Sikh Vaisakhi Celebration

April 20, 2008

*As Written*

Good afternoon, and thank you Harinderpaul (Har-REN-Der-Paul) (Singh Bains) for the kind introduction.

I�m honored to be here today on this most joyful of occasions for the Sikh community. And I hope all of you are having a wonderful day.

I know that this day � Vaisakhi (Vah-SOCK-ee) honors the formation of the Khalsa (KAL-Sa) and the birth of a code of conduct for Sikhs to live by.

This is also holiday that begins the New Year and the start of a new harvest season.

I also know that the celebration includes acts of generosity to the wider community -- and that�s a touching and wonderful tradition.

Ultimately, Vaisakhi (Vah-SOCK-ee) celebrates the fact that all humans are given the spirit and opportunity to live lives of courage, sacrifice, and equality.

The thing I love about our great State of Washington is the diversity of religions and cultures. Every addition makes our state richer and stronger.

So the multi-faceted, fast-growing American Sikh community in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties is very exciting to see.

There are thousands of Sikhs in our communities, and I very much appreciate their hard work in helping to strengthen our state.

Sikhs are a growing presence in our retail and transportation industries, and many are senior managers at companies like Microsoft and Boeing.

I want you know I was pleased to intervene to make sure our Department of Licensing understood and respected that your religion and culture absolutely require that you wear the Sikh head coverings, including when having your pictures taken for driver licenses.

May all of you enjoy this special day, along with your fellow Sikhs all over the world.

Thank you for making Washington a richer, more diversified state with your presence.