Recognizing the significance of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, to Sikh Americans and Sikhs worldwide.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 689 Recognizing the significance of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, to Sikh Americans and Sikhs worldwide. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NOVEMBER 12, 2019 Mr. GARAMENDI (for himself, Mr. COSTA, Ms. STEVENS, Ms. LOFGREN, Ms. SPANBERGER, and Mr. COOK) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform RESOLUTION Recognizing the significance of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, to Sikh Ameri- cans and Sikhs worldwide. Whereas the United States is enriched by the diversity of its residents, who have cultivated a climate of social toler- ance and intellectual pluralism that has sustained it throughout its history; Whereas the Sikh community, which originated in Punjab, in South Asia, and began immigrating into the United States over 100 years ago, has played an important role in developing the United States; Whereas Sikhism is the world’s fifth largest religion with nearly 30,000,000 followers, including about 1,000,000 in the United States; VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:37 Nov 13, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR689.IH HR689 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 689 IH Whereas a holistic understanding of peace, supported by ideas of equality and fraternity, is part of the Sikh tradi- tion; Whereas the very origin of Sikhism is linked to overcoming communal hatred and divisions; Whereas the year 2019 carries significance for Sikhs across the globe as being the 550th birth anniversary of the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak; Whereas Guru Nanak (1469–1539) preached to his followers to— (1) remember God; (2) earn their living by honest means; and (3) share it with the less fortunate; Whereas Guru Nanak was an original spiritual thinker and expressed his thoughts in extraordinary poetry that forms the basis of Sikh scripture, Guru Granth Sahib; Whereas Guru Nanak’s social teachings denounced the caste system and taught that everyone is equal, regardless of caste, creed, or gender; Whereas Guru Nanak’s message was to recognize the entire human race as one; and Whereas Guru Nanak criticized caste and gender inequalities and declared that all men and women are equal: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives recog- 1 nizes the significance of the 550th birth anniversary of 2 Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, to Sikh Americans 3 and Sikhs worldwide. 4 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:37 Nov 13, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR689.IH HR689 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS