IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 538 

Recognizing the historical, cultural, and religious significance of Sikh 

Americans, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

AUGUST 6, 2019 

Mr. COX of California (for himself, Mr. GARAMENDI, Ms. STEVENS, Mr. 

YOHO, and Ms. LOFGREN) submitted the following resolution; which was 

referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the historical, cultural, and religious significance 

of Sikh Americans, and for other purposes. 

Whereas Sikhs have been living in the United States for more 

than 120 years, and during the early 20th century thousands of Sikh Americans worked on farms, in lumber 

mills and mines, and on the Oregon, Pacific, and Eastern 

Railroad; 

Whereas Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world, 

there are more than 25,000,000 Sikhs worldwide, and 

more than 750,000 Sikh Americans; 

Whereas 2019 is the 550th birthday of the first of ten gurus 

and founders of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, and Guru 

Nanak’s Gurpurab, which is one of the most important 


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•HRES 538 IH 

dates in the Sikh calendar, is celebrated across this nation and worldwide; 

Whereas Vaisakhi, which is one of the most historically significant days of the year for Sikhs, is celebrated every 

April; 

Whereas Sikh men and women have notably contributed to 

American society since their arrival in the late 1800s; 

Whereas Sikh Americans pursue diverse professions that add 

to the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of the 

United States, including service as members of the 

United States Armed Forces and making significant contributions to our great nation in agriculture, information 

technology, small businesses, the hospitality industry, 

trucking, medicine, and technology; 

Whereas Sikh Americans, like Bhagat Singh Thind, served in 

the United States military during the World Wars and 

the first Asian American Congressman, Dalip Singh 

Saund, was a Sikh American elected to office in 1957; 

Whereas the inventor of fiber optics, Dr. Narinder Kapany, 

is a Sikh American, as is the Country’s largest peach 

grower, Didar Singh Bains; 

Whereas Sikh-American women continue to make diverse contributions, such as Grammy-winning artist Snatam Kaur, 

New York Police Department police officer Gursoach 

Kaur, and University of California, Berkeley professor 

Supreet Kaur; 

Whereas Sikh Americans distinguish themselves by fostering 

respect among all people through faith and service; 

Whereas the United States House of Representatives is committed to educating citizens about the world’s religions, 

the value of religious diversity, tolerance grounded in 


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•HRES 538 IH 

First Amendment principles, a culture of mutual understanding, and the importance of reducing violence; 

Whereas the United States House of Representatives 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 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the historical, cultural, and reli3 gious significance of Guru Nanak’s 550th birthday; 

4 (2) recognizes the contributions and sacrifices 

5 made by Sikh Americans; 

6 (3) recognizes the discrimination that Sikh 

7 Americans have faced in the United States and 

8 around the world; and 

9 (4) expresses its respect for all Sikhs who prac10 tice their faith. 

Æ 


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