H.Res. 1086House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

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

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Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Affairs Committee

May 3, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 3, 2022

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Affairs Committee

May 3, 2022

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.Res. 1086 on the floor

1 Democrat

Rep. Brian HigginsD-NY-26 · Jul 1, 2022

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on the importance of commemorating the 50th anniversary of U.S.-Bangladesh relations. In my district, my hometown of Buffalo, New York hosts a significant…

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on the importance of commemorating the 50th anniversary of U.S.-Bangladesh relations. In my district, my hometown of Buffalo, New York hosts a significant Bangladeshi population that contributes to Buffalo's rich cultural diversity and helps the city live up to its moniker as the City of Good Neighbors. I am proud to be representing the more than 10,000 Bangladeshi constituents in my district, and recently introduced H. Res. 1086 honoring the 50th anniversary of U.S.-Bangladesh relations.

The United States recognized the independence of Bangladesh on April 4, 1972. Since then, our two nations have cooperated on a myriad of issues, including the protection of Rohingya refugees fleeing genocide, the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and the continuation of a peaceful and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

The past thirty-five years have witnessed an influx of Bangladeshi immigrants to the United States, making the group the fastest growing Asian-American population in the country. In Buffalo, these individuals have established vibrant communities all over the city, with a specific concentration on the East Side including the neighborhoods of Broadway- Fillmore, Genesee Moselle, Fillmore-Leroy, and Kensington. Members of the Bangladeshi community have started businesses, are renovating vacant homes, and are enriching the fabric of our region through their cultural contributions.

The Bangladeshi population has made it a priority to foster a sense of community and cultural identity among its members. It has founded organizations such as the Bangladesh Society of Buffalo and the Buffalo Bangla Newspaper with this particular goal in mind. Furthermore, the ranks of Bengali-speaking students enrolled in Buffalo Public Schools have continued to swell, and I am grateful to see to this cross- cultural cooperation in our city.

I look forward to welcoming further Bangladeshi immigrants to the United States and continue to admire the unique perspectives and experiences they bring to our nation. Madam Speaker, I am grateful to express my deep appreciation for the long-standing relationship and cooperation between the United States and Bangladesh.

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 3, 2022

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. RES. 1086

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 3, 2022

Mr. Higgins of New York (for himself and Mrs. Radewagen) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

RESOLUTION

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.