LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION celebrating March 26, 2016, 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 Pakis-
tan; and
WHEREAS, East Pakistani leader Mr. 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 Opera-
tion Searchlight; it was planned to curb the Bengalis' movement by
taking control of major cities, and eliminating all opposition, poli-
tical 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; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate March 26, 2016, as Bangladesh Day.