Bill Text: NJ AJR94 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Designates April 14th of each year as "Vaisakhi Day." *

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-03-25 - Substituted by SJR57 [AJR94 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2018-AJR94-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 94

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

218th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 15, 2018

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  LOUIS D. GREENWALD

District 6 (Burlington and Camden)

Assemblyman  RAJ MUKHERJI

District 33 (Hudson)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Designates April 14th of each year as "Vaisakhi Day."

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As amended by the General Assembly on February 25, 2019.

 

A Joint Resolution designating April 14th of each year as ¹["Sikh] "Vaisakhi¹ Day."

 

Whereas, The cultural and intellectual diversity of the State of New Jersey is a source of strength and inspiration for its people; and

Whereas, The Sikh community continues to play an integral, though often overlooked, role in strengthening the religious, social, and political fabric of this State; and

Whereas, Sikhism is the world's fifth largest religion with nearly 30 million adherents, roughly 500,000 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, regardless of race, gender, sex, or creed, is equal before God; and

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

Whereas, The religion's central principles of truthful living, service to humanity, and devotion to God also inspire its believers to create inclusive communities where all are respected; and

Whereas, Through leading charitable events and prominent political positions, including the offices of the Attorney General and the Mayor of Hoboken, New Jersey's Sikh community embodies the sense of public service that underlies this country's founding principles; and

Whereas, The people of New Jersey feel obliged to honor the Sikh community's important role in supporting and enriching the social fabric of this State; and

Whereas, Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi on the first day of the month of Vaisakh in the Sikh calendar, which typically falls on April 13th or 14th; and

Whereas, Vaisakhi is a special occasion in which Sikhs remember the founding in 1699 of the Khalsa Panth, a fellowship of devout ¹[soldier-saints] saint-soldiers¹, which played an important role in shaping the religion's history and identity; and

¹Whereas, Vaisakhi is celebrated throughout the United States and New Jersey by the Sikh community along with many regions of India and other parts of South and Southeast Asia; and¹

Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper for the people of New Jersey to celebrate the day of Vaisakhi alongside Sikhs throughout the world and to honor the lasting contributions made by the Sikh community in this State; now, therefore,

 

      1.   The day of April 14th of each year is designated as ¹["Sikh] "Vaisakhi¹ Day" in the State of New Jersey to honor and celebrate the important role played by the Sikh community in strengthening and inspiring the people of this State.

 

      2.   The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation designating the day of April 14th as ¹["Sikh] "Vaisakhi¹ Day" and shall call upon the public officials and citizens of this State to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.

 

     3.    This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.