Bill Text: VA HJR330 | 2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled

Virginia House Joint Resolution 330 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Commending the Raj Khalsa Gurdwara.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-03-04 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ330ER) [HJR330 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2020-HJR330-Enrolled.html

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 330 Commending the Raj Khalsa Gurdwara.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 2, 2020 Agreed to by the Senate, March 4, 2020

WHEREAS, the Raj Khalsa Gurdwara in Sterling has served the Sikh community in Northern Virginia for more than 50 years; and

WHEREAS, originally known as the Ahimsa Ashram, the Raj Khalsa Gurdwara was established by Yogi Bhajan in Washington, D.C., to help community members lead happier, healthier lives by teaching the principles and practices of Sikh and yogic traditions; and

WHEREAS, in 1970, the Ahimsa Ashram opened the Golden Temple Conscious Cookery, a vegetarian restaurant that served local residents for 10 years; the community continued to grow and expand, establishing a Khalsa preschool in 1978 and subsequently founding the Miri Piri Academy in India; and

WHEREAS, after members of the community relocated from Washington, D.C., to the Herndon and Great Falls areas, a Gurdwara temple was established on Export Drive in Sterling in 1980 and later renamed the Raj Khalsa Gurdwara; and

WHEREAS, the Raj Khalsa Gurdwara strives to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and friendship, where approximately 400 to 500 members can enjoy fellowship, worship and opportunities for service; and

WHEREAS, as part of the rich cultural fabric of the Commonwealth, the members of Raj Khalsa Gurdwara, make many valuable contributions as leaders in a variety of professions, businesses, and community organizations; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Raj Khalsa Gurdwara for its decades of service to its members; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Raj Khalsa Gurdwara as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the temple's contributions to the Loudoun County community.