BILL NUMBER: ACR 181	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 9, 2010

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Logue

                        AUGUST 2, 2010

   Relative to California Sikh American Awareness and Appreciation
Month.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 181, as amended, Logue. California Sikh American Awareness and
Appreciation Month.
   This measure would designate November 2010 as California Sikh
American Awareness and Appreciation Month. It would recognize and
acknowledge the significant contributions made by Californians of
Sikh heritage to our state and afford all Californians the
opportunity to understand, recognize, and appreciate the rich
history, shared principles, religion, faith, and role Sikh Americans
play in furthering mutual understanding and respect among all
peoples.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, California and our nation are at once blessed and
enriched by the unparalleled diversity of our residents; and
   WHEREAS, Among this unprecedented diversity in California, there
reside an estimated 200,000 Americans of Sikh origin, comprising
nearly 40 percent of the nation's estimated Sikh population; and
   WHEREAS, Sikh immigrants have resided in California for more than
a century, with the first Sikh immigrants believed to have labored on
railroad construction projects; and
   WHEREAS, The first Sikh temple (Gurdwara) in California was
established in Stockton in  1929   1912  ;
and
   WHEREAS, While Sikh Americans have distinguished themselves in
numerous areas of endeavor, they have demonstrated particular success
in the areas of agriculture, trucking, and in the creation of small,
family-owned businesses; and
   WHEREAS, It is estimated that in Yuba and Sutter Counties, Sikh
American farmers account for as much as 95 percent of peach farming,
60 percent of all prune farming, and 20 percent of all almond and
walnut farming; and 
   WHEREAS, It is estimated that in the Bakersfield and Fresno areas
of California, fully 20 percent of all table grapes are grown by Sikh
American farmers; and 
   WHEREAS, Yuba City, California, boasts the largest population of
Sikh and Punjabi Americans in the nation, and in 2009 elected Kashmir
Gill as its first Sikh American mayor; and
   WHEREAS, Dalip Singh Saund was the first Sikh American and Asian
American member of the United States Congress; and
   WHEREAS, Dr. Bhagat Singh Thind struggled and fought for Asian
Indians to be allowed to become American citizens; and
   WHEREAS, Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany of Palo Alto is acknowledged by
many to be the father of fiber optics; and
   WHEREAS, The Sikh and Punjabi American communities of California
continue to make important contributions to our state and nation; and

   WHEREAS, Sikh Americans in Yuba City celebrate the coronation day
 in   of  Sikh Scripture as Guru Gaddi
Divas, also known as the Sikh Parade, on the first Sunday of every
November; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the month
of November 2010 to be California Sikh American Awareness and
Appreciation Month; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes and acknowledges the
significant contributions made by Californians of Sikh heritage to
our state, and by adoption of this resolution, seeks to afford all
Californians the opportunity to better understand, recognize, and
appreciate the rich history and shared principles of Sikh Americans,
their monotheistic religion and the tenets of their faith, and the
important role that Sikh Americans play in furthering mutual
understanding and respect among all peoples; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution to the
members of the Legislature, members of the California Sikh American
community, and other interested persons.