Assembly Resolution No. 271

BY: M. of A. Miller MG

CONGRATULATING the Sikh community upon the
occasion of celebrating the 550th Birthday of Guru
Nanak Dev

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to congratulate the Sikh
community upon the occasion of celebrating the 550th Birthday of Guru
Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism; 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 with the highest population in New York and
California; 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, In Punjab, India, on Friday, November 23, 2018, the Punjab
Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh launched year-long preparations
for the celebrations of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev,
which will take place in November of 2019; and

WHEREAS, The celebration urges the Sikh community to reconnect with
the teachings, principles and ideals of Guru Nanak Dev; and

WHEREAS, Vaisakhi, celebrated on April 14, 2019, marks the Punjabi
New Year and is one of the most historically significant days of the
year for Sikhs; and

WHEREAS, 2019 is the 550th 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, The State of New York is greatly enriched by its large
population of Sikh Americans; 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
congratulate the Sikh community upon the occasion of celebrating the
550th Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Sikh community as they celebrate this auspicious
occasion.