[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 27, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E462-E463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        BANGLADESH NATIONAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 27, 2001

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 30th 
Independence Day of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
  On this important occasion, we should all remember the people who 
sacrificed their lives and others who endured immense suffering to 
achieve political self-determination. Despite this, and since achieving 
independence, the people and government of Bangladesh have played an 
increasing role in global peacekeeping and democratic consolidation.
  Bangladesh is roughly the size of the State of Wisconsin but has a 
population estimated at roughly 130 million. It is bounded by India 
from the north, east and west and by the Bay of Bengal and Myanmar from 
the south. Bangladesh has a rich historical and cultural past as a 
consequence of the influx of varied races and nationalities, including 
the Dravidian, Indo-Aryan, Mongol-Mughul, Arab, Persian, Turkic, Dutch, 
French and the English cultures.
  The area that is now Bangladesh was under Muslim rule for five and a 
half centuries, followed by British rule for another two centuries. It 
was, most recently, a province of Pakistan for 26 years. The people of 
Bangladesh achieved their Independence through a difficult nine month 
long war of liberation in 1971.
  Since Independence, the people of Bangladesh have overcome formidable 
challenges, including rapid population growth and food shortages. The 
country is consolidating democratic principles at home, is a partner in 
global peacekeeping efforts, has vast amount of undeveloped gas 
resources, and has become an exporter of development best practices 
abroad.
  The U.S.-Bangladesh bilateral relationship is deepening through trade 
and investment partnerships and an ongoing high-level official 
dialogue. President Clinton made a historic visit to Bangladesh in 
March 2000 and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made a reciprocal visit in 
October of that year.

[[Page E463]]

  To build on these achievements, I have established a bipartisan 
Congressional Bangladesh Caucus and invite all of my colleagues to join 
me in this endeavor. The Caucus will examine issues relevant to our 
bilateral relationship with the Bangladeshi government, and issues 
affecting the Bangladeshi-American community in order to facilitate the 
formation of coherent foreign policy with regard to Bangladesh.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the people of Bangladesh on the milestone 
of their 30th Anniversary as an Independent nation.

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