Bill Text: NY J03303 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to recognize the cultural, religious, and interfaith importance of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as Living Guru of Sikhs

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-08-03 - REFERRED TO FINANCE [J03303 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J03303-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 3303

BY: Senator THOMAS

        MEMORIALIZING   Governor   Andrew   M.   Cuomo  to
        recognize the cultural,  religious,  and  interfaith
        importance  of  Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as "Living
        Guru" of Sikhs  in  promoting  peace  and  declaring
        Sikhs as a distinct ethnic and religious minority

  WHEREAS,  It  is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay just tribute to the cultural heritage of  the  ethnic  groups  which
comprise  and  contribute to the richness and diversity of the community
of the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and  in  keeping  with  its
time-honored  traditions,  it  is the intent of this Legislative Body to
memorialize  Governor  Andrew  M.  Cuomo  to  recognize  the   cultural,
religious,  and  interfaith  importance  of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as
"Living Guru" of Sikhs in promoting  peace  and  declaring  Sikhs  as  a
distinct ethnic and religious minority; and

  WHEREAS,  Founded  by  Guru Nanak in 15th Century Punjab, India, the
Sikh monotheistic  tradition  teaches  its  adherents  to  practice  the
universal  principles  of  truthful  living,  service  to  humanity, and
devotion to God; and

  WHEREAS, The Sikh community began immigrating to the  United  States
in  the  late  1800s and has played an important role in developing this
country and the State of New  York  while  enriching  American  culture,
history, economy, and diversity; and

  WHEREAS,  Sikhism  is  the  fifth largest religion in the world with
more than 25 million Sikhs worldwide, including more than 750,000 in the
United States; and

  WHEREAS, The religion's emphasis on loving service to humanity  also
inspires  Sikhs living in New York to make lasting social contributions,
such as providing free food to the less  fortunate  through  the  annual
"Let's Share a Meal" event in New York County; and

  WHEREAS,  The  10th  Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, left the world
and indicated to  the  generations  ahead  to  avoid  idol  worship  and
recognize  the  Shri  Guru  Granth  Sahib Ji, the principal scripture of
Sikhism, as the "Living and Eleventh Guru" of the Sikh religion; and

  WHEREAS, In a historic judgment delivered on  March  29,  2000,  the
Supreme  Court  of  India  declared  Guru Granth Sahib Ji as a "Juristic
Person," further justifying Guru Gobind Singh Ji's declaration  of  Shri
Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the "Living Guru"; and

  WHEREAS,  Although  Sikhs have made immense contributions throughout
history, they have long faced oppression and  discrimination  throughout
the rest of the world; and

  WHEREAS,  According  to the Sikh religion and history, Sikhs share a
unique set of beliefs and practices that are altogether  different  from
other religions; and

  WHEREAS,  The  United  Nations office of High Commissioner for Human
Rights has recognized Sikh Holy Scripture, Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, as
a scripture meant to promote the interfaith and inter-religious harmony,
peace and human rights; and

  WHEREAS, Gurumukhi, the Sikh mother language, is endangered in  most
parts of the world; and

  WHEREAS,  The  State  of New York is committed to educating citizens
about the world's religions, the value of religious diversity, tolerance
grounded  in  First  Amendment   principles,   a   culture   of   mutual
understanding, and the importance of reducing violence, all of which are
consistent with Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji's teachings; and

  WHEREAS, The State of New York 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
Sikhs and enforce  laws  for  access  to  equal  opportunity  of  humans
irrespective   of  their  caste,  creed,  color,  and  appearance;  now,
therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize   Governor  Andrew  M.  Cuomo  to  recognize  the  cultural,
religious, and interfaith importance of Shri Guru  Granth  Sahib  Ji  as
"Living  Guru"  of  Sikhs  in  promoting  peace and declaring Sikhs as a
distinct ethnic and religious minority; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That copies of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to  The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York; and Letitia James, Attorney General of the State of New York.