Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Resolution Remembering the One Year Anniversary of the Tragic Violence at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek Passes U.S. Senate

Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s resolution to remember the one year anniversary of the tragic shooting on August 5, 2012 at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek unanimously passed the Senate late last night. Baldwin was joined in offering the resolution by U.S. Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Cornyn (R-TX) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). 

Text of the U.S. Senate Resolution follows:

Remembering the anniversary of the tragic shooting on August 5, 2012, at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.

Whereas, on Sunday, August 5, 2012, a shooting took place at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek, Wisconsin;

Whereas 6 innocent people of the United States, including one woman and 5 men, lost their lives on that day in a senseless and violent act of hate at a house of worship;

Whereas 3 people sustained serious injuries, including Lieutenant Brian Murphy, the first responding officer;

Whereas many members of the Sikh community and the community as a whole selflessly sought to aid and protect others by putting their own safety at risk;

Whereas the heroic action of law enforcement officers such as Officer Sam Lenda prevented additional loss of life; and

Whereas the Sikh community has responded to the shooting in a peaceful manner consistent with the Sikh religious tenets of peace and equality:

Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Senate—

(1) remembers the anniversary of the tragic shooting on August 5, 2012, at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek, Wisconsin;
 
(2) condemns in the strongest possible terms that horrific shooting;
 
(3) condemns hatred and acts of violence towards racial and religious groups and calls for renewed efforts to end that violence;
 
(4) honors the memory of Suveg Singh Khattra, Satwant Singh Kaleka, Ranjit Singh, Sita Singh, Paramjit Kaur, and Prakash Singh, who died in the shooting;
 
(5) offers heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who died in the shooting;
 
(6) commends the heroism of the first responders, and members of the community who courageously and selflessly placed their lives in danger to prevent the death of more innocent people; and
 
(7) stands with those who plan to gather in Oak Creek on August 2 through August 5, 30 2013, to memorialize the lives lost in the shooting and to continue healing as a community.

###