Bill Text: CA SCR93 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Chaptered

California Senate Concurrent Resolution 93 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: California Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2014-08-28 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 135, Statutes of 2014. [SCR93 Detail]

Download: California-2013-SCR93-Chaptered.html

BILL NUMBER: SCR 93	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER  135
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  AUGUST 28, 2014
	ADOPTED IN SENATE  AUGUST 7, 2014
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 25, 2014
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 9, 2014

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Corbett

                        MARCH 3, 2014

   Relative to California Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation
Month.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 93, Corbett. California Hindu American Awareness and
Appreciation Month.
   This measure would designate the month of October 2014 as
California Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month. The
measure would also recognize and acknowledge the significant
contributions made by Californians of Hindu heritage to our state. By
adoption of this resolution, the Legislature seeks to increase
awareness and understanding of the Hindu American community.



   WHEREAS, California and the nation have been influenced by the
extraordinary cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity
of its residents; and
   WHEREAS, There is an estimated one billion Hindus worldwide, and
more than 2 million Hindu Americans live across the nation; and
   WHEREAS, California is home to the largest Hindu American
population in the United States; and
   WHEREAS, Hindu Americans in California represent diverse ethnic
backgrounds, including individuals of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi,
Malaysian, Indonesian, Afghani, Nepali, Bhutanese, Sri Lankan,
Fijian, Caribbean, and European descent; and
   WHEREAS, California and our nation have greatly benefited from
Hindu Americans, especially through the Vedanta philosophy, Ayurvedic
medicine, classical Indian art, dance, music, meditation,
literature, and community service; and
   WHEREAS, The United States was officially introduced to Hinduism
by Swami Vivekananda in 1893 at the World's Parliament of Religions
in Chicago, and in 1900 he founded the Vedanta Society in San
Francisco, California; and
   WHEREAS, The first Hindu temple in the United States was built in
San Francisco, California, and at the dedication of the temple on
January 7, 1906, it was proclaimed to be the "First Hindu Temple in
the Whole Western World"; and
   WHEREAS, There are now over 120 Hindu temples, religious centers,
and cultural centers throughout California, and the greater bay area
is home to over 40 of those temples and centers; and
   WHEREAS, Hindu Americans have greatly enriched California's higher
education university systems by teaching numerous students,
especially in the academic fields of astrophysics, computer science,
engineering, law, planetary science, psychology, and neurosciences;
and
   WHEREAS, Hindu Americans share the entrepreneurial spirit of
America and contribute to California's economic vitality, having been
pioneers and leaders in Silicon Valley and founded several of its
early startups; and
   WHEREAS, Hindu Americans have also contributed to many of
California's economic sectors and particularly excelled in the areas
of business, information technology, medicine, and science; and
   WHEREAS, California Hindu temples, organizations, and individuals
actively engage in seva, a Sanskrit word for selfless service,
towards their fellow human beings through charity, public service,
and the provision of free medical and legal services; and
   WHEREAS, Hindu Americans in cities throughout California celebrate
numerous holidays and festivals, such as Diwali, which celebrates
the victory of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance; and
   WHEREAS, Hindu Americans promote the ideals of tolerance,
pluralism, and religious freedom, which are inherent to their beliefs
and respect the diversity of all faiths; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the month
of October 2014 as California Hindu American Awareness and
Appreciation Month; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes and acknowledges the
significant contributions made by Californians of Hindu heritage to
our state, and by adoption of this resolution, seeks to increase
awareness and understanding of the Hindu American community; and be
it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.