Bill Text: NY J02676 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2020, as Sikh Awareness Month in the State of New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-01-28 - ADOPTED [J02676 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J02676-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2676

BY: Senator THOMAS

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        April  2020, as Sikh Awareness Month in the State of
        New York

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of  this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize
official  months that are set aside to increase awareness of the diverse
cultures that make up the communities throughout the State of New  York;
and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
memorialize  Governor  Andrew  M.  Cuomo to proclaim April 2020, as Sikh
Awareness Month in the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS, Sikhs have been living in the United States for  more  than
100  years,  and  during  the  early  20th  Century,  thousands  of Sikh
Americans worked on farms, in lumber mills and mines, and on the Oregon,
Pacific & Eastern Railroad; and

  WHEREAS, Sikhism is the fifth largest  religion  in  the  world  and
today,  there  are more than 30 million Sikhs worldwide and an estimated
500,000 Sikh Americans; and

  WHEREAS, Vaisakhi is one of the most historically  significant  days
of the year for Sikhs and is celebrated on April 13, 2020; and

  WHEREAS,  2020  is  the  551st birthday of the first of 10 gurus and
founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak; this day is celebrated for Sikhs in  New
York State and worldwide as Guru Nanak's Gurpurab and is one of the most
important dates in the Sikh calendar; and

  WHEREAS,  Sikh  Americans  pursue diverse professions, and make rich
contributions to the social, cultural,  and  economic  vibrancy  of  the
United  States,  including service as members of the United States Armed
Forces and significant contributions to our great nation in agriculture,
information technology, small businesses, the hotel industry,  trucking,
medicine, and technology; and

  WHEREAS,   Sikh  Americans  distinguished  themselves  by  fostering
respect among all people through faith and service; 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 diminution of violence; and

  WHEREAS, Today, 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 Sikh Americans; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize  Governor  Andrew  M.  Cuomo to proclaim April 2020, as Sikh
Awareness Month in the State of New York; an be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the  State  of
New York.