Bill Text: IL SR0183 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Declares April 2021 as Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month in the State of Illinois.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-04-23 - Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Cristina Castro [SR0183 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-SR0183-Introduced.html

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SR0183 LRB102 17842 LAW 24301 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Sikhs have been living in the United States for
more than 100 years; during the early 20th century, thousands
of Sikh Americans worked on farms, in lumber mills and mines,
and on the Oregon, Pacific, and Eastern Railroads; and
WHEREAS, The Sikhs constitute a well-established,
religious, social, and ethnic group among the people who have
immigrated to Illinois and to the United States of America;
and
WHEREAS, Sikh immigrants have added greatly, both
culturally and economically, to the State of Illinois and the
United States while simultaneously continuing to maintain
their own culture and traditions; and
WHEREAS, Sikh Americans pursue diverse professions and
make rich contributions to the social, cultural, and economic
vibrancy of the State of Illinois and the United States,
including serving in the United States Armed Forces and
offering significant contributions in agriculture, information
technology, small businesses, the hotel industry, trucking,
medicine, and technology; and
WHEREAS, Sikhism is the fifth-largest religion in the

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world; today, there are more than 30 million Sikhs worldwide,
an estimated 500,000 Sikh Americans, and 25,000 Sikhs residing
in the State of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, This year marks the 400th birth anniversary of
the ninth Sikh guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, who was born on
April 18, 1621; and
WHEREAS, Sikh Americans have distinguished themselves by
fostering respect among all people through faith and service;
and
WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is committed to the value
of religious diversity, tolerance grounded in the First
Amendment principles, a culture of mutual understanding, the
diminution of violence, and educating citizens about the
world's religions; and
WHEREAS, The State of Illinois 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; and
WHEREAS, The State of Illinois honors the many ways that
Sikh Americans have influenced American history, achievement,
culture, and innovation; therefore, be it

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RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare April 2021
as Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month in the State of
Illinois; and be it further
RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
delivered to the Sikh Religious Society.