Washington, Nov. 7 -- From state capitals to the Oval Office, high-ranking American leaders have marked the festival of Diwali by offering a resounding affirmation of the profound cultural, economic and civic contributions made by the Indian American community.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson praised the state's demographic makeup while officially commemorating the holiday, stating, "We are proud to be home to one of the largest shares of Indian Americans in the country, and we have seen this community contribute so much to our state. We're so proud of these contributions. So, with that in mind, I was proud to sign a proclamation declaring November 8, 2026, as Diwali, the Festival of Lights Day here in Washington State."

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