[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 18, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2247]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                         Commemorating Vaisakhi

  Mr. TOOMEY. Mr. President, I rise this afternoon to recognize and 
celebrate with my Sikh friends, my constituents, and friends from the 
Sikh community of Pennsylvania and beyond.
  I start with the acknowledgment that my pronunciation of certain 
words may be off, and I hope I will be forgiven.
  I am delighted to have so many wonderful representatives of the Sikh 
community here with us in Washington. I thank them. I thank Raj Singh 
and all of the members of the Sikh community of Pennsylvania who made 
this trip down to Washington, DC, to participate in a celebration for 
an important holiday and to raise awareness about the Sikh community.
  Sikhism has been around for nearly 600 years and originated in the 
Punjab region of India in the 15th century. Today, there are about 30 
million Sikhs who live in countries all around the world, making it one 
of the world's largest religions. Sikhism is rooted in the belief that 
every single person--every individual--regardless of race, gender, sex, 
or creed, is equal before God. Sikhism was introduced in the United 
States in the 19th century. Today, there are about 700,000 Sikhs who 
live in the United States, and a large number of Sikhs reside in 
Pennsylvania. In fact, there are several Sikh places of worship, known 
as gurdwara, and they are located throughout Pennsylvania--in 
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, and Erie.
  In my many travels across Pennsylvania, I have had an opportunity to 
meet with and get to know hard-working Sikh constituents. I can tell 
you they are close-knit, vibrant communities, deeply committed to their 
families--fully American while, at the same time, preserving some 
wonderful and often very old traditions. The Sikhs constitute a part of 
the rich, cultural fabric of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and I am 
grateful to them for what they add to my State.
  A few years back, I was proud to join the American Sikh Congressional 
Caucus. As a member of this caucus, we honor and recognize the Sikh 
holiday of Vaisakhi. The holiday itself is usually celebrated on the 
first day of the month of Vaisakhi, which just occurred last week on 
Saturday, April 14. Vaisakhi is a special occasion for Sikhs to 
remember the founding in 1699 of the Khalsa Panth. The Khalsa were a 
fellowship of devout ``saint-soldier'' Sikhs who played an important 
role in shaping the religion's history and its identity.
  The holiday also recognizes the spring harvest. Sikhs recognize this 
important holiday with parades, with dancing, with singing, and with 
other festivities, as well as with volunteer service, especially 
volunteering meals to those in need and other forms of community 
service.
  This year, the Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast, with the 
support of the U.S. Congressional Sikh Caucus, has organized a parade 
in Washington on May 19 to commemorate Vaisakhi as National Sikh Day. 
The theme of the parade is the Sikh identity, the Sikh culture, the 
Sikh way of life, and thousands of Sikhs from all over the United 
States will be participating.
  I am proud of the Sikh communities of Pennsylvania, and I wish the 
Sikh community much luck in the parade and a very joyous Vaisakhi.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.