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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Sikhs have been living in the United States for
3more than 100 years; during the early 20th century, thousands
4of Sikh Americans worked on farms, in lumber mills and mines,
5and on the Oregon, Pacific, and Eastern Railroads; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The Sikhs constitute a well-established,
7religious, social, and ethnic group among the people who have
8immigrated to Illinois and to the United States of America;
9and
 
10    WHEREAS, Sikh immigrants have added greatly, both
11culturally and economically, to the State of Illinois and the
12United States while simultaneously continuing to maintain
13their own culture and traditions; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Sikh Americans pursue diverse professions and
15make rich contributions to the social, cultural, and economic
16vibrancy of the State of Illinois and the United States,
17including serving in the United States Armed Forces and
18offering significant contributions in agriculture, information
19technology, small businesses, the hotel industry, trucking,
20medicine, and technology; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Sikhism is the fifth-largest religion in the

 

 

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1world; today, there are more than 30 million Sikhs worldwide,
2an estimated 500,000 Sikh Americans, and 25,000 Sikhs residing
3in the State of Illinois; and
 
4    WHEREAS, This year marks the 400th birth anniversary of
5the ninth Sikh guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, who was born on
6April 18, 1621; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Sikh Americans have distinguished themselves by
8fostering respect among all people through faith and service;
9and
 
10    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is committed to the value
11of religious diversity, tolerance grounded in the First
12Amendment principles, a culture of mutual understanding, the
13diminution of violence, and educating citizens about the
14world's religions; and
 
15    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois seeks to further the
16diversity of its community and afford all residents the
17opportunity to better understand, recognize, and appreciate
18the rich history and shared experiences of Sikh Americans; and
 
19    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois honors the many ways that
20Sikh Americans have influenced American history, achievement,
21culture, and innovation; therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare April 2021
3as Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month in the State of
4Illinois; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
6delivered to the Sikh Religious Society.