DELAWARE STATE SENATE

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 11

PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF APRIL 2021 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: 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 mines, in lumber mills, 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; and

WHEREAS, Sikhs, who originated in Punjab, India, began residing in Delaware in the 1970s; and

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

WHEREAS, Vaisakhi is one of the most historically significant days of the year for Sikhs and will be celebrated on April 14, 2021, making April a culturally and religiously prominent month for Sikhs; and

WHEREAS, the year 2021 is the 552nd birthday of the first of 10 gurus and founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, which is celebrated by Sikhs in Delaware and worldwide as Guru Nanak's Gurpurab and is one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar; 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 those who are homeless, those facing food insecurity, veterans, and others in need; and

WHEREAS, Sikh Americans have distinguished themselves by fostering respect among all people through faith and service, including by organizing annual interfaith peace walks in Newark; and

WHEREAS, the Sikh American community in Delaware has brought positive attention to its members and to all of Delaware by organizing and hosting North America's largest annual intercollegiate Bhangra and Fusion dance competition; and

WHEREAS, many industries, especially the retail, healthcare, transportation, and information technology industries, in Delaware have significantly benefitted from the contributions of the Sikh community; and

WHEREAS, since September 11, 2001, Sikhs have been victims of mistaken identity and racial discrimination because of their beards and turbans, and have been 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 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 151st General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the month of April 2021 is proclaimed “Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month” in the State of Delaware.

SYNOPSIS

This Senate Concurrent Resolution proclaims the month of April 2021 as “Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month” in the State of Delaware.

Author: Senator Townsend