Bill Text: NJ SJR12 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Comm Sub

New Jersey Senate Joint Resolution 12

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

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-10-28 - Substituted by AJR46 (1R) [SJR12 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2024-SJR12-Comm_Sub.html

SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 12

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

221st LEGISLATURE

ADOPTED JUNE 20, 2024

Sponsored by:

Senator PATRICK J. DIEGNAN, JR.

District 18 (Middlesex)

Senator GORDON M. JOHNSON

District 37 (Bergen)

Co-Sponsored by:

Senator Greenstein

SYNOPSIS

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

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

Substitute as adopted by the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee.

A Joint Resolution designating October 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, There are over 1.1 billion Hindus in the world; and

Whereas, New Jersey has the highest percentage of Hindus in the United States; and

Whereas, Hinduism has influenced many different aspects of American culture and thought. Notable Hindu influences in New Jersey can be seen in philosophy, yoga, meditation, music, food, art, dance, and medicine; and

Whereas, Hindus are active participants in the New Jersey economy and are practitioners in all areas of the workforce, such as science, business, politics, technology, and academics; and

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 October 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.