Press ReleaseBipartisan2026-04-29

Fitzpatrick Leads Resolution Recognizing April as Sikh History Month

DefenseTradeVeteransCivil Rights

Context

This press release from Representative Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA) was published on 2026-04-29 and titled "Fitzpatrick Leads Resolution Recognizing April as Sikh History Month". It focuses on defense and touches on trade policy, veterans affairs.

Full Text

Fitzpatrick Leads Resolution Recognizing April as Sikh History Month

Bipartisan resolution celebrates Sikh Americans' heritage, religious liberty, service, and lasting contributions to our nation WASHINGTON, D.C. - For generations, Sikh Americans have served, built, led, and strengthened communities across the United States. Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing April as Sikh History Month and honoring Sikh Americans' faith, heritage, service, and contributions to our nation. The month provides a fitting point of recognition for Sikh history and identity, often coinciding with Vaisakhi, a defining observance that marks the founding of the Khalsa in 1699. The resolution, introduced with Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA), David Valadao (R-CA), and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), was inspired by the advocacy of Dr. Bakhshish Singh Sandhu, a PA-1 constituent and Sikh community leader, who worked with Fitzpatrick to bring Sikh History Month before Congress. "Sikh Americans have strengthened this nation through faith, service, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to human dignity," said Fitzpatrick. "In working with Dr. Bakhshish Singh Sandhu of Bensalem and members of our PA-1 Sikh community, I have seen how deeply Sikh principles of equality, religious freedom, honest work, courage, and service reflect the best of the American spirit. This resolution is about honoring that legacy, deepening understanding, and ensuring the Sikh American story is told with the accuracy, respect, and gratitude it deserves - as an essential part of the American story." "As the founder of the Congressional American Sikh Caucus, I am proud to help lead this bipartisan resolution recognizing April as Sikh History Month," said Chu. "The Sikh principles of equality, social justice, and community service inspire me as a public servant, and should guide us all as we embrace the diversity of our country and strive to create a more peaceful world. By uplifting the Sikh community and faith, we can continue to fight against harmful religious misunderstanding and discrimination through understanding and education." " The Sikh community embodies the core values of both Jersey and the United States - equality, justice, and service to others - while making significant contributions across business, technology, education, the arts, the military, and public service," said Gottheimer. "I'm proud to co-introduce the Sikh History Month resolution to recognize this community's heritage and contributions to our great nation." "As co-founder and co-chair of the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, I'm honored to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan resolution to designate April as Sikh History Month," said Valadao. "This effort is an important opportunity to highlight the core principles of the Sikh faith - earning an honest living, remembering God, and sharing with others - while also recognizing the strong tradition of service that defines the Sikh community. This resolution is an important step toward religious tolerance for all, and I'm proud to support it." The resolution recognizes Sikh Americans' contributions to the United States while promoting greater education, awareness, and respect for religious diversity. The resolution advances several key goals, including: Recognizing the history, culture, heritage, and contributions of the Sikh community; Highlighting Sikhism's core principles of equality, social justice, community service, and human dignity; Promoting education about Sikh identity, history, and articles of faith; Encouraging public programs, classroom discussions, and cultural events to foster awareness and respect; Honoring Sikh Americans' contributions through military service, entrepreneurship, humanitarian relief, civic leadership, and advocacy for human rights; and Reaffirming America's commitment to religious liberty, pluralism, and the freedom of all people to live their faith openly and with dignity. "Sikhism is a monotheistic egalitarian religion, its teachings promote equal rights, religious freedom, human equality, with emphasis on gender equality. Sikhism's three fundamental principles are remembering God, working hard, and sharing with and caring for others, as well as community service and ending the caste system. It believes in protecting the weak and stopping the tyrants. Sikhs in their daily prayer wish for the wellness of the whole human race. I would like to thank Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, Congressman David Valadao, Congresswoman Judy Chu, and Congressman Josh Gottheimer for leading this important legislation," said Bakhshish Singh Sandhu, MD, PA-1 Constituent, Co-founder of Sikhs for Justice, and President of the Council of Khalistan. " We thank the American Sikh Congressional Caucus and especially Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, Congressman David Valadao, Congresswoman Judy Chu, and Congressman Josh Gottheimer for their leadership on this important resolution. Sikh Americans deeply cherish the economic, religious, and poli

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Fitzpatrick Leads Resolution Recognizing April as Sikh History Month Bipartisan resolution celebrates Sikh Americans' heritage, religious liberty, service, and lasting contributions to our nation WASHINGTON, D.C. - For generations, Sikh Americans have served, built, led, and strengthened communities across the United States. Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing April as Sikh History Month and honoring Sikh Americans' faith, heritage, service, and contributions to our nation. The month provides a fitting point of recognition for Sikh history and identity, often coinciding with Vaisakhi, a defining observance that marks the founding of the Khalsa in 1699. The resolution, introduced with Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA), David Valadao (R-CA), and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), was inspired by the advocacy of Dr. Bakhshish Singh Sandhu, a PA-1 constituent and Sikh community leader, who worked with Fitzpatrick to bring Sikh History Month before Congress. "Sikh Americans have strengthened this nation through faith, service, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to human dignity," said Fitzpatrick. "In working with Dr. Bakhshish Singh Sandhu of Bensalem and members of our PA-1 Sikh community, I have seen how deeply Sikh principles of equality, religious freedom, honest work, courage, and service reflect the best of the American spirit. This resolution is about honoring that legacy, deepening understanding, and ensuring the Sikh American story is told with the accuracy, respect, and gratitude it deserves - as an essential part of the American story." "As the founder of the Congressional American Sikh Caucus, I am proud to help lead this bipartisan resolution recognizing April as Sikh History Month," said Chu. "The Sikh principles of equality, social justice, and community service inspire me as a public servant, and should guide us all as we embrace the diversity of our country and strive to create a more peaceful world. By uplifting the Sikh community and faith, we can continue to fight against harmful religious misunderstanding and discrimination through understanding and education." " The Sikh community embodies the core values of both Jersey and the United States - equality, justice, and service to others - while making significant contributions across business, technology, education, the arts, the military, and public service," said Gottheimer. "I'm proud to co-introduce the Sikh History Month resolution to recognize this community's heritage and contributions to our great nation." "As co-founder and co-chair of the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, I'm honored to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan resolution to designate April as Sikh History Month," said Valadao. "This effort is an important opportunity to highlight the core principles of the Sikh faith - earning an honest living, remembering God, and sharing with others - while also recognizing the strong tradition of service that defines the Sikh community. This resolution is an important step toward religious tolerance for all, and I'm proud to support it." The resolution recognizes Sikh Americans' contributions to the United States while promoting greater education, awareness, and respect for religious diversity. The resolution advances several key goals, including: Recognizing the history, culture, heritage, and contributions of the Sikh community; Highlighting Sikhism's core principles of equality, social justice, community service, and human dignity; Promoting education about Sikh identity, history, and articles of faith; Encouraging public programs, classroom discussions, and cultural events to foster awareness and respect; Honoring Sikh Americans' contributions through military service, entrepreneurship, humanitarian relief, civic leadership, and advocacy for human rights; and Reaffirming America's commitment to religious liberty, pluralism, and the freedom of all people to live their faith openly and with dignity. "Sikhism is a monotheistic egalitarian religion, its teachings promote equal rights, religious freedom, human equality, with emphasis on gender equality. Sikhism's three fundamental principles are remembering God, working hard, and sharing with and caring for others, as well as community service and ending the caste system. It believes in protecting the weak and stopping the tyrants. Sikhs in their daily prayer wish for the wellness of the whole human race. I would like to thank Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, Congressman David Valadao, Congresswoman Judy Chu, and Congressman Josh Gottheimer for leading this important legislation," said Bakhshish Singh Sandhu, MD, PA-1 Constituent, Co-founder of Sikhs for Justice, and President of the Council of Khalistan. " We thank the American Sikh Congressional Caucus and especially Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, Congressman David Valadao, Congresswoman Judy Chu, and Congressman Josh Gottheimer for their leadership on this important resolution. Sikh Americans deeply cherish the economic, religious, and poli