INDIANAPOLIS/WASHINGTON (BALBIR SINGH)

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) today introduced the first Senate resolution honoring Sikh Americans. The resolution works to further diversity and afford all Americans the opportunity to better understand, recognize, and appreciate the rich history and shared experiences of Sikhs.

“This resolution honors Sikh Americans, a vital part of our Nation’s rich culture and diversity,” said Senator Young. “Indiana is home to more than 10,000 Sikhs and I am proud to introduce the first resolution ever introduced in the Senate in their honor. As the fifth largest religion in the world, Hoosier communities are made richer by their contributions.”

“Sikh Americans have been a proud part of the American story for generations and they continue to enrich our nation and the communities in which they live,” said Senator Cardin. “I thank the Sikh community for their ongoing social, cultural and economic contributions, and for their courage to stand up against racial and religious discrimination against their community and others.”

“Sikh Americans have been a proud part of the American story for generations and they continue to enrich our nation and the communities in which they live,” said Senator Cardin. “I thank the Sikh community for their ongoing social, cultural and economic contributions, and for their courage to stand up against racial and religious discrimination against their community and others.”

The resolution recognizes:

The historical, cultural, and religious significance of the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak; 
The contributions and sacrifices made by Sikhs of the United States.
The discrimination that Sikhs of the United States have faced in the United States and around the world;
And expresses respect for all Sikhs who practice their faith.

RESOLUTION Recognizing the historical, cultural, and religious significance of the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak and the contributions and sacrifices made by Sikhs of the United States. Whereas Sikhs have been living in the United States for more than 120 years; Whereas, during the early 20th century, thousands of Sikhs of the United States worked on farms, in lumber mills and mines, and on the Oregon, Pacific, and Eastern Railroad; Whereas Sikhism is a monotheistic religion and the fifth largest religion in the world with— (1) more than 25,000,000 Sikhs worldwide; and (2) almost 1,000,000 Sikhs in the United States; 2 PAT19930 S.L.C. N1V 2W YZY Whereas 2019 is the year of the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak, the first of 10 gurus and founders of Sikhism; Whereas the Gurpurab of Guru Nanak— (1) is 1 of the most important dates on the Sikh calendar; and (2) is celebrated across the United States and worldwide; Whereas Vaisakhi, which is 1 of the most historically significant days of the year for Sikhs— (1) is celebrated on April 14; and (2) is the day on which Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10th Guru of Sikhism, created the Warrior Saint tradition of the volunteer soldier known as ‘‘Khalsa’’; Whereas the Sikh place of worship is known as Gurdwara Sahib, and there are more than 500 Gurdwaras Sahib across the United States; Whereas a hallmark of Sikh values and tradition is the community kitchen in every Gurdwara, known as the ‘‘Langar’’, where food is served, for free, to all visitors to the Gurdwara regardless of faith, religion, or background; Whereas Sikh men and women have contributed to the society of the United States since the initial arrival of Sikhs in the United States in the late 1800s; Whereas Sikhs of the United States pursue diverse professions that add to the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of the United States, including— (1) by serving as members of the Armed Forces; and (2) by making significant contributions to agriculture, information technology, other technology, small 3 PAT19930 S.L.C. N1V 2W YZY businesses, the hospitality industry, trucking, and medicine; Whereas Sikhs of the United States, such as Bhagat Singh Thind, served in the United States military during the World Wars; Whereas notable Sikhs of the United States include—

(1) Dalip Singh Saund, the first Asian-American Congressman, who was elected to office in 1957; (2) Dr. Narinder Kapany, the inventor of fiber optics; (3) Didar Singh Bains, the largest peach grower in the United States; and (4) Gurinder Singh Khalsa, recipient of the prestigious Rosa Parks Trailblazer Award; Whereas Sikhs stand for— (1) equality of gender; (2) equality of race; and (3) freedom of faith; Whereas Hoosier Sikhs are 1 of the fastest growing business communities in Indiana; Whereas Sikh women of the United States continue to make diverse contributions, including women such as— (1) Grammy-winning artist Snatam Kaur; (2) New York Police Department police officer Gursoach Kaur; and (3) University of California, Berkeley professor Supreet Kaur; Whereas Sikhs of the United States distinguish themselves by fostering respect among all people through faith and service; 4 PAT19930 S.L.C. N1V 2W YZY Whereas Sikhism preaches a message of devotion, truthful living, equality of mankind, and social justice; Whereas the Senate is committed to providing education to the people of the United States about— (1) the religions of the world; (2) the value of religious diversity; (3) tolerance grounded in the principles of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; (4) a culture of mutual understanding; and (5) the importance of reducing violence; and Whereas the Senate seeks to further diversity in the Senate community and afford all people of the United States the opportunity to better understand, recognize, and appreciate the rich history and shared experiences of Sikhs of the United States: Now, therefore, be it 1 Resolved, That the Senate— 2 (1) recognizes— 3 (A) the historical, cultural, and religious 4 significance of the 550th birthday of Guru 5 Nanak; 6 (B) the contributions and sacrifices made 7 by Sikhs of the United States; and 8 (C) the discrimination that Sikhs of the 9 United States have faced in the United States 10 and around the world; and 11 (2) expresses respect for all Sikhs who practice 12 their faith.