Pennsylvania HR 454: A Resolution designating March 26, 2026, as "Bangladesh Day" in Pennsylvania.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 3046
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 454
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY MALAGARI, VENKAT, FREEMAN, HOHENSTEIN, RIVERA,
SANCHEZ, MADDEN, BOYD AND CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, MARCH 19, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, MARCH 23, 2026
A RESOLUTION
Designating March 26, 2026, as "Bangladesh Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Bangladesh, a country of more than 176 million
people, is a southern Asian country bordering the Bay of Bengal
between Burma and India; and
WHEREAS, When British colonial rule in India ended in August
1947, India was partitioned and two new countries were created,
India and Pakistan; and
WHEREAS, Pakistan was separated into East and West Pakistan,
with East Pakistan eventually becoming modern-day Bangladesh;
and
WHEREAS, Pakistan's government began as a parliamentary
democracy, with an elected constituent assembly tasked with
drafting a constitution as well as overseeing the new country's
legislative body; and
WHEREAS, Tensions between West Pakistan and Bengalis in East
Pakistan continued to grow due to the refusal to accept Bengali
as the state language of Pakistan, the economic disparities
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between the two regions, West Pakistani hegemony and the
declaration of martial law; and
WHEREAS, In 1956, Pakistan adopted a constitution where East
and West Pakistan were both equally represented in government;
and
WHEREAS, Bengalis were still discontented with the Pakistani
government and, following a clash with India over control of
territories in the Kashmir region, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
announced his six-point plan for East Pakistani independence in
1965; and
WHEREAS, On March 25, 1971, government troops from West
Pakistan invaded Dhaka despite negotiations between Yahya Khan,
president of Pakistan and commander in chief of the armed
forces, and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman occurring over the month of
March; and
WHEREAS, On March 26, 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared
East Pakistan independence following his arrest and
transportation to West Pakistan; and
WHEREAS, In the following nine months, the Bangladesh
Liberation War claimed the lives of an estimated 300,000 to 3
million people with 10 million Bengalis fleeing and becoming
displaced within India; and
WHEREAS, India invaded both East and West Pakistan in defense
of East Pakistani autonomy on December 3, 1971, and Pakistani
defenses surrendering on December 16, 1971, ensured the official
independence of what is now known as the People's Republic of
Bangladesh; and
WHEREAS, The green and red colors of Bangladesh's national
flag symbolize the country's flora and the sun rising over the
new country; and
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WHEREAS, There is a Bangladeshi community located here in
Pennsylvania, and the Bangladeshi American Community of
Pennsylvania is located in the North Penn area of Montgomery
County; and
WHEREAS, The Bangladeshi American Community of Pennsylvania
is a volunteer-driven organization celebrating and sharing the
rich culture, traditions and contributions of Bangladeshi
Americans, especially within Montgomery County and the
surrounding areas; and
WHEREAS, The Bangladeshi American Community of Pennsylvania,
through a variety of events and gatherings, brings together
community members to enjoy Bangladeshi food, music, art and
heritage and seeks to increase cooperation and understanding
with similar organizations of other ethnicities in Pennsylvania;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate March
26, 2026, as "Bangladesh Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and
foster the important contributions made by Bangladeshi
Pennsylvanians to unify residents of this Commonwealth.
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