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 Kahn,
president of Pakistan and commander in chief of the armed
forces, and Sheikh Mujib occurring over the month of March; and
WHEREAS, On March 26, 1971, Sheikh Mujib 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
WHEREAS, There is a Bangladeshi community here in
20230HR0280PN2409 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30