Expressing support for the designation of the month of January, as "Tamil Language and Heritage Month".
H. Res. 41 is a non-binding House resolution introduced in the 119th Congress that expresses both support and intent for designating January as “Tamil Language and Heritage Month.” As a resolution, it does not create new law or authorize spending; rather, it conveys Congress’s endorsement and signals the importance of recognizing Tamil language, culture, and heritage at the federal level. The measure emphasizes Tamil’s long history (more than 2,600 years), highlights recent archaeological findings in Tamil Nadu, and notes Tamil’s global presence (official language in three countries and dozens of millions of speakers worldwide, including about 360,000 in the United States as of 2023). It also highlights the Pongal festival as a mid-January celebration of harvest, and cites Tamil literary works as enduring cultural assets. The resolution points to state-level proclamations and recognitions of Tamil heritage/months as supportive context and invites broader public awareness and education about Tamil contributions to the United States.
Key Points
- 1The resolution expresses support for designating January as “Tamil Language and Heritage Month,” making it a formal, symbolic recognition by the House.
- 2It cites Tamil’s long history (over 2,600 years), evidence of urban civilization in Keeladi (3rd century BCE), and its status as an official language in three countries, with a large global and U.S. Tamil-speaking population (about 360,000 in the U.S. as of 2023).
- 3It highlights Pongal, celebrated in mid-January, as a festival marking harvest and Tamil cultural traditions, and notes the broader cultural contributions of Tamil Americans.
- 4It references notable Tamil literary works (e.g., Thirukkural, Tholkappiyam, Silappatikaram, Manimegalai) as enduring cultural assets that have been translated into many languages.
- 5It acknowledges that several states have already issued proclamations or recognized January as Tamil Heritage Month, illustrating growing recognition of Tamil culture across the United States, and it states the House’s intent to recognize and honor this heritage.