| |
|
|
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 550
|
|
|
WHEREAS, On April 13, 2015, members of the Sikh community |
|
|
are coming together in Texas and around the world to celebrate |
|
|
Vaisakhi, one of the most important dates on the Sikh |
|
|
calendar; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Sikhism is the fifth-largest religion in the |
|
|
world, with more than 25 million adherents, including an |
|
|
estimated 700,000 in the United States; the majority of Sikhs |
|
|
live in the Punjab province of India, in the region where the |
|
|
religion was founded in the 15th century by Guru Nanak Dev; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, A monotheistic faith, Sikhism teaches respect for |
|
|
all people, regardless of race, religion, gender, or background; |
|
|
it stresses the importance of doing good in the world and |
|
|
demonstrating such positive values as humility, diligence, |
|
|
generosity, and self-sacrifice in daily life; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Vaisakhi celebrates the founding in 1699 of the |
|
|
devout Sikh fellowship known as the Khalsa; Guru Gobind Singh |
|
|
bestowed on all Khalsa men the surname Singh, meaning "lion," as |
|
|
a reminder to be courageous, and women accepted the surname Kaur, |
|
|
or "princess," to emphasize dignity; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The first Sikhs came to the United States in the |
|
|
1890s to build railroads, work on California farms, or labor in |
|
|
the lumber mills of the Pacific Northwest; since then, Sikh |
|
|
Americans in all walks of life have contributed to the social, |
|
|
cultural, and economic vibrancy of the United States; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The festival of Vaisakhi presents an ideal |
|
|
opportunity to affirm the belief in justice, equality, and |
|
|
freedom that is cherished by all Americans and by Sikhs the world |
|
|
over; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th |
|
|
Legislature, hereby commemorate the festival of Vaisakhi and |
|
|
extend to all Sikh Texans sincere best wishes for a meaningful |
|
|
and memorable observance. |
| |
|
|
Menéndez |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
|
President of the Senate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I hereby certify that the |
|
|
|
above Resolution was adopted by |
|
|
|
the Senate on April 13, 2015. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
|
Secretary of the Senate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
|
Member, Texas Senate |