US Congress brings resolution to observe April 14 as ‘National Sikh Day’

OBSERVE THAT THE SIKH COMMUNITY, WHICH BEGAN IMMIGRATING OVER 100 YEARS AGO, HAS PLAYED IMPORTANT ROLE IN DEVELOPING US

WASHINGTON: More than a dozen lawmakers, including Indian-american Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, have introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives to designate April 14 (Baisakhi ) of each year as the National Sikh Day.

Observing that the Sikh community, which began immigrating into the United States over 100 years ago, has played an important role in developing the US, he resolution supports the designation of ‘‘National Sikh Day’’ to honour and celebrate the important role played by the Sikh community in strengthening and inspiring the people of the United States. Sponsored by

Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, the resolution introduced in the House on March 28 was co-sponsored by over a dozen lawmakers: Karen Bass, Paul Tonko, Brian K Fitzpatrick, Daniel Meuser, Eric Swalwell, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Donald Norcross, Andy Kim, John Garamendi, Richard E Neal, Brendan F Boyle and David G Valadao. Both John Garamendi and David Valadao are Co-chairs of the Sikh Caucus. The resolution was welcomed by Sikh caucus committee, Sikh co-ordination committee and American Sikh Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (AGPC).

SGPC hails move

AMRITSAR: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on Thursday welcomed the US Congress resolution. Dhami termed the resolution as a matter of pride for the Sikh community.

He said Sikhs around the world have excelled in every filed with their hard work. “If the US Congress is recognising Baisakhi as the ‘National Sikh Day’, it is a tribute to the ideology of the Gurus and the establishment of Khalsa Panth,” said Dhami.