Bill Text: TX SR550 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing the festival of Vaisakhi.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2015-04-13 - Reported enrolled [SR550 Detail]
Download: Texas-2015-SR550-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, On April 13, 2015, members of the Sikh community | ||
are coming together in Texas and around the world to celebrate | ||
Vaisakhi, one of the most important dates on the Sikh | ||
calendar; and | ||
WHEREAS, Sikhism is the fifth-largest religion in the | ||
world, with more than 25 million adherents, including an | ||
estimated 700,000 in the United States; the majority of Sikhs | ||
live in the Punjab province of India, in the region where the | ||
religion was founded in the 15th century by Guru Nanak Dev; and | ||
WHEREAS, A monotheistic faith, Sikhism teaches respect for | ||
all people, regardless of race, religion, gender, or background; | ||
it stresses the importance of doing good in the world and | ||
demonstrating such positive values as humility, diligence, | ||
generosity, and self-sacrifice in daily life; and | ||
WHEREAS, Vaisakhi celebrates the founding in 1699 of the | ||
devout Sikh fellowship known as the Khalsa; Guru Gobind Singh | ||
bestowed on all Khalsa men the surname Singh, meaning "lion," as | ||
a reminder to be courageous, and women accepted the surname Kaur, | ||
or "princess," to emphasize dignity; and | ||
WHEREAS, The first Sikhs came to the United States in the | ||
1890s to build railroads, work on California farms, or labor in | ||
the lumber mills of the Pacific Northwest; since then, Sikh | ||
Americans in all walks of life have contributed to the social, | ||
cultural, and economic vibrancy of the United States; and | ||
WHEREAS, The festival of Vaisakhi presents an ideal | ||
opportunity to affirm the belief in justice, equality, and | ||
freedom that is cherished by all Americans and by Sikhs the world | ||
over; now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th | ||
Legislature, hereby commemorate the festival of Vaisakhi and | ||
extend to all Sikh Texans sincere best wishes for a meaningful | ||
and memorable observance. | ||
Menéndez | ||
________________________________ | ||
President of the Senate | ||
I hereby certify that the | ||
above Resolution was adopted by | ||
the Senate on April 13, 2015. | ||
________________________________ | ||
Secretary of the Senate | ||
________________________________ | ||
Member, Texas Senate |