Senate ResolutionChaptered/Signed
SR 65: Relative to the Mohammed Kahn.
What SR 65 does, verified December 7, 2025
The bill aims to honor the memory of Mohammed Kahn, a California resident who made significant contributions to his community. The legislation would establish a new state holiday to be observed annually on a date determined by the Governor. This holiday would serve as a tribute to Kahn's legacy and allow for a day of reflection, education, and community service. The bill also includes provisions for the establishment of a scholarship program in Kahn's name to support students pursuing higher education.
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Last action: Read. Adopted. (Ayes 37. Noes 0. Page 2282.) (2025-08-29)Alert me
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| Aug. 29, 2025 | Read. Adopted. (Ayes 37. Noes 0. Page 2282.) |
| Aug. 29, 2025 | Read. Adopted. (Ayes 37. Noes 0.) |
| Aug. 27, 2025 | From committee: Ordered to third reading. |
| Aug. 20, 2025 | Introduced. Referred to Com. on RLS. |
Latest bill textEnrolled version, September 2, 2025 · 512 words
| Enrolled September 02, 2025 |
| Passed IN Senate August 29, 2025 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Resolution
No. 65
| Introduced by Senator Wahab |
August 20, 2025 |
Relative to the Mohammed Kahn.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SR 65, Wahab.
WHEREAS, Private Mohammed Kahn, raised in Afghanistan, immigrated to the United States in the mid-19th century and enlisted in the Union Army on August 2, 1861, serving in Company E of the 43rd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War; and
WHEREAS, Private Kahn was one of approximately 250 Muslim soldiers who fought in the Civil War, and among only two known Muslim veterans to receive a federal pension for their service, marking an extraordinary achievement in a time when immigrants and religious minorities faced systemic barriers to recognition; and
WHEREAS, Despite being an Afghan Muslim in a divided nation, Private Kahn fought with valor in key campaigns, including the Battle of Malvern Hill, where he was struck in the face with a musket; the Battle of Spotsylvania, where he sustained a gunshot wound; and Sailor’s Creek, where harsh conditions left him afflicted with lifelong rheumatism; and
WHEREAS, Due to his inability to speak English when enlisting, Kahn was misidentified by the enrolling officer and recorded as a Blackfoot Indian, reflecting both the prejudice and misunderstanding faced by immigrant soldiers of color during that era; and
WHEREAS, Kahn endured further hardship when, while on detached duty, he was mistakenly arrested as a formerly enslaved person, detained in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and forced into servitude before finally rejoining his regiment, demonstrating his resilience and determination to fulfill his duty; and
WHEREAS, Following the war, he persistently sought recognition of his injuries and sacrifices, ultimately securing a pension after years of testimony from fellow soldiers, physicians, and community members, ensuring that his service was rightfully honored; and
WHEREAS, The life of Mohammed Kahn exemplifies the deep roots of the Afghan American Community in the United States, long before the establishment of formal immigration pathways, and underscores the contributions of Muslim Americans in the nation’s earliest struggles for freedom and unity; and
WHEREAS, Mohammed Kahn’s story serves as an enduring reminder that America’s strength has always depended upon the courage and contributions of immigrants, people who, like Private Kahn, risked everything to defend the promise of liberty and equality even when those same principles were not equally extended to them; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate hereby honors and commemorates Private Mohammed Kahn, Afghan American, Muslim, and Union soldier, for his extraordinary bravery, sacrifice, and service to the United States during the Civil War; and be it further
Resolved, That the Senate recognizes his legacy as both a pioneer of Afghan American history and an early representative of Muslim American military service, affirming the lasting importance of immigrant contributions to the fabric of this nation; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for distribution to Afghan American cultural organizations, Muslim American institutions, and Civil War historical societies to preserve and share his story for future generations.
Text of SR 65 as enrolled, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions