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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1215 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 1215

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                        March 25, 2010.
Whereas March 26 is the anniversary of Bangladesh's independence;
Whereas the Constitution of Bangladesh, ratified in 1972 following a war of 
        independence, established a democracy ruled by and for the people of 
        Bangladesh;
Whereas Bangladesh has a population of approximately 160,000,000 people, is the 
        world's fourth most populated Muslim country, and is a moderate and 
        democratic Muslim nation;
Whereas before elections in December 2008, Bangladesh held what the 
        international community viewed as three free and fair elections in 1991, 
        1996, and 2001, respectively;
Whereas in October 2006, power was handed over to a caretaker government before 
        the January 22, 2007, scheduled election and the caretaker government 
        subsequently imposed a state of emergency on January 11, 2007;
Whereas the United States House of Representatives passed a resolution in 
        September 2008 calling for the return of democracy in Bangladesh;
Whereas the caretaker government of Bangladesh returned the country to democracy 
        through an election held on December 29, 2008;
Whereas the December 29, 2008, election was monitored by numerous international 
        election observers that declared the election credible;
Whereas the United States Department of State welcomed ``the success of 
        Bangladesh's parliamentary elections'' and congratulated the 
        ``Bangladesh Election Commission and the thousands of government 
        officials involved in organizing this successful election'';
Whereas the Awami League, led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed, won 
        over two-thirds of the 300 seats in Parliament and formed a new 
        government in January 2009;
Whereas President Barack Obama awarded Muhammad Yunus the Presidential Medal of 
        Freedom in August 2009;
Whereas the United States Agency for International Development reports that 49 
        percent of Bangladeshis live below the poverty line;
Whereas Bangladesh's economy grew at an estimated rate of 5.7 percent in 2009;
Whereas the Anti-Corruption Commission in Bangladesh has commenced serious 
        efforts to address corruption; and
Whereas Bangladesh's long-term political stability and economic progress are 
        critical to the security of the South Asian region: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses its strong support for the people of Bangladesh;
            (2) encourages the strengthening and consolidation of democracy in 
        Bangladesh one year after the election;
            (3) urges the Government of Bangladesh to work together with all 
        political leaders to continue and deepen reconciliation;
            (4) appreciates the Government of Bangladesh for making progress in 
        meeting the selection criteria of the Millennium Challenge Corporation;
            (5) urges the Government of Bangladesh to protect the rights of 
        religious and ethnic minorities in Bangladesh, including the Hindus, 
        Christians, Buddhists, Ahmadis, and non-Muslim tribal peoples;
            (6) urges the Anti-Corruption Commission in Bangladesh to continue 
        its efforts to eradicate corruption;
            (7) urges the Secretary of State to coordinate with Bangladesh on 
        matters pertaining to security, economic progress, and human rights in 
        South Asia; and
            (8) encourages the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the 
        United States Agency for International Development to continue 
        supporting the building of a strong civil society and eradicating 
        poverty in Bangladesh.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.
```