Honor Sikh Day Parade

Senate Resolution No. 4409 BY: Senator COMRIE COMMENDING The Sikh Cultural Society, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting the Annual Sikh Day Parade on April 28, 2018 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those organizations which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend The Sikh Cultural Society, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting the Annual Sikh Day Parade in New York City on Saturday, April 28, 2018; and WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of President Kuldip Singh Dhillon, The Sikh Cultural Society is an umbrella organization which represents the Sikh Punjabi Community of the Tri-State area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut; and WHEREAS, On Saturday, April 28, 2018, members of the Sikh community will gather along Madison Avenue in New York City to watch this colorful parade and celebrate Vaisakhi, one of the most important dates on the Sikh calendar; and WHEREAS, Sikhism is the fifth-largest religion in the world, with more than 25 million adherents, including an estimated 700,000 in the United States; the majority of Sikhs live in the Punjab province of India, in the region where the religion was founded in the 15th Century by Guru Nanak Dev; and WHEREAS, A monotheistic faith, Sikhism teaches respect for all people, regardless of race, religion, gender, or background; it stresses the importance of doing good in the world and demonstrating such positive values as humility, diligence, generosity, and self-sacrifice in daily life; and WHEREAS, Vaisakhi celebrates the founding in 1699 of the devout Sikh fellowship known as the Khalsa; Guru Gobind Singh bestowed on all Khalsa men the surname Singh, meaning "lion," as a reminder to be courageous, and women accepted the surname Kaur, or "princess," to emphasize dignity; and WHEREAS, The first Sikhs came to the United States in the 1890s to build railroads, work on California farms, and labor in the lumber mills of the Pacific Northwest; since then, Sikh Americans in all walks of life have contributed to the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of the United States; and WHEREAS, The State of New York and our Nation are blessed with many citizens of the Sikh community who are distinguished by their excellence and their contributions to all fields of endeavor; and WHEREAS, The festival of Vaisakhi presents an ideal opportunity to affirm the belief in justice, equality, and freedom that is cherished by all Americans and by Sikhs the world over; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend The Sikh Cultural Society, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting the Annual Sikh Day Parade on April 28, 2018; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Kuldip Singh Dhillon, President, The Sikh Cultural Society, Inc.