[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 182 (Thursday, November 14, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6612-S6613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 427--RECOGNIZING THE HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, AND 
    RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE OF SIKH AMERICANS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

                              S. Res. 427

       Whereas Sikhs have been living in the United States for 
     more than 120 years, and during the early 20th century, 
     thousands of Sikh Americans worked on farms, in lumber mills 
     and mines, and on the Oregon, Pacific, and Eastern Railroad;
       Whereas Sikhs in the United States and around the world 
     live the values and ideals of equality, service, and devotion 
     to God first preached by the first of the ten living gurus 
     and the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak;
       Whereas the devotion of Guru Nanak to spiritual matters led 
     him to embark on a 24-year spiritual journey throughout South 
     Asia and to places outside South Asia, including Tibet, 
     Baghdad, and Mecca;
       Whereas Guru Nanak was the first of the ten living gurus 
     whose wisdom is now contained in the Guru Granth Sahib, and 
     the teachings of Guru Nanak became the basis of Sikhism;
       Whereas 2019 is the year of the 550th birthday of Guru 
     Nanak, and Guru Nanak's Gurpurab, which is one of the most 
     important dates in the Sikh calendar, is celebrated across 
     the United States and worldwide;
       Whereas Vaisakhi, which is one of the most historically 
     significant days of the year for Sikhs, is celebrated every 
     April;
       Whereas Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world, 
     and there are more than 25,000,000 Sikhs worldwide and more 
     than 750,000 Sikh Americans;
       Whereas Sikh men and women have notably contributed to the 
     society of the United States since their arrival in the 
     United States in the late 1800s;
       Whereas Sikh Americans pursue diverse professions that add 
     to the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of the United 
     States, including by serving as members of the Armed Forces 
     and making significant contributions in the fields of 
     agriculture, information technology, small business, 
     hospitality, trucking, medicine, and technology;
       Whereas Sikh Americans, such as Bhagat Singh Thind, served 
     in the Armed Forces during World War I and World War II;
       Whereas the first Asian-American Member of Congress, Dalip 
     Singh Saund, was a Sikh American elected to office in 1957;
       Whereas Gurbir Singh Grewal became the first Sikh-American 
     State attorney general

[[Page S6613]]

     in the history of the United States when he was confirmed by 
     the State Legislature of New Jersey on January 16, 2018;
       Whereas Lieutenant Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal was the first 
     observant Sikh to serve in the Harris County Sheriff's Office 
     and was one of the first observant Sikhs in the State of 
     Texas to receive a policy accommodation to practice his 
     religion while serving as a police officer, and on Friday, 
     September 27, 2019, in Houston, Texas, Lieutenant Dhaliwal 
     was killed by gunfire while serving in the line of duty;
       Whereas Sikh-American women, such as Grammy-winning artist 
     Snatam Kaur, Officer Gursoach Kaur of the New York City 
     Police Department, and Professor Supreet Kaur of the 
     University of California, Berkeley, continue to make diverse 
     contributions to the United States;
       Whereas the inventor of fiber optics, Dr. Narinder Kapany, 
     and the largest peach grower in the United States, Didar 
     Singh Bains, are Sikh Americans;
       Whereas Sikh Americans distinguish themselves by fostering 
     respect among all people through faith and service;
       Whereas the Senate is committed to educating citizens about 
     the religions of the world, the value of religious diversity, 
     tolerance grounded in the principles of the First Amendment 
     to the Constitution of the United States, a culture of mutual 
     understanding, and the importance of reducing violence; and
       Whereas the Senate seeks to further the diversity of its 
     community and afford all residents the opportunity to better 
     understand, recognize, and appreciate the rich history and 
     shared experiences of Sikh Americans: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the historical, cultural, and religious 
     significance of the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak;
       (2) recognizes that the teachings of Guru Nanak on equality 
     and service have inspired millions of people and can serve as 
     an inspiration for people of all faiths;
       (3) recognizes the invaluable contributions and sacrifices 
     made by Sikh Americans;
       (4) recognizes the discrimination that Sikh Americans have 
     faced in the United States and around the world; and
       (5) expresses its respect for all Sikhs who practice their 
     faith.

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