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| At the Governor's Prayer Breakfast, from Left to Right: Bhai Sahiba Bibiji, NM Governor Susanna Martinez, SS Mukta Kaur, Siri Sikdar Sahiba S Guru Amrit Kaur, MSS Hari Jiwan Singh, Siri Hari Kaur, MSS Daya Singh, SS Kulbir Singh |
February 1, 2012 : On January 17th in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Sikh Community hosted its 18th annual New Mexico Legislative Luncheon to thank and honor the dedicated public servants of New Mexico for their hard work and service. The tradition of the Annual Luncheon, following the Opening Day of the New Mexico Legislature where the Governor delivers the State of the State address to a joint session of the House and the Senate, began in 1995 through the inspiration of the Siri Singh Sahib who hosted it every year until his passing in 2004. The Sikh Dharma community has since continued this wonderful tradition of honoring New Mexico’s public servants.
In addition to Governor Susana Martinez’s address to the legislature, House Speaker Ben Lujan shared in his opening address that he would not run for re-election due to serious health challenges. Mr. Lujan is the 2nd longest serving member, having been elected in 1975, and serving as Speaker since 2001. His son Ben Ray Lujan, has followed his footsteps in public service, and is currently serving in the US Congress as a NM State Representative.
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| Sarb Nam Kaur serving as the House Reader at the NM Legislature Session. NM Governor Susana Martinez greets Legislature guests in the foreground. |
Bhai Sahiba Dr. Bibiji Inderjit Kaur, Siri Sikdar Sahiba S. Guru Amrit Kaur Khalsa, MSS Daya Singh Khalsa, President of Akal Security, and other members of the Espanola Sangat hosted the luncheon at Nirendra Singh Klotky’s India Palace Restaurant, a short distance from the Legislature’s venue. Senator Udall saluted the Siri Singh Sahib as a friend as he spoke to more than 100 luncheon attendees enjoying a delicious meal.
Guests included: Senator Tom Udall, who had just returned the previous day from a one week Congressional Delegation visit in India; Congressman Martin Heinrich, Attorney General Gary King and his wife Yolanda, NM Land Commissioner Ray Powell, State Auditor Hector Balderas; State Treasurer James B. Lewis; Cabinet Secretaries John Bemis (Dept. of Energy Minerals, and Natural Resources), Ed Burkle (General Services Department), and Arthur P. Allison (Department of Indian Affairs); members of the NM Supreme Court and Appellate Courts; members of the House and Senate of the State Legislature; county and local officials, as well as many other friends.
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| From Left to Right: Yolanda King, MSS Daya Singh, Attorney General Gary King, Bhai Sahiba Bibiji, Siri Sikdar Sahiba S Guru Amrit Kaur, Senator Tom Udall, Congressman Martin Hendrich, and MSS Hari Jiwan Singh at the Legislative Luncheon. |
Members of the New Mexico Sikh Community including the Bhai Sahiba and family, and Siri Sikdar Sahiba Ji attended the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast January 26th, at the Santa Fe Convention Center.
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 SS SatSundri Kaur Khalsa is SDW General Manager. She works with Public Relations, Sangat and Siblings of Destiny events, writes for the newsletter, manages the Gurpurb calendar and remembrance cards,coordinates Global Khalsa Family Akhand Paaths (taking place at Takhat Kesgarh Sahib), and works with special projects. She served most recently with PR & Marketing coordination for Dashmesh Sadan, Siri Singh Sahib Ji’s home in Anandpur Sahib 2009-2010, Punjab, and.from 2007-2008 as Executive Director of Sikh Dharma International. Studying with Siri Singh Sahib Ji since 1971. Email: [email protected] |