89R17019 KRT-D
By: Bhojani H.C.R. No. 97
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, For more than a century, members of the Sikh faith
have benefited the Lone Star State in countless ways, and their
achievements are indeed deserving of special recognition; and
WHEREAS, First arriving in the U.S. and Texas in the early
1900s, the initial Sikh immigrants often worked as farmers,
laborers, and entrepreneurs; though they often experienced
discrimination and other hardships, these industrious individuals
persevered; through the years, Sikhs have made notable
contributions in such fields as medicine, law enforcement,
business, and agriculture, and their efforts have helped advance
the economic well-being of the entire state; and
WHEREAS, Numerous Sikh Americans have emerged as prominent
figures; notable examples at the national level include civic
leader and philanthropist Dr. Amarjit Singh Marwah, U.S.
Representative Dalip Singh Saund, and scholar and author Simran
Jeet Singh; moreover, Harris County Deputy Sheriff Sandeep Dhaliwal
became the first officer in Texas to serve with traditional
articles of the Sikh faith, including a turban and beard, and he
distinguished himself in his work until he was tragically shot and
killed in the line of duty in 2019; and
WHEREAS, Today, there are an estimated 500,000 Sikhs in the
U.S., with thousands residing in Texas, and Sikh communities have
flourished in such cities as Houston, Dallas, and Austin; in
addition, the state is home to several prominent gurdwaras, or
places of worship, among them, the Gurdwara Sahib of Houston and the
Sikh Center of San Antonio; and
WHEREAS, Members of the Sikh community play a vital role in
myriad social and humanitarian initiatives, with Sikh
organizations proving especially valuable in providing disaster
relief to those affected by Hurricane Harvey in 2017; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the Sikh holiday of Vaisakhi takes place
on April 13 or 14; originally established to commemorate the
beginning of the spring harvest in the Indian state of Punjab, the
festival gained religious significance in 1699 when the last living
guru for Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, chose the occasion to found the
Khalsa order of Sikhism; and
WHEREAS, The passage of this important observance provides a
welcome opportunity to recognize Texas' Sikh community, which has
become an integral part of the Lone Star State's vibrant and diverse
mix of cultures; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby designate April 14 as Sikh Day; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section
391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in effect
until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally
passed by the legislature.