PRINTER'S NO. 3316
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
819
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY SANTORA, MICCARELLI, DAVIDSON, HENNESSEY, NEILSON,
HILL-EVANS, McCLINTON, MURT, DAVIS, ROTHMAN, CHARLTON,
DiGIROLAMO, SCHLOSSBERG, MILLARD, CALTAGIRONE, MARSICO AND
SCHWEYER, APRIL 11, 2018
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 11, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing April 14, 2018, as the observance of "Vaisakhi" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Vaisakhi is a holiday observed by Sikhs throughout
the world, celebrating the spring harvest and commemorating the
1699 gathering at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, India, when the
founding of the Sikh family of soldier saints known as Khalsa
Panth occurred; and
WHEREAS, The Sikh faith, which was established in the Punjab
region of India in the 1400s, persevered and expanded, with Guru
Gobind Singh founding the Khalsa Panth, a new order of Sikhism,
in 1699; and
WHEREAS, The Sikh people have a renowned military history
marked by gallantry and self-sacrifice that is epitomized by the
heroic last stand at the Battle of Saragarhi; and
WHEREAS, The Battle of Saragarhi was fought on September 12,
1897, between the 36th Sikh Regiment of British India, defending
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an army post, and 10,000 Afghan and Orakzai tribesmen; and
WHEREAS, When the British commander notified the 21 Sikhs,
led by Havildar Ishar Singh, that timely reinforcement was
impossible, they chose not to abandon the fort but instead to
stand and fight to the death; and
WHEREAS, Details of the fight were continuously relayed to
the command as the Sikhs died gallantly, one by one, delaying
the Afghan attack so severely that the invading force was
eventually repulsed; and
WHEREAS, The British Parliament rendered the Sikhs a standing
ovation upon hearing the accounts and Queen Victoria stated,
"The British, as well as the Indians, are proud of the 36th Sikh
Regiments. It is no exaggeration to record that the armies which
possess the valiant Sikhs cannot face defeat in war"; and
WHEREAS, All 21 Sikhs who died at Saragarhi were awarded the
Indian Order of Merit, equivalent to the Victoria Cross; and
WHEREAS, Today the Sikh people, now numbering in the tens of
millions worldwide, mark Vaisakhi with parades, dancing, singing
and other festivities; and
WHEREAS, The Sikh community of Pennsylvania, part of the rich
cultural fabric of this Commonwealth, makes many valuable
contributions as its members work in a variety of professions
and businesses and contribute to their local communities;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize April
14, 2018, as the observance of "Vaisakhi" in Pennsylvania.
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