Commemorating the 50th anniversary of United States and Bangladesh relations.

Whereas the United States and Bangladesh share a rich and multifaceted relationship focused on cooperation on a range of issues, including economic, security, governance, and development, to advance a shared vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific region; Whereas Senator Ted Kennedy traveled to Bangladesh in 1971, and after witnessing the plight of the Bangladeshi at the hands of Pakistan, advocated for them which led to the independence of Bangladesh on December 16, 1971; Whereas the United States recognized Bangladesh on April 4, 1972, in a press statement from Secretary of State William Rogers; Whereas Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in a letter to President Nixon on April 9, 1972, acknowledged the recognition; Whereas the United States Embassy was established on May 18, 1972, with Herbert Spivack, principal United States officer of Dhaka; Whereas President Bill Clinton visited Bangladesh in 2000, marking a historic event as the first trip to a South Asian country made by a United States head of state; Whereas the United States and Bangladesh’s joint cooperation on the Rohingya crisis in 2017 urged for a full and transparent investigation of the death of prominent Rohingya advocate, Mohib Ullah, and financial humanitarian assistance from the United States, and an acceptance of over 700,000 refugees by Bangladesh alleviated and saved numerous Rohingya Muslims escaping persecution; Whereas the sixth United States-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue meeting in November 2017 renewed the commitment to improving governance, trade and investment, security cooperation, and deepening of cooperation on bilateral, regional, and international priorities for counterterrorism, climate change, sustainable development, and migration; Whereas the United States has shared over 10,500,000 doses of COVID–19 vaccines with Bangladesh during the COVID–19 pandemic; Whereas, in 2021, President Biden has pledged to contribute to climate aid to Bangladesh; and Whereas both nations stand together to defeat extremism: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) recognizes the people of Bangladesh on the 50th anniversary of United States and Bangladesh relations; (2) recognizes the historical significance of this milestone of United States and Bangladesh relations; (3) recognizes the joint effort that has been made to combat COVID–19; (4) recognizes the contributions of the United States and Bangladesh toward assisting Rohingya refugees fleeing genocide in Burma; and (5) reaffirms its commitment and partnership with Bangladesh to ensuring a peaceful, safe, open, free, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

Summary: This resolution expresses that the House of Representatives recognizes the people of Bangladesh on the 50th anniversary of United States and Bangladesh relations, the joint effort that has been made to combat COVID-19, and the contributions of the United States and Bangladesh toward assisting Rohingya refugees fleeing genocide in Burma (Myanmar). Finally, the resolution reaffirms the commitment and partnership with Bangladesh to ensuring a peaceful, safe, open, free, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.