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N
E W S April 20, 2003 The significance of the Resolution on Baisakhi, by Lt. Governor Bustamante, was to raise awareness of the Sikh community in California. The Resolution was presented to the Sikh community during Baisakhi celebrations on April 13, 2003. Remarks
by Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante Thank you for that introduction, Kirtan. I also thank the Sikh community for inviting me to commemorate the annual "Baisakhi" gathering of Sikhs from all over the United States and the world. I stand before you as a man who believes in the future of the people of this great state. As we look at our past we see a dynamic state. One of the last to join the union, always presenting an opportunity to those who would come here to make it their home. • From the Spanish immigrants
who came looking for El Dorado… • To the covered wagon immigrants who crossed the
vastness of the central plains… • To the gold rush immigrants who sought their fortunes… • To the second migration immigrants-Italians, Europeans,
Mediterraneans… • To the African American immigrants fleeing the
South following the Civil War… • To the Chinese immigrants who built the railroads…
• To the Armenians and Jews who came following the
Holocaust… • To the poor dirt farming families, forced here
during the dust bowl… • To the Mexicans and Central Americans as economic
refugees… • To the Hmong, Cambodian and Vietnamese after unsuccessful
wars abroad… • To the Sikh community that has been in California for over one hundred years and farm, truck, provide us health care, and teach our children… We all come to find a better place; a place to take care of our families. We are a magnificent assemblage of humankind - a wondrous experiment without peer; and, on one of the most diverse places on earth. Greater understanding will lead us to tolerance and appreciation. What do you call an American who wears a turban? You call them an American. What do you call an American who uses chopsticks, or, Americans who worship at synagogues, or, Americans who speak Spanish? You call them Americans. We must get the word out - that Americans who wear Turbans are Americans - not terrorists. We need to see diversity as a cause for celebration and not consternation. Today, we took one more step forward with the help of 330,000 of California's teachers. Only a few minutes ago, I was down the hall informing the media about a new project that I've been working one for more than a year - a coloring book for California's schoolchildren to teach them that no matter what we wear, what we eat or how we dress…we are still all ONE. The coloring book, "The Boy with Long Hair" will soon be available to our teachers so that our children and their children can understand the unique Sikh culture and traditions. Because the more we learn from each other, the more likely
we are to be together… I am also working to gain state and national Historic Landmark recognitions for the Stockton Sikh Temple. Because it is the first Sikh temple, we must do everything that we can to preserve this important piece of our history. Thank you for inviting me here today. I'm to be a part of celebration that stands for the "universal spirit of family and togetherness." I also have some special recognition to present from the State of California. [Presents resolution to Kirtan Singh.] Thank you for having me here for this important gathering. |