ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION
No. 46
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ROBERT J. KARABINCHAK
District 18 (Middlesex)
Assemblyman STERLEY S. STANLEY
District 18 (Middlesex)
Assemblywoman MITCHELLE DRULIS
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman McCoy, Assemblyman Conaway, Assemblywoman Speight, Assemblymen Verrelli, Marenco, Assemblywomen Quijano, Collazos-Gill, Assemblyman Freiman and Assemblywoman Hall
SYNOPSIS
Designates October of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly State and Local Government Committee on February 1, 2024, with amendments.
A Joint Resolution, designating 1[January] October1 of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion, dating back to a time between 3000-8000 BCE; and
Whereas, Among many practices, Hindus believe in karma, reincarnation, non-violence, and the spiritual nature of living beings; and
Whereas, Hindus believe in a divine higher power that takes form in many deities, such as Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha, Devi, Krishna, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Durga and Kali; and
Whereas, There are many holidays celebrated throughout the year in which Hindus honor various deities, but the most well-known in the United States are Diwali and Holi; and
Whereas, Diwali, the Festival of Lights, celebrates Lakshmi, who is the goddess representing wealth and good fortune; and
Whereas, Holi, the Festival of Colors, is a holiday that honors the beginning of spring, in which bonfires are lit and colored paste and water is thrown on those celebrating; and
1[Whereas, Hindus have made enormous contributions to cultural development throughout history, including significant achievements in math, science, and medicine used in the modern world; and]1
Whereas, There are over 1.1 billion Hindus in the world; and
Whereas, 1[About three percent of New Jersey’s population is Hindu, making]1 New Jersey 1[the state with] has1 the highest percentage 1of Hindus1 in the United States; and
1[Whereas, The largest Hindu temple in the world, called BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, is located in Robbinsville, New Jersey; and]
Whereas, Hinduism has influenced many different aspects of American culture and thought. Notable Hindu influences in New Jersey can be seen in philosophy, yoga, meditation, music, food, art, dance, and medicine; and
Whereas, Hindus are active participants in the New Jersey economy and are practitioners in all areas of the workforce, such as science, business, politics, technology, and academics; and1
Whereas, New Jersey has a large and vibrant Hindu community that deserves recognition for their rich and noteworthy history and cultural contributions to this State; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The month of 1[January] October1 of each year is designated as "Hindu Heritage Month" in the State of New Jersey.
2. The Governor is requested to annually issue a proclamation calling on the public officials and citizens of this State to observe “Hindu Heritage Month” with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.