CITY OF FRESNO
___________________________________________ __________________________________________ JERRY P. DYER, Honorable Mayor TYLER MAXWELL, Councilmember, District 4
____________________________________________ __________________________________________ MIKE KARBASSI, Council President MIGUEL ARIAS, Council Vice President
____________________________________________ __________________________________________ ANNALISA PEREA, Councilmember, District 1 BRANDON VANG, Councilmember, District 5
____________________________________________ __________________________________________ NICK RICHARDSON, Councilmember, District 6 NELSON ESPARZA, Councilmember, District 7
Office of Councilmember Tyler Maxwell
Hereby Recognizes :
Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor
WHEREAS, Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor, born in Panjab, India, was inspired by his spiritual mentor Mahatma Gandhi to wholly embrace the principles of non -violence, peace, and justice . From an early age , he chose to dedicate himself to a lifelong journey of embodying and advancing these teachings. Rooted in his unfailing compassion, he has touched countless lives, leaving an indelible mark on all who continue to learn from his wisdom and leadership as a cherished member of the Central Valley Community; and
WHEREAS, After completing his studies in India, Dr. Kapoor came to the United States in 1963 , carried by his pursuit for higher learning. By 1967, his journey brought him to the Central Valley, where he joined the faculty of California State University, Fresno and began his esteemed tenure as a Professor of Social Work, Community Development, and Peace Studies . There, he founded the Peace and Conflict Studies Program as its inaugural director and launched the Stop the Hate and Build the Culture of Peace Week, advancing a dialogue of healing across generations. His vision was instrumental to the establishment of the Fresno State Peace Garden , which endures as a living legacy to timeless figures of justic e and nonviolence. Through his ongoing presence on campus, Dr. Kapoor continues to champion a culture of compassion and understanding, planting seeds of hope to nurture new visionary voices; and
WHEREAS, Since 1984, Dr. Kapoor has been a vital force on Fresno’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Committee, where he continues to lead hundreds of participants in the annual march and inspires the community to carry forward Dr. King’s legacy of equality and justice . He was appointed in 1992 to the City of Fresno’s Human Relations Commission, providing his esteemed leadership for twelve years. Dr.
Kapoor also helped establish the Board of Directors of the Fresno Center for Nonviolence, ensuring the Central Valley had a lasting institution dedicated to nonviolent action, inclusivity and solidarity; and
WHEREAS, Dr Kapoor’s influence extends far beyond our Central Valley, reaching national and international circles of peace and justice through his service on numerous boards and within research communities.
His contributions have been honored with numerous accolades, including the prestigious NAACP Image Award and the Lifetime Peace Building Award from Cultural Integration Fellowship. In 1997, the Fresno Bee named Dr. Kapoor as one of the most influential people in the Central Valley , a reflection of our community’s deep respect and reverence for his profound influence and continued impact; and
WHEREAS, For over five decades, Dr. Kapoor has faithfully sought, fought, and taught the principles of peace through nonviolence, calling upon us to choose dialogue over division and understanding over conflict.
As an educator and mentor, he uplifts the voices of young people in the Central Valley, listening to them with care and encouraging them to dream boldly and step forward as creators of change; and
WHEREAS, Through his lifelong dedication to justice and community , Dr. Kapoor has powerfully shaped Fresno’s civic and cultural life. As a leader, organizer, and advocate, he serves as a moral compass in the Central Valley and beyond. His living example continues to inspire people of all ages and calls on us all to walk the path of nonviolence, lead lives of service, and build a more just and compassionate world.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, Mayor Jerry P. Dyer, and the Fresno City Council, do hereby proclaim Thursday, September 25th, 2025, as:
“Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor Day”
in the City of Fresno
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands and affixed the Great Seal of the City of Fresno, California, this Twenty-Fifth Day of September of the Year Two Thousand and Twenty-Five.