PRINTER'S NO. 3061
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
423
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY MUNROE, MALAGARI, KHAN, DONAHUE, GIRAL, SANCHEZ,
HADDOCK, BRIGGS, FRIEL, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, T. DAVIS, WAXMAN,
McANDREW, BRENNAN, KENYATTA AND KINSEY, MAY 6, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, MAY 6, 2024
A RESOLUTION
Designating August 4, 2024, as "BAPS Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha
("BAPS") is a worldwide Hindu denomination dedicated to
fostering faith, inspiring service and promoting better living;
and
WHEREAS, Today, there are BAPS followers in more than 20
countries in southern and eastern Africa, western Europe,
Australasia, Southeast Asia and North America; and
WHEREAS, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016),
established the first BAPS Hindu temple, also known as a mandir,
in the United States on August 4, 1974, in New York City; and
WHEREAS, Over the last 50 years, BAPS in the United States
has become the largest BAPS fellowship outside of India with
more than 100 mandirs; and
WHEREAS, The eight BAPS mandirs in Pennsylvania are proud
examples of how houses of worship contribute to the well-being
of their congregants and local communities; and
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WHEREAS, BAPS members in North America demonstrate its
teachings through an emphasis on the values of family, service,
culture, spirituality and youth development; and
WHEREAS, BAPS mandirs offer a welcoming and spiritual space
for thousands of families, as well as worship, fellowship,
communal meals, education and activities for young and old,
creating a true home for the faithful; and
WHEREAS, Following in the example of His Holiness Mahant
Swami Maharaj, the volunteers of BAPS have, time and again,
answered the call to serve, humbly, selflessly and
inspirationally; and
WHEREAS, BAPS members believe that "In the joy of others lies
our own," and strive to perform acts that celebrate the divinity
in all beings; and
WHEREAS, BAPS mandirs bring His Holiness Pramukh Swami
Maharaj's words "In the joy of others lies our own," to life
through support for those in need in a variety of community
efforts, such as health fairs, food drives and disaster relief
work; and
WHEREAS, In commitment to the Hindu tradition of celebrating
unity in diversity, BAPS members also invite visitors to all
BAPS mandirs by regularly hosting open houses and similar
events; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 2.5 million members and visitors seek
peace and spiritual solace at a BAPS mandir every year; and
WHEREAS, BAPS mandirs add to the rich tapestry of diversity
that makes America and this Commonwealth beautiful places to
call home; and
WHEREAS, The fifth BAPS spiritual successor, Pramukh Swami
Maharaj, believed that peaceful coexistence requires dialogue
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among leaders of other cultures, religions and civic bodies; and
WHEREAS, BAPS mandirs have a storied history of helping
immigrants to the United States retain their connection to their
faith but fully embrace and join in American civic life; and
WHEREAS, In 2000, BAPS was granted General Consultative
Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council,
giving BAPS a role in formal United Nations deliberations; and
WHEREAS, Through cultural events and educational programs,
BAPS cultivates a sense of identity and pride by sharing rich
Hindu artistic, musical, dance, culinary and festival traditions
with its communities; and
WHEREAS, BAPS mandirs also offer youth activities that
encourage and mold young people to live lives of integrity and
character that reflect our highest ideals; and
WHEREAS, 2024 marks 50 years of service and faith in the
United States for BAPS; and
WHEREAS, The BAPS mandirs in Pennsylvania hope to serve their
congregants and local communities with even greater zeal in the
next 50 years and beyond; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate August
4, 2024, as "BAPS Day" in Pennsylvania.
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