[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 173 (Thursday, October 31, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 393--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

  Mr. YOUNG (for himself and Mr. Cardin) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                              S. Res. 393

       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;
       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 businesses, 
     the hospitality industry, trucking, and medicine;
       Whereas Sikhs of the United States served in the United 
     States military during the World Wars;
       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 Sikhs of the United States distinguish themselves 
     by fostering respect among all people through faith and 
     service;
       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
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes--
       (A) the historical, cultural, and religious significance of 
     the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak;
       (B) the contributions and sacrifices made by Sikhs of the 
     United States; and
       (C) the discrimination that Sikhs of the United States have 
     faced in the United States and around the world; and
       (2) expresses respect for all Sikhs who practice their 
     faith.

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