The State Senate recently recognized the contributions of California’s Pakistani-American community by adopting Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 105 authored by Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia).

(photo courtesy of State Sen. Tony Mendoza’s Office)

The resolution declares March 23 as “Pakistani American Day.” A special ceremony held on the Senate floor Monday following the vote featured Mendoza (center), Consul General of Pakistan Abdul Jabbar Memon, Artesia mayor pro-tem Ali Sajjad Taj and Pakistani American dignitaries from throughout the state.

“The California State Senate paid tribute to the contributions of the Pakistani-American community to the diverse fabric of California. SCR 105 declares March 23, 2016 as ‘Pakistani American Day’ and provides the people of our state an opportunity to recognize the achievements, contributions and history of this vibrant community,” Mendoza said.

In Pakistan, March 23 is a national holiday known as Pakistani Resolution Day commemorating the signing of the Lahore Resolution and the adoption of the first Pakistani constitution. The 1940 Lahore Resolution called for the creation of a sovereign Muslim state. In 1973, a constitution was adopted that established Pakistan as a parliamentary democracy with three branches of government and a prime minister. Pakistan is currently considered a parliamentary republic, with the head of state elected by parliament and state legislators. Mendoza said there are nearly 47,000 people of Pakistani heritage residing in California, and 10 percent of all exports from the United States to Pakistan come from California. Pakistani American Day helps to raise awareness about the contributions Pakistani Americans make to the state’s economy and ethnic and cultural diversity.