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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS Sikhs have been an influential and impactful part of |
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Texas since before the turn of the twentieth century, and have |
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persevered and flourished while contributing to the growth and |
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success of the Lone Star State, and |
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WHEREAS, Sikhism is the fifth-largest religion with nearly 30 |
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million adherents worldwide, including nearly one million who make |
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their home in the United States and over 50,000 in Texas alone; a |
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monotheistic and relatively young faith, it was founded just over |
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500 years ago in the Punjab region of South Asia, and a number of its |
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followers immigrated to the U.S. in the late 1800s and a large |
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number sought refuge here to escape violence in the 1980s; and |
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WHEREAS, The Sikh religion centers around the idea of |
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oneness, the concept of divine unity, and the belief that every |
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human being is equal in the eyes of God; in demonstrating the core |
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values of their faith, Sikhs strive to live their lives with honesty |
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and integrity, and to stand up for truth, justice, fairness and |
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egalitarianism; and |
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WHEREAS, The Sikh community regularly engages in Sewa - |
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Selfless Service - a uniquely Sikh tradition of community service |
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to serve humanity as a way of everyday life; a defining example |
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being UNITED SIKHS, a United Nations affiliated Humanitarian Aid & |
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Advocacy Organization that has served in over 50 natural and |
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man-made disasters globally and in Texas including Hurricanes |
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Harvey, Irma, and Katrina; positively impacting both the economic |
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condition of the communities in which they reside as well as help |
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uplift and empower those same communities which they call home; and |
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WHEREAS in April, Sikhs around the world celebrate Baisakhi, |
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the day of creation of the Khalsa, in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh, |
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which cemented the disciplines, traditions, and articles of the |
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Sikh faith, and |
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WHEREAS, During the observance of Baisakhi, which falls on |
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April 14th, 2023, Sikhs visit their place of worship known as a |
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Gurdwara, read their eternal scripture - The Guru Granth Sahib, and |
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take part in parades and martial arts processions known as Nagar |
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Kirtans; moreover, large celebrations take place globally |
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including in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, the birthplace of the Khalsa; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Sikh Americans have made a welcome contribution to |
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our nation through their many good deeds and achievements, and the |
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joyous occasion of Baisakhi provides a fitting opportunity to |
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recognize the vibrant Sikh community that resides in the Lone Star |
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State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, that the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize the Sikh Baisakhi festival, and extend |
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best wishes to the Sikh community across Texas for a joyous |
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celebration and meaningful observance of this occasion. |