Bill > K00262

This resolution seeks to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025 as Punjabi Awareness Month in New York, coinciding with Vaisakhi, an important cultural and religious holiday celebrated on April 14, 2025. The resolution provides historical context about the Punjabi community, highlighting that the first South Asian immigrants to the United States were Punjabis, primarily Sikhs, who arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It emphasizes the significance of Vaisakhi, a holiday sacred to Sikhs and some Hindus, which marks important historical events such as the foundation of the Khalsa Order in 1699 and the coronation of the first Sikh Empire's Maharaja in 1801. The resolution also recognizes New York's vibrant Punjabi community, particularly in Richmond Hill, which is considered an epicenter of Sikhism in the Western Hemisphere, and celebrates the cultural diversity and contributions of Punjabi Americans to the state. By passing this resolution, the Legislative Body aims to foster ethnic pride and acknowledge the rich cultural heritage of the Punjabi community in New York.

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/K262