I had the honor to speak on House Resolution 199 marking April 14 as "Sikh Day" in Pennsylvania. The Sikh community continues to play an integral, though often overlooked, role in strengthening the religious, social and political fabric of Pennsylvania. The basic principles of the Sikh religion include social, gender and human equality, along with sharing and caring for others and defending those who are most vulnerable. April 14 is traditionally the celebration of Vaisakhi, which is a special occasion in which Sikhs remember the founding in 1699 of the Khalsa Panth, a fellowship of devout saint soldiers, which played an important role in shaping the religion's history and identity.

The House Appropriations Committee, of which I am a member, is holding its annual budget hearings at the state Capitol. The hearings allow committee members the opportunity to question state agency officials about their funding requests to ensure they are accountable in the way they spend your tax dollars and in carrying out their mission.

Recently, I toured Melmark School in Berwyn where I met several students and presented a certificate of achievement to school administrators on receiving a state grant through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program. Melmark provides residential, educational and therapeutic services for children and adults with autism, intellectual disabilities, brain injuries and other neurological and genetic diagnoses.