IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1214 

Recognizing the accomplishments and contributions of Sikh Americans and 

Sikhs worldwide. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

NOVEMBER 12, 2020 

Mr. COSTA (for himself and Mr. GARAMENDI) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the accomplishments and contributions of Sikh 

Americans and Sikhs worldwide. 

Whereas Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak who exhorted 

to his followers to— 

(1) remember God; 

(2) earn their living by honest means; and 

(3) share it with the less fortunate; 

Whereas Guru Nanak proclaimed that all men and women 

are equal, and criticized caste inequality and other forms 

of social injustice; 

Whereas 2019 marked the 550th anniversary of the birth of 

Guru Nanak; 

Whereas Sikhism teaches peace, reconciliation, and overcoming differences to build community; 


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•HRES 1214 IH 

Whereas Sikhism is the world’s fifth largest religion, with 

more than 25,000,000 followers worldwide and about 

1,000,000 in the United States; 

Whereas Sikhs first arrived in the United States in 1899, 

and many early pioneers worked to build the Nation’s 

railroads and other pieces of critical infrastructure; 

Whereas, by 1910, many Sikh pioneers had begun agriculture 

enterprises and helped feed the people of the United 

States; 

Whereas the first Sikh gurdwara was established in Stockton, 

California, in 1912, and continues to operate in the 

present day; 

Whereas there are now more than 200 gurdwaras in the 

United States; 

Whereas Sikhs have fought courageously for and alongside 

the United States in every conflict since World War I; 

Whereas despite these undeniable contributions to American 

society, Sikhs have faced discrimination in the United 

States; 

Whereas World War I veteran Bhagat Singh Thind courageously campaigned for the right of Sikhs and East Indians to become citizens, but was denied this right by the 

Supreme Court in the 1923 case United States v. Bhagat 

Singh Thind; 

Whereas legislation to authorize Sikhs and other East Indian 

immigrants to naturalize as United States citizens was 

not enacted until 1946; 

Whereas, in 1957, Dalip Singh Saund became the first Sikh 

American, the first Indian American, and the first Asian 


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American elected to the United States House of Representatives; 

Whereas Sikh Americans today still face attacks on their 

identity and culture, including hate crimes that tragically 

claim lives, as in Elk Grove, California, in 2011 and Oak 

Creek, Wisconsin, in 2012; 

Whereas despite this troubling history, Sikh Americans today 

have overcome these challenges to become successful in 

all aspects of American life and openly celebrate their 

culture through events at gurdwaras, parades, and festivals; 

Whereas members of the Sikh community continue to make 

outstanding contributions to the economic vibrancy of the 

region in industries including agriculture, transportation, 

education, medicine, and retail; 

Whereas the Sikh community’s generous philanthropy has assisted many and serves as a testimony of the commitment 

of Sikhs to the teachings of Guru Nanak and their love 

of country; 

Whereas Sikh elected officials increasingly and proudly represent their respective communities in public office; 

Whereas the patriotic efforts of Lieutenant Colonel Kamal 

Kalsi helped open the door to Sikhs serving their country 

in the Armed Forces while maintaining their religious 

traditions and culture; 

Whereas an increasing number of Sikh young people have 

been inspired by Lieutenant Colonel Kalsi’s example and 

have enlisted in the Armed Forces in recent years; and 

Whereas Sikh Americans have been an invaluable part of the 

United States for more than a century, and the Sikh 

American community continues to make unique cultural 


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contributions that enrich the diversity of American life: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the discrimination that Sikhs 

3 have faced and continue to face in the United States 

4 and elsewhere, and condemns all acts of bias and ha5 tred against the Sikh community; 

6 (2) expresses its respect and gratitude for the 

7 contributions of all Sikh Americans, both historically 

8 and in the present day; and 

9 (3) encourages all Americans to recognize and 

10 celebrate the unique history and culture of the Sikh 

11 community. 

Æ 


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