CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Senate Resolution No. 95Introduced by Senator CorteseJune 21, 2022 Relative to Sikhism. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSR 95, as introduced, Cortese. Digest KeyBill TextWHEREAS, California is home to a diverse population with rich cultural heritage of varying ethnic groups that contribute to the richness and diversity of the state; andWHEREAS, According to founder by Guru Nanak in 15th Century Punjab, the Sikh monotheistic tradition teaches its adherents to practice the universal principles of truthful living, service to humanity, and devotion to God; andWHEREAS, The Sikh community began immigrating to the United States in the late 1800s and has played an important role in developing this country and the State of California while enriching American culture, history, economy, and diversity; andWHEREAS, Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world with more than 25,000,000 Sikhs worldwide, including more than 750,000 in the United States; andWHEREAS, Sikhism places a primary focus on equality and the oneness of humanity and encourages those to practice seva meaning self-service, such as providing free food to the less fortunate in the community or helping at the Gurdwara, including cleaning, washing dishes, or serving in the langar meaning the kitchen where all are welcome to sit and eat together; andWHEREAS, According to Sikhism, the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, left the world and indicated to the generations ahead to avoid idol worship and recognize the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the principal scripture of Sikhism, as the Living and Eleventh Guru of the Sikh religion; andWHEREAS, Although Sikhs have made immense contributions throughout history, they have long faced oppression and discrimination throughout the rest of the world; andWHEREAS, the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is written in Gurmukhi, commonly referred to as Sikh Script; andWHEREAS, The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights document, 18 Commitments on Faith for Rights, included teaching and scripture from the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji meant to promote the interfaith and interreligious harmony, peace, and human rights; andWHEREAS, According to the Sikh religion and history, Sikhs share a unique set of beliefs, practices and ancestry that are altogether different from other existing religions; andWHEREAS, The value and tolerance of religious diversity grounded in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the states promotion of a culture of mutual understanding, and the importance of reducing violence, all of which are consistent with Sikhism and the teachings of the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji; now, therefore, be itResolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate 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 Sikhs; and be it furtherResolved, That the Senate recognizes the cultural, religious, and interfaith importance of the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the Living Guru of Sikhs in promoting peace and declaring Sikhs as a distinct ethnic and religious minority; and be it furtherResolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Senate Resolution No. 95Introduced by Senator CorteseJune 21, 2022 Relative to Sikhism. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSR 95, as introduced, Cortese. Digest Key
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Resolution
No. 95
Introduced by Senator CorteseJune 21, 2022
Introduced by Senator Cortese
June 21, 2022
Relative to Sikhism.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SR 95, as introduced, Cortese.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
WHEREAS, California is home to a diverse population with rich cultural heritage of varying ethnic groups that contribute to the richness and diversity of the state; and
WHEREAS, According to founder by Guru Nanak in 15th Century Punjab, the Sikh monotheistic tradition teaches its adherents to practice the universal principles of truthful living, service to humanity, and devotion to God; and
WHEREAS, The Sikh community began immigrating to the United States in the late 1800s and has played an important role in developing this country and the State of California while enriching American culture, history, economy, and diversity; and
WHEREAS, Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world with more than 25,000,000 Sikhs worldwide, including more than 750,000 in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Sikhism places a primary focus on equality and the oneness of humanity and encourages those to practice seva meaning self-service, such as providing free food to the less fortunate in the community or helping at the Gurdwara, including cleaning, washing dishes, or serving in the langar meaning the kitchen where all are welcome to sit and eat together; and
WHEREAS, According to Sikhism, the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, left the world and indicated to the generations ahead to avoid idol worship and recognize the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the principal scripture of Sikhism, as the Living and Eleventh Guru of the Sikh religion; and
WHEREAS, Although Sikhs have made immense contributions throughout history, they have long faced oppression and discrimination throughout the rest of the world; and
WHEREAS, the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is written in Gurmukhi, commonly referred to as Sikh Script; and
WHEREAS, The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights document, 18 Commitments on Faith for Rights, included teaching and scripture from the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji meant to promote the interfaith and interreligious harmony, peace, and human rights; and
WHEREAS, According to the Sikh religion and history, Sikhs share a unique set of beliefs, practices and ancestry that are altogether different from other existing religions; and
WHEREAS, The value and tolerance of religious diversity grounded in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the states promotion of a culture of mutual understanding, and the importance of reducing violence, all of which are consistent with Sikhism and the teachings of the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate 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 Sikhs; and be it further
Resolved, That the Senate recognizes the cultural, religious, and interfaith importance of the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the Living Guru of Sikhs in promoting peace and declaring Sikhs as a distinct ethnic and religious minority; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.