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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Sikhs have been living in the United States for
3more than 100 years, and during the early 20th century,
4thousands of Sikh Americans worked on farms, in lumber mills
5and mines, and on the Oregon, Pacific, and Eastern Railroads;
6and
 
7    WHEREAS, The Sikhs constitute a well-established,
8religious, social, and ethnic group among the people who have
9immigrated to Illinois and to the United States of America; and
 
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 in the State of
3Illinois; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Sikh Americans have distinguished themselves by
5fostering respect among all people through faith and service;
6and
 
7    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is committed to the value of
8religious diversity, tolerance grounded in the First Amendment
9principles, a culture of mutual understanding, the diminution
10of violence, and educating citizens about the world's
11religions; and
 
12    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois seeks to further the
13diversity of its community and afford all residents the
14opportunity to better understand, recognize, and appreciate
15the rich history and shared experiences of Sikh Americans; and
 
16    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois honors the many ways that
17Sikh Americans have influenced American History, achievement,
18culture, and innovation; therefore, be it
 
19    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
20HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
21we designate the month of April 2019 as Sikh Awareness and

 

 

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1Appreciation Month in Illinois; and be it further
 
2    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
3delivered to the Sikh Religious Society.