[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H2413-H2414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR BANGLADESH'S RETURN TO DEMOCRACY
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 1215) expressing support for Bangladesh's
return to democracy, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1215
Whereas March 26 is the anniversary of Bangladesh's
independence;
Whereas the Constitution of Bangladesh, ratified in 1972
following a war of independence, established a democracy
ruled by and for the people of Bangladesh;
Whereas Bangladesh has a population of approximately
160,000,000 people, is the world's fourth most populated
Muslim country, and is a moderate and democratic Muslim
nation;
Whereas before elections in December 2008, Bangladesh held
what the international community viewed as three free and
fair elections in 1991, 1996, and 2001, respectively;
Whereas in October 2006, power was handed over to a
caretaker government before the January 22, 2007, scheduled
election and the caretaker government subsequently imposed a
state of emergency on January 11, 2007;
Whereas the United States House of Representatives passed a
resolution in September 2008 calling for the return of
democracy in Bangladesh;
Whereas the caretaker government of Bangladesh returned the
country to democracy through an election held on December 29,
2008;
Whereas the December 29, 2008, election was monitored by
numerous international election observers that declared the
election credible;
Whereas the United States Department of State welcomed
``the success of Bangladesh's parliamentary elections'' and
congratulated the ``Bangladesh Election Commission and the
thousands of government officials involved in organizing this
successful election'';
Whereas the Awami League, led by former Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina Wajed, won over two-thirds of the 300 seats in
Parliament and formed a new government in January 2009;
Whereas President Barack Obama awarded Muhammad Yunus the
Presidential Medal of Freedom in August 2009;
Whereas the United States Agency for International
Development reports that 49 percent of Bangladeshis live
below the poverty line;
Whereas Bangladesh's economy grew at an estimated rate of
5.7 percent in 2009;
Whereas the Anti-Corruption Commission in Bangladesh has
commenced serious efforts to address corruption; and
Whereas Bangladesh's long-term political stability and
economic progress are critical to the security of the South
Asian region: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) expresses its strong support for the people of
Bangladesh;
(2) encourages the strengthening and consolidation of
democracy in Bangladesh one year after the election;
(3) urges the Government of Bangladesh to work together
with all political leaders to continue and deepen
reconciliation;
(4) appreciates the Government of Bangladesh for making
progress in meeting the selection criteria of the Millennium
Challenge Corporation;
(5) urges the Government of Bangladesh to protect the
rights of religious and ethnic minorities in Bangladesh,
including the Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, Ahmadis, and
non-Muslim tribal peoples;
(6) urges the Anti-Corruption Commission in Bangladesh to
continue its efforts to eradicate corruption;
(7) urges the Secretary of State to coordinate with
Bangladesh on matters pertaining to security, economic
progress, and human rights in South Asia; and
(8) encourages the Secretary of State and the Administrator
of the United States Agency for International Development to
continue supporting the building of a strong civil society
and eradicating poverty in Bangladesh.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Crowley) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous materials on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. CROWLEY. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
[[Page H2414]]
I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1215, a measure to honor
Bangladesh's return to democracy. I'd like to thank the chairman of the
House Foreign Relations Committee, Chairman Berman, and Ranking Member
Ros-Lehtinen for their support of this resolution. I'd also like to
thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) for leading this effort
with me, along with other members of the House Caucus on Bangladesh.
Just 18 months ago, this House passed a resolution urging a return to
democracy in Bangladesh. At the time, we were concerned that Bangladesh
was creeping toward totalitarianism and authoritarianism, especially
after the ruling caretaker government postponed national elections. The
160 million people of Bangladesh faced an uncertain future.
Instead of succumbing to the temptations of permanent power, the
caretaker government ultimately scheduled nationwide elections. They
invited international election monitors into the country and created an
independent anticorruption commission. The elections were deemed
credible by numerous international observers, and, most importantly, by
the people of Bangladesh.
Today, the day before Bangladesh celebrates their Independence Day,
it is an opportunity for this House to honor the Bangladesh people and
their democracy. Bangladesh has made important strides towards reaching
the qualification requirements of the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
It has taken steps to create a path into government for women, and, not
least, the Bangladeshis have worked very hard to fight extremism.
Bangladesh has become an important partner of the United States. Even
as it faces challenges with serious poverty, threats from climate
change, and extremism, the Bangladeshi people have shown remarkable
resilience, creativity, and principle. This is exactly the kind of
country the United States ought to work with and do more to support,
not because the situation on the ground is perfect, but because by
working together we have clearly created a better path forward.
In the coming months, I hope the Bangladeshi authorities will make
every possible effort to deepen and strengthen political reconciliation
within their country. I also hope the Bangladeshi people and their
government will work with us to identify stronger mechanisms to improve
assistance and protection for refugees fleeing from neighboring
countries. Inside Bangladesh, the protection of minorities must remain
a high priority for its government. At the same time, I hope the
international community will more quickly wake up to the positive
changes Bangladesh has made thus far.
The fact is, Bangladesh is a moderate Muslim nation of 160 million
people that wants to work with the United States of America. I hope
that our government can find more ways to work alongside Bangladesh to
support good governance, human rights, and development. There's clearly
much more that we can do to work together.
For today, though, we honor Bangladesh, the Bangladeshi people, and
the many hardworking Bangladeshi Americans on their national day, a day
that I know that they treasure. As an independent, moderate, and
democratic nation, Bangladesh deserves no less.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I wish to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOOZMAN. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of H. Res. 1215, a measure expressing the support
of the American people for Bangladesh's return to democracy.
Mr. Speaker, the United States and Bangladesh have been friends for
more than a half a century. We have worked together to build a strong
and lasting democracy. The United States welcomed the free, fair, and
transparent elections that occurred in December 2008. The United States
is proud to have supported that effort, and we will continue to support
efforts to improve and promote development, democracy, social harmony,
and mutual tolerance.
The United States attaches a great importance to South Asia. In this
context, the good news coming out of Bangladesh related to democratic
development, economic progress, and rejection of violent extremism. All
of this is being strongly welcomed in Washington. In this regard, we
are all pleased that ties between our two countries continue to deepen.
Our two governments are working closely to address global challenges,
including climate change, food security, terrorism, and pandemic
disease.
I would particularly like to highlight longstanding U.S. efforts to
empower women at the grassroots level, including through helping local
governments be more transparent and accountable to the Bangladeshi
people. Meanwhile, the growing voice of the Bangladeshi American
community in Arkansas and elsewhere around the country is helping to
strengthen and extend people-to-people ties between our two vibrant
societies.
In conclusion, I support the adoption of the resolution.
Having no further speakers, I yield back the balance of our time.
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arkansas for his
being here in support of this resolution and the minority for
supporting this resolution and the timely manner in which you allowed
this to come to the floor. I appreciate it tremendously. I know all the
members of the Bangladeshi Caucus appreciate it as well.
Mr. Speaker, I have had the opportunity to visit Bangladesh on
several occasions, and I have tremendous respect for the people of
Bangladesh. They're hardworking, good people, and they love America.
It's amazing the outpouring of affection that I experience when I go to
that country.
I also want to say that post-9/11, on my first visit to Bangladesh,
the desire for the Bangladeshi people to strengthen the ties between
our two nations was palpable then. I know in this new government, the
post-caretaker government, it is as strong today as it was after 9/11.
And for a country of 160 million Muslim people with a considerable
minority population within that population, as well, of Hindu and
Christian and other religions, that bond between our nations is as
strong as ever. I also recognize that not everything is perfect in
Bangladesh and that they're working towards making it a stronger and a
better democracy for its people, but also for the region in which
Bangladesh lies.
So, Mr. Speaker, with that, I just want to thank, again, the minority
for this opportunity to congratulate Bangladesh as they celebrate their
Independence Day, and the people of Bangladesh and Bangladeshi
Americans who hold very dear March 26 as Bangladeshi Independence Day.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1215, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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