Bill Text: NJ AJR203 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Designates October of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-12-14 - Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd Reading [AJR203 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2022-AJR203-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 203

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

220th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED DECEMBER 5, 2022

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  ROBERT J. KARABINCHAK

District 18 (Middlesex)

Assemblyman  STERLEY S. STANLEY

District 18 (Middlesex)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Benson

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Designates October of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Assembly State and Local Government Committee on December 14, 2023, with amendments.

  

A Joint Resolution, designating ¹[January] October¹ of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey.

 

Whereas, Hinduism is the world's oldest religion, dating back to a time between 3000-8000 BCE; and

Whereas, Among many practices, Hindus believe in karma, reincarnation, non-violence, and the spiritual nature of living beings; and

Whereas, Hindus believe in a divine higher power that takes form in many deities, such as Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha, Devi, Krishna, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Durga and Kali; and

Whereas, There are many holidays celebrated throughout the year in which Hindus honor various deities, but the most well-known in the United States are Diwali and Holi; and

Whereas, Diwali, the Festival of Lights, celebrates Lakshmi, who is the goddess representing wealth and good fortune; and

Whereas, Holi, the Festival of Colors, is a holiday that honors the beginning of spring, in which bonfires are lit and colored paste and water is thrown on those celebrating; and

Whereas, Hindus have made enormous contributions to cultural development throughout history, including significant achievements in math, science, and medicine used in the modern world; and

Whereas, There are over 1.1 billion Hindus in the world; and

Whereas, About three percent of New Jersey's population is Hindu, making New Jersey the state with the highest percentage in the United States; and

¹[Whereas, The largest Hindu temple in the world, called BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, is located in Robbinsville, New Jersey; and]¹

Whereas, New Jersey has a large and vibrant Hindu community that deserves recognition for their rich and noteworthy history and cultural contributions to this State; now, therefore,

 

     Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    The month of ¹[January] October¹ of each year is designated as "Hindu Heritage Month" in the State of New Jersey. 

 

     2.    The Governor is requested to annually issue a proclamation calling on the public officials and citizens of this State to observe "Hindu Heritage Month" with appropriate activities and programs.

 

     3.    This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.