the strength of the Indian American Community in Montgomery County, I was very happy to sign our fourth Sister City agreement two years ago this month with Hyderabad, India during a visit where I was joined by Delegate Aruna Miller; Montgomery College President Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard, now-County Council President Nancy Floreen, and several County reps and business leaders.
I would also like to congratulate the community for your advocacy efforts finally paying off! Your community made history as the Unites States Postal Office, this year, released a Diwali Stamp, the result of an initiative that was launched by an Indian-American physician based in Maryland in 2001.
This a great example of the growing power of the Indian American community.
What is great about our County is that residents of all backgrounds, heritage, and religions can come together to celebrate a common theme of dispelling darkness through light.
I applaud the community for coming together in the spirit of friendship and mutual understanding to recognize the diversity that lies within our County.
I would like to thank the Office of Community Partnerships; the Diwali planning committee; volunteers; and community sponsors for contributing both time and money for this celebration.
I would like to invite you on stage along with the elected officials/dignitaries in the room to capture a group picture.
I wish you all a Happy Diwali with peace, health and prosperity. I look forward to continuing our work together in making Montgomery County the most welcoming community in the nation.
# # #
Release ID: 16-070
7 p.m.