Title: Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's independence.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution recognizes the people of Bangladesh on the 50th anniversary of their independence and the historical significance of this milestone to those of Bangladeshi heritage. It also recognizes the contributions of Bangladesh for hosting Rohingya refugees fleeing genocide in Burma (Myanmar).

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 239 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 239

    Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's independence.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 16, 2021

 Ms. Ocasio-Cortez (for herself, Ms. Tlaib, Mr. Gomez, and Mr. Meeks) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                           on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's independence.

Whereas the region of Bengal in South Asia is home to an ancient civilization 
        with a rich cultural and literary tradition;
Whereas the 1947 partition of India created an East Bengal province, which 
        became part of Pakistan, and in 1954, as part of the One-Unit program, 
        East Bengal became East Pakistan;
Whereas, in December 1970, Pakistan held its first election, and despite East 
        Pakistan winning a majority of seats in Parliament, the West Pakistan-
        based military leadership refused to cede power to the majority and 
        instead imposed martial law in East Pakistan;
Whereas, on March 26, 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared Bangladesh's 
        independence from West Pakistan;
Whereas, in December 1971, following a nine-month long war that resulted in 
        millions of displaced people and deaths, the Pakistani Army surrendered 
        to Indian and Bangladeshi allied forces;
Whereas, on February 14, 1972, the late Senator Edward Kennedy at a speech at 
        Dhaka University said, ``The struggle of the people of Bangladesh . . . 
        evokes the greatest memories of our past'' and exemplifies a shared love 
        of freedom with the American people; and
Whereas, in August 2017, citing parallels between the displacement of Bengalis 
        during the 1971 war, the Government of Bangladesh accepted more than 
        700,000 Rohingya refugees fleeing genocide in Burma: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the people of Bangladesh on the 50th 
        anniversary of their independence;
            (2) recognizes the historical significance of this 
        milestone to those of Bangladeshi heritage;
            (3) recognizes the courage of freedom fighters in the 
        struggle for independence and democracy;
            (4) expresses support for the principles of democratic 
        governance to which the people of Bangladesh are committed; and
            (5) recognizes the contributions of Bangladesh for hosting 
        Rohingya refugees fleeing genocide in Burma.
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