TOPEKA,KS: For the first time in the history of the United States, the invocation (prayer before start of the daily legislative session) was read by a man with flowing beard on his face and a colored turban on his head. This was Bhai Surjit Singh Head Granthi of Midwest Sikh Association Gurdwara in Kansas City, Kansas. The short Ardas was first done in Panjabi and then its translation was read by Joseph Anderson of Topeka, Kansas (who after studying and practicing all the major religions including Christianity, Hinduism, Judism and Islam took Khalsa Amrit on Baisakhi April 13, 1995). The event was covered on the local television channel. Following is the extract of the journal of Kansas Senate for March 17, 1995:
The Senate was called to order by President Paul Bud Burke.
President Burke introduced Bhai Surjit Singh Ji, Head Granthi Midwest Sikh Association of Kansas City, Kansas, what delivered the invocation: The interpreter was Joseph Anderson of Topeka.
“The Sole Supreme Being, glory to the Wondrous Enlightener
May the Lord Almighty help us Ode of the Lord, uttered by the tenth? Master Guru Gobind Singh Ji Remember first the Divine Might Supreme and the Ten Gurus and Shri Guru Granth Sahib
O, true Lord Waheguru, we pray before you
That we are starting today’s session of Kansas Senate
Please grant us the wisdom that whatever decisions we make
should be based on truth and impartiality And are in accordance with your sweet will
In the name of Guru Nanak may everyone be in high spirits
And by your will all may prosper the pure one is of the Lord! All victory is the victory of the Lord.”
Waheguru Akal Purakh granted us this honor as a result of one Sikh being a member of the Interfaith Association of Topeka, Kansas. When the Kansas State Senate Chaplin was looking for represent
Bhai Surjit Singh Ji, Joseph Anderson tatives from different faith groups, he called the Sikh representative also who in turn passed on the honor to the Gurdwara Bhai Sahib, where this rightfully belonged.
This occasion may be an incentive to Sikhs in other states to join and represent Sikh faith in local Interfaith organizations and also approach chaplains of state legislature to provide similar opportunities for reading universal Sikh prayers in their respective legislative sessions. Daljit Singh Jawa Topeka, KS
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AVAILABILITY OF IMMIGRANT VISA
NUMBERS FOR MAY 1995
The dates are for All Changeability Areas Except the Countries separately Listed followed by the dates for India if different Family-Sponsored Preferences 1st-Unmarried Sons and Daughters of US. Citizens C
2A-Spouses and Unmarried Children of Permanent Residents- Exempt from Per Country Limit 1 Apr.92 (This date is effective for all applicants regardless of Countries)
2A-Spouses and Unmarried Children of Permanent Residents Subject to Per Country limit 1 Apr.92 Legalization Beneficiaries-Spouses and Children(as Long as Relationship Existed on date Petitioner Admitted to U.S. as a Permanent Resident) Unavailable
2B-Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 Years of Age or Older)of Permanent. Residents 15 Apr. 90 3rd-Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens 8 Oct. 92
4th-Brothers and Sisters of Adults U.S. Citizens 15 Oct.83 (India 15 Oct. 83)
EMPLOYMENT-Based Preferences 1st-Priority Workers C 2nd-Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability C
3rd-Skilled Workers and Professionals C
3rd-Other Workers (Unskilled Workers) Unknown
4th-Certain Special Immigrants C 4th-Certain Religious Workers C 5th-Employment Creation (Investors)
C
5th-Employment Creation (Investors in Targeted Employment Areas) C
C current U-Unavailable Note: This Information is available on a recorded message from the State Department,
Readers can call: (202) 663-1541.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 28, 1995
