SR0225 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0225 LRB103 32097 MST 61102 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The United States is enriched by the diversity of its residents who have cultivated a climate of social tolerance and intellectual pluralism that has sustained the nation throughout its history; and

WHEREAS, The Sikh community, which originated in Punjab, India and began immigrating into the United States over 100 years ago, has played an important role in developing Illinois and the United States; and

WHEREAS, Sikhism is the world's fifth-largest religion, with nearly 30,000,000 adherents, roughly 1,000,000 of whom call the United States home; and

WHEREAS, Founded by Guru Nanak in the Punjab region of India during the 15th century, the Sikh spiritual tradition is rooted in the belief that every person is equal, regardless of race, gender, sex, or creed; and

WHEREAS, Believing that every person shares a connection through the idea of oneness, the Sikh community emerged as a force for social justice by encouraging female participation in religious services and initiating interfaith efforts to combat oppression and injustice; and

WHEREAS, The Sikh religion's central principles of truthful living, service to humanity, and devotion to the divine being that all faiths worship inspire its believers to create inclusive communities where all are respected; and

WHEREAS, Through leading charitable events, the Sikh community embodies the sense of public service that underlies the founding principles of the United States; and

WHEREAS, The Sikh community has played an important role in supporting and enriching the social fabric of the State; and

WHEREAS, Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi, also known as Baisakhi, on the first day of the month of Vaisakhi in the Sikh calendar, which typically falls on April 14; and

WHEREAS, Vaisakhi is a special occasion in which Sikhs remember the founding in 1699 of the Order of Khalsa, a fellowship of devout saint-soldier Sikhs, by the 10th Sikh Guru to fight tyranny and oppression, which played an important role in shaping the religion's history and identity; and

WHEREAS, It is altogether fitting and proper to celebrate the day of Vaisakhi alongside Sikhs throughout the world and to honor the lasting contributions made by the Sikh community to the State of Illinois and the United States; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare the month of April 2023 as "Sikh Heritage Month" in the State of Illinois to bring attention to those of the Sikh religion and celebrate their contributions to the State of Illinois.