LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the estab-
lishment of the State of Gujarat to be celebrated June 1, 2010

WHEREAS, The State of New York is fortunate to have in its midst a
substantial number of citizens who trace their origins to India; today,
there are approximately 250,000 Gujaratis are living in the State of New
York; and
WHEREAS, When the sons and daughters of other Nations move to the
United States, the traditions they carry with them greatly enrich and
strengthen the American population; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 50th
Anniversary of the establishment of the State of Gujarat to be cele-
brated June 1, 2010; and
WHEREAS, On May 1, 1960, Gujarat was created out of the 17 northern
districts of the former State of Bombay; and
WHEREAS, The capital of Gujarat is Gandhinagar, and its largest city
is Ahmedabad; home to 55 million Gujarati speaking people of India, the
State encompasses major sites of the Indus Valley Civilization such as
Lothal, one of the world's first ports and Dholavira; and
WHEREAS, Almost one in five Indians in the United State is Gujarati;
Gujarati constitutes the largest emigrant group from India and in the
United States alone, more than 25% of the Indian Americans hail from the
State of Gujarat; and
WHEREAS, Gujaratis play important roles in many New York businesses
and industries including retail, diamond, and motel, to name a few; and
WHEREAS, The State of Gujarat was the home of Mahatma Gandhi, the
Father of a Nation, who professed, practiced and propagated the philoso-
phy of non-violence which is now recognized universally as a moral force
for change; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Gujarat's own Ms. Sunita Williams successfully
completed a mission in space, and India's wealthiest and world's fifth
richest man, according to Forbes Magazine, Mr. Mukesh Ambani also hails
from Gujarat State; the land also gave birth to leaders like Sardar
Patel, Morarji Desai, Dr.Vikram Sarabhai, Dhirubhai Ambani; and
WHEREAS, Gujaratis own more than 17,000 hotels in America and contrib-
ute over $40 billion in revenue to the hospitality industry; and
WHEREAS, Today, the State of Gujarat has made substantial amounts of
progress in various issues for example, economy, education, research and
development; and
WHEREAS, The State of Gujarat has, through its rich culture, deep
rooted heritage and colorful vibrancy, compelled everyone to look at
this State with awe and respect; and
WHEREAS, As Gujarat observes its Golden Jubilee entitled "Swarnim
Gujarat Day", the celebrations are not only past achievements such as
the glorious journey Gujarat has been through over the years and for
landmark achievements across sectors but also for visions, a vision of
an even better Gujarat, a vision of prosperous Gujarat, a vision where
every Gujarati person is educated, a vision where every Gujarati person
is healthy, a vision of a clean Gujarat, a vision of a Green Gujarat,
and a vision of modern Gujarat; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the State of
Gujarat to be celebrated June 1, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Gujarat community of Queens, New York.