Recognize Bangladesh Day

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.