HR 123 — A Resolution recognizing the month of April 2025 as "Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month" in Pennsylvania to promote public awareness of the Sikh faith, recognize the important contributions of the Sikh community and combat anti-Sikh bigotry.

PRINTER'S NO.   980

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 123
                                              Session of
                                                2025

     INTRODUCED BY CURRY, HARKINS, HILL-EVANS, GIRAL, BURGOS,
        KENYATTA, VENKAT, McNEILL, HOHENSTEIN, KAZEEM, MALAGARI,
        SANCHEZ AND KHAN, MARCH 17, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, MARCH 17, 2025


                               A RESOLUTION
 1   Recognizing the month of April 2025 as "Sikh Awareness and
 2      Appreciation Month" in Pennsylvania to promote public
 3      awareness of the Sikh faith, recognize the important
 4      contributions of the Sikh community and combat anti-Sikh
 5      bigotry.
 6      WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is enriched by the diversity of its
 7   residents who have cultivated a climate of social tolerance and
 8   intellectual pluralism that has sustained this Commonwealth
 9   throughout its history; and
10      WHEREAS, Founded by Guru Nanak in 15th century Punjab, India,
11   the Sikh monotheistic tradition teaches its adherents to
12   practice the universal principles of truthful living, service to
13   humanity and devotion to God; and
14      WHEREAS, The Sikh community began immigrating to the United
15   States in the late 1800s and has played an important role in
16   developing this country and this Commonwealth while enriching
17   American culture, history, economy and diversity; and
18      WHEREAS, Sikhism is the world's fifth-largest religion, with
19   nearly 30 million adherents worldwide, including roughly 1
 1   million in the United States; and
 2      WHEREAS, Believing that every human being, regardless of
 3   race, gender or creed, is equal in the eyes of God, Sikhism
 4   emerged as a pioneer of social justice, with female
 5   participation in religious ceremonies widely encouraged and
 6   interfaith efforts to fight oppression regularly pursued; and
 7      WHEREAS, The religion's emphasis on loving service to
 8   humanity also inspires Sikhs in this Commonwealth to make
 9   lasting social contributions, such as providing free food to the
10   less fortunate; and
11      WHEREAS, Despite their progressive principles and charitable
12   deeds, the American Sikh community commonly experiences
13   discrimination, often by individuals who are unaware of the
14   beliefs and practices of the faith; and
15      WHEREAS, Sikhs disproportionately experience school bullying,
16   with estimates indicating that more than 50% of all Sikh
17   children, and about 67% of turbaned-Sikh children, endure
18   physical or verbal abuse while at school; and
19      WHEREAS, Nearly 60% of Americans admit to knowing nothing
20   about the religion or its practitioners, and national rates of
21   anti-Sikh bigotry rose dramatically following the September 11th
22   terrorist attacks; and
23      WHEREAS, Deadly assaults against the Sikh community, such as
24   the hate-inspired murder of six worshipers at the Sikh Gurdwara
25   of Wisconsin in August 2012, have also become all-too-common
26   occurrences across the country; and
27      WHEREAS, Although the Sikh community continues to peacefully
28   overcome each attack on its cultural identity, the Commonwealth
29   wants to increase public awareness of Sikh faith and memorialize
30   the lasting contributions of its Sikh residents; and

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 1      WHEREAS, During the early 20th century, thousands of Sikh
 2   Americans worked on farms, in lumber mills and mines and on the
 3   Oregon, Pacific and Eastern Railroad; and
 4      WHEREAS, Sikh Americans pursue diverse professions and make
 5   rich contributions to the social, cultural and economic vibrancy
 6   of the United States, including service as members of the United
 7   States Armed Forces and significant contributions to our great
 8   nation in agriculture, information technology, small businesses,
 9   the hotel industry, trucking, medicine and technology; and
10      WHEREAS, Sikh Americans distinguished themselves by fostering
11   respect among all people through faith and service; and
12      WHEREAS, The Commonwealth is committed to educating residents
13   about the world's religions, the value of religious diversity,
14   tolerance grounded in First Amendment principles, a culture of
15   mutual understanding and the diminution of violence; and
16      WHEREAS, Because Vaisakhi, an annual festival that is held in
17   April to commemorate the creation of the Khalsa Panth, a
18   fellowship of devout Sikhs, is one of the most important Sikh
19   holidays, it is all together fitting and proper for the
20   Commonwealth to recognize the month of April as "Sikh Awareness
21   and Appreciation Month" in order to celebrate its Sikh community
22   and combat anti-Sikh bigotry; therefore be it
23      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
24   month of April 2025 as "Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month"
25   in Pennsylvania to promote public awareness of the Sikh faith,
26   recognize the important contributions of the Sikh community and
27   combat anti-Sikh bigotry.




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