 
Assembly Resolution No. 242
 
BY: M. of A. Sepulveda
 
        CELEBRATING March 28, 2017, as Bangladesh Day
 
  WHEREAS,  March 26th is the national independence day of Bangladesh;
this day is celebrated in Bangladesh and also all around  the  world  in
honor  of its country's Declaration of Independence from Pakistan in the
late hours of March 25, 1971, and the start of the Bangladesh Liberation
War; and
 
  WHEREAS, This day is also a memorial to the deaths of  thousands  of
students,  civilians, political leaders, and unarmed Bengali people; the
Bangladesh Liberation War started between West and East Pakistan; and
 
  WHEREAS, West Pakistan believed they were far superior to  those  in
East  Pakistan;  they  gave  East Pakistan no privileges; they had a bad
economy, and no rights; and
 
  WHEREAS, The first election in the history of Pakistan was  held  on
December  7, 1970; there were 300 seats in the parliament; East Pakistan
won 160 seats and West Pakistan won 81 seats; instead  of  handing  over
the  power  to  the  winning  party,  they  imposed  martial law on East
Pakistan; and
 
  WHEREAS, East Pakistani  leader  Mr.  Bongu  Bondhu  Sheikh  Mujibur
Rahman  urged  the  Bengali  people  to  turn their homes into resisting
forts; he said, "Our struggle is for our freedom. Our  struggle  is  for
our  independence";  this  speech  is what mainly inspired the nation to
fight for freedom; and
 
  WHEREAS, The West Pakistani army  sent  a  military  plan  known  as
Operation  Searchlight; it was planned to curb the Bengalis' movement by
taking  control  of  major  cities,  and  eliminating  all   opposition,
political or military; and
 
  WHEREAS,  At  that time, Ziaur Rahman broadcasted a message that the
Independent People's Republic of Bangladesh had been established; and
 
  WHEREAS, At this point, March 26, 1971,  the  Bangladesh  Liberation
War  had  broken  out in the whole country; this was the day the Bengali
people stood up to the Pakistani Army; and
 
  WHEREAS, After a nine month long war,  the  Pakistani  army  finally
surrendered  unconditionally;  many lives were lost but Bangladesh, as a
country, gained its freedom, its independence; and
 
  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to  recognize  the
great  contributions  which the Bangladesh community have brought to our
State and Nation; and
 
  WHEREAS, Many Bangladesh people have made New York their  home,  and
this Legislative Body, representing the people of the State of New York,
is  pleased  to  thank  the Bangladesh people for their contributions to
this great Empire State; and
 
  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body  that  those  who
enhance  the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly  have  earned  the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
 
  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate March 28, 2017, as Bangladesh Day.
Celebrating March 28, 2017, as Bangladesh Day

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