DELAWARE STATE SENATE

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 3

PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF APRIL 2017 AS “SIKH AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION MONTH” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, Delaware and our nation are at once blessed and enriched by the unparalleled diversity of our residents; and

WHEREAS, the Sikhs, who originated in Punjab, India, first entered Delaware in the 1970s; and

WHEREAS, the first Sikh temple (Gurdwara) in Delaware was established in 1990 in Elsmere; and

WHEREAS, the Sikh religion is based on a belief in one God and universal equality; and

WHEREAS, the Sikh American community in Delaware has led and participated in many interfaith and charitable endeavors benefiting all Delawareans, with a particular emphasis on helping homeless populations and others in need; and

WHEREAS, Delaware’s Sikh community has always been involved in efforts aiming to enhance understanding and respect among people of different religions by leading and participating in interfaith thanksgiving prayers at various places of worship, inviting various faith leaders and members of their congregations to Sikh temples (Gurdwaras), and going to places of worship of other faiths and denominations to share prayers and services and educate each other about respective faiths, history, traditions, scriptures, and underlying beliefs and values; and

WHEREAS, many industries in Delaware, especially the retail, automobile repair and service, food, education and research, healthcare, transportation, and information technology industries, have significantly benefitted from the contributions of the Sikh community; and

WHEREAS, the State of Delaware stands with the Sikh community in denouncing hate crimes directed towards any individual on account of their religious beliefs; and

WHEREAS, since September 11, 2001, the Sikhs are often mistaken for Taliban or followers of Al Qaida, owing to the commonality of their beards and turbans, and subjected to a disproportionately high rate of hate crimes, and Sikh boys suffer bullying at twice the national bullying rate for other boys; and

WHEREAS, the Sikh American community continues to peacefully overcome attacks on its identity and practices, whether in the form of school harassment, employment discrimination, or fatal shootings, including the murders of 6 Sikhs during the Oak Creek, Wisconsin Sikh Gurdwara shooting on August 5, 2012, and the shooting of a Sikh man that occurred in Kent, Washington on March 3, 2017, in addition to over 30 other hate crimes that have occurred nationwide since the September 11 attacks; and

WHEREAS, the faithful service of the Sikh American community to Delaware and the United States merits appreciation as an integral thread in the fabric of American plurality.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 149th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the month of April 2017 is proclaimed “Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month” in the State of Delaware.

SYNOPSIS

This Concurrent Resolution proclaims the month of April 2017 as “Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month” in the State of Delaware.

Author: Senator Townsend