[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 52 (Wednesday, April 14, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E545]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       COMMEMORATION OF VAISAKHI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 14, 2010

  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in commemoration of Vaisakhi, 
a festival celebrating the founding of the Khalsa Sikh community in 
1699. It has special significance for Sikhs because the tenth guru, 
Guru Gobind Singh, chose Vaisakhi as the occasion to formalize the Sikh 
identity and religious practice by forming the Khalsa, the body of 
initiated Sikhs. Vaisakhi also marks the new solar year and harvest 
season.
  I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize the 
contributions American Sikhs make to our society. According to the 2000 
Census, more than 650,000 Sikhs live in the United States, and more 
than 250,000 reside in my home state of California. Throughout history, 
American Sikhs have made great contributions to our cultural landscape, 
the government, business and civil sector, as well as the military. In 
1956, the Hon. Dalip Singh Saund was the first Sikh, Asian- or Indian- 
American elected to the House of Representatives. In addition to making 
great progress for racial equality and diversity in American 
government, Rep. Saund was instrumental in ending statutory 
discrimination against Asian- and Indian-Americans by working to grant 
naturalization rights for immigrants from the Philippines and India. 
Around the country, Sikhs serve as mayors, business leaders, athletes, 
actors and other leadership positions.
  It is my honor to rise today to recognize the Sikh festival of 
Vaisakhi and recognize the achievements and contributions of all 
American Sikhs to our country.

                          ____________________