| 1 | 1 | | 23 LC 112 1661 |
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| 2 | 2 | | H. R. 701 |
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| 3 | 3 | | - 1 - |
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| 4 | 4 | | House Resolution 701 |
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| 5 | 5 | | By: Representatives McDonald of the 26 |
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| 6 | 6 | | th |
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| 7 | 7 | | , Jones of the 25 |
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| 8 | 8 | | th |
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| 9 | 9 | | , Jasperse of the 11 |
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| 10 | 10 | | th |
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| 11 | 11 | | , Clark of the |
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| 12 | 12 | | 100 |
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| 13 | 13 | | th |
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| 14 | 14 | | , and Cox of the 28 |
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| 15 | 15 | | th |
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| 16 | 16 | | |
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| 17 | 17 | | A RESOLUTION |
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| 18 | 18 | | Condemning Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry; and for other purposes. |
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| 19 | 19 | | 1 |
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| 20 | 20 | | WHEREAS, Hinduism is one the world's largest and oldest religions with over 1.2 billion2 |
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| 21 | 21 | | adherents in over 100 countries and which encompasses an array of diverse traditions and3 |
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| 22 | 22 | | belief systems with values of acceptance, mutual respect, and peace; and4 |
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| 23 | 23 | | WHEREAS, the United States has always been a beacon of hope, progress, and innovation,5 |
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| 24 | 24 | | attracting people from around the world to create and live a better and fulfilling life, and has6 |
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| 25 | 25 | | welcomed more than four million Hindus from all corners of the world and given them better7 |
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| 26 | 26 | | opportunities and the freedom to practice Hinduism, also known as "Sanatana Dharma"; and8 |
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| 27 | 27 | | WHEREAS, the American Hindu community has been a major contributor to diverse sectors9 |
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| 28 | 28 | | such as medicine, science and engineering, information technology, hospitality, finance,10 |
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| 29 | 29 | | academia, manufacturing, energy, retail trade, and so much more; and11 |
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| 30 | 30 | | WHEREAS, Hindu contributions of Yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, food, music, arts, and more12 |
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| 31 | 31 | | have enriched the cultural fabric and have been widely adopted in American society and13 |
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| 32 | 32 | | enriched the lives of millions; and14 23 LC 112 1661 |
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| 33 | 33 | | H. R. 701 |
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| 34 | 34 | | - 2 - |
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| 35 | 35 | | WHEREAS, Hinduphobia, as described by the Understanding Hinduphobia Initiative, is "a |
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| 36 | 36 | | 15 |
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| 37 | 37 | | set of antagonistic, destructive, and derogatory attitudes and behaviors towards Sanatana16 |
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| 38 | 38 | | Dharma (Hinduism) and Hindus that may manifest as prejudice, fear, or hatred"; and17 |
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| 39 | 39 | | WHEREAS, there have been documented instances of hate crimes against Hindu Americans18 |
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| 40 | 40 | | over the last few decades in many parts of the country; and19 |
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| 41 | 41 | | WHEREAS, in July 2022, a report released by Rutgers University titled "Anti-Hindu20 |
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| 42 | 42 | | Disinformation: A Case Study of Hinduphobia on Social Media" detailed how hate messages21 |
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| 43 | 43 | | in social media translate into real life threats for people of the Hindu faith; and22 |
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| 44 | 44 | | WHEREAS, Hinduphobia is exacerbated and institutionalized by some in academia who23 |
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| 45 | 45 | | support the dismantling of Hinduism and accuse its sacred texts and cultural practices of24 |
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| 46 | 46 | | violence and oppression.25 |
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| 47 | 47 | | NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that26 |
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| 48 | 48 | | the representatives of Forsyth County in the Georgia State Legislature condemn27 |
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| 49 | 49 | | Hinduphobia, anti-Hindu bigotry, and intolerance and declares Forsyth County as a place that28 |
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| 50 | 50 | | welcomes the diversity brought by Hindu Americans and all those who work hard, follow29 |
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| 51 | 51 | | our laws, uphold family values, and contribute to our economic and social well-being.30 |
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| 52 | 52 | | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized31 |
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| 53 | 53 | | and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the32 |
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| 54 | 54 | | public and the press.33 |
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