Senate Resolution No. 1071

BY: Senator COMRIE

COMMENDING The Sikh Cultural Society, Inc. upon
the occasion of hosting the Annual Sikh Day Parade
on April 22, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with
its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those
organizations which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of
cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of
New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend The Sikh Cultural Society, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting the
Annual Sikh Day Parade in New York City; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of President, Kuldip Singh
Dhillon, The Sikh Cultural Society is an umbrella organization which
represents the Sikh Punjabi Community of the Tri-State area of New York,
New Jersey and Connecticut; and

WHEREAS, On Saturday, April 22, 2017, members of the Sikh community
will gather along Madison Avenue in New York City to watch this colorful
parade and celebrate Vaisakhi, one of the most important dates on the
Sikh calendar; and

WHEREAS, Sikhism is the fifth-largest religion in the world, with
more than 25 million adherents, including an estimated 700,000 in the
United States; the majority of Sikhs live in the Punjab province of
India, in the region where the religion was founded in the 15th Century
by Guru Nanak Dev; and

WHEREAS, A monotheistic faith, Sikhism teaches respect for all
people, regardless of race, religion, gender, or background; it stresses
the importance of doing good in the world and demonstrating such
positive values as humility, diligence, generosity, and self-sacrifice
in daily life; and

WHEREAS, Vaisakhi celebrates the founding in 1699 of the devout Sikh
fellowship known as the Khalsa; Guru Gobind Singh bestowed on all Khalsa
men the surname Singh, meaning "lion," as a reminder to be courageous,
and women accepted the surname Kaur, or "princess," to emphasize
dignity; and

WHEREAS, The first Sikhs came to the United States in the 1890s to
build railroads, work on California farms, or labor in the lumber mills
of the Pacific Northwest; since then, Sikh Americans in all walks of
life have contributed to the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of
the United States; and

WHEREAS, The State of New York and our Nation are blessed with many
citizens of the Sikh community who are distinguished by their excellence
and their contributions to all fields of endeavor; and

WHEREAS, The festival of Vaisakhi presents an ideal opportunity to
affirm the belief in justice, equality, and freedom that is cherished by
all Americans and by Sikhs the world over; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend The Sikh Cultural Society, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting the
Annual Sikh Day Parade; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Kuldip Singh Dhillon, President, The Sikh Cultural
Society, Inc.