[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 126 (Friday, September 24, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1953-E1954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 300TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF KHALSA PANTH'S BIRTH

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                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 24, 1999

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Khalsa Panth's 
300th birth anniversary. Khalsa Panth was born April 13, 1699 and is a 
figure of the Sikh community.
  The purpose of founding the Khalsa was to spread righteousness and to 
uproot the repression and injustice; to create love and harmony amongst 
humankind and to end evil hatred. Khalsa stands for gender equality; to 
instill self-confidence; to live a humble life with self-respect and 
serve the society as its honorable Sant Sipahi.
  The guidelines to the Sikh religion are as follows: Sikh's must have 
honest earnings, worship only one god, and share with the needy. They 
may only perform Sikh religious ceremonies and should meditate on God's 
name everyday. Sikh's must not commit any one of the four misdeeds: 
cutting or shaving of the hair, drinking alcohol, using any intoxicant, 
and using adultery. Sikh's must give service to the religious 
congregation without expecting

[[Page E1954]]

anything in return. They must not worship idols, graves and mortals. 
Sikh's must always be ready to defend the weak and fight for justice 
and freedom.
  There are five symbols that have both practical and spiritual meaning 
for the Sikh's. Unshorn hair means moral and spiritual strength. A 
wooden comb is to keep the hair neat and tidy. The Sikh must always 
wear a turban and women must keep their heads covered with traditional 
heading or a turban. An Iron bracelet reminds a Sikh that he must keep 
himself away from bad deeds. Special tailored shorts remind a Sikh that 
he is not to indulge in adultery. A sword on the person of an 
Amritdhardi Sikh represents freedom. Last is political sovereignty. 
This reminds a Sikh of his duty to stand for truth, justice and 
righteousness.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Khalsa Panth's 300th birth 
anniversary. I urge my colleagues to join me in wishing the Sikh 
community many more years of continued success and happiness.

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