PRINTER'S NO. 3571
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
846
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY QUINN, APRIL 16, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, APRIL 16, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of April 2020 as "Sikh Heritage Month" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Sikhism is one of the most widely practiced
religions in the world; and
WHEREAS, Today there are approximately 30 million Sikhs
worldwide and an estimated 700,000 Sikh Americans; and
WHEREAS, Sikhs have been living in the United States for more
than 100 years, and, during the early 20th century, thousands of
Sikh Americans worked on farms, in lumber mills and mines and on
the Oregon Pacific and Eastern Railroad; and
WHEREAS, Sikh Americans pursue diverse professions and make
rich contributions to the social, cultural and economic vibrancy
of the United States, including as members of the United States
Armed Forces, and contribute significantly to agriculture,
information technology, small businesses, the hotel industry,
trucking, medicine and technology; and
WHEREAS, Sikh Americans have distinguished themselves by
fostering respect among all people through faith and service;
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and
WHEREAS, This year marks the 551st birth year of the founder
of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, and is celebrated as Guru Nanak Prakash
Utsav; and
WHEREAS, Sikhs celebrate four of the main festivals as
Gurupurab, and this collective celebration is one of the most
sacred festivals on the Sikh calendar and marks the important
incidents in the lives of the Gurus; and
WHEREAS, Vaisakhi, also known as Baisakhi, is one of the most
historically significant days of the year, marking the start of
a new year for Sikhs and is celebrated on April 14; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is committed to educating citizens
about the world's religions, the value of religious diversity,
tolerance grounded in First Amendment principles, a culture of
mutual understanding and the diminution of violence; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth seeks to further the diversity of
its communities and afford all residents the opportunity to
better understand, recognize and appreciate the rich history and
shared experiences of Sikh Americans; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of April 2020 as "Sikh Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania.
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