Congratulating the People's Republic of Bangladesh on assuming the Presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H. Res. 1588 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1588

Congratulating the People's Republic of Bangladesh on assuming the Presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 28, 2026

Ms. Pou (for herself and Mr. Wilson of South Carolina) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

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RESOLUTION

Congratulating the People's Republic of Bangladesh on assuming the Presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Whereas, in 1971, the People's Republic of Bangladesh became an independent nation following a historic struggle for independence; Whereas Bangladesh and the United States established formal diplomatic relations in 1972; Whereas, according to estimates published by the United States Census Bureau in 2023, there are 300,000 people living in the United States who identify as Bangladeshi; Whereas Bangladesh and the United States are important trading partners, with goods and services trade between the two countries totaling an estimated $13,700,000,000 in 2025; Whereas the Armed Forces of Bangladesh and the United States military have a longstanding partnership that has been reaffirmed through joint exercises like Tiger Lightning and Tiger Shark that reinforce the commitment of both nations to promote peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region; Whereas Bangladesh is one of the largest contributors to United Nations peacekeeping operations, providing more than 4,000 military and police personnel; Whereas Bangladesh has shown extraordinary leadership in hosting over 1,000,000 Rohingya refugees, and the United States has assisted Bangladesh in providing humanitarian and other assistance to support those Rohingya refugees in camps in Bangladesh; Whereas, in July and August of 2024, large-scale protests were violently repressed by Government forces, with the United Nations estimating that 1,400 people were killed, leading to the resignation of the former Government and Prime Minister; Whereas, from August 2024 until February 2026, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal, led Bangladesh as Chief Advisor of an interim government through a period of transition, and convened a process of political reform; Whereas, on February 12, 2026, Bangladesh held parliamentary elections and a concurrent referendum in which 68 percent of voters endorsed constitutional and administrative changes designed to improve democracy and human rights; Whereas, following the February 12, 2026, elections, Tarique Rahman was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh; Whereas, on June 2, 2026, Khalilur Rahman, Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, was elected President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly; and Whereas, on June 30, 2026, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman approved the formation of a 10-member, multi-party American Caucus in parliament dedicated to strengthening bilateral ties between Bangladesh and the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) congratulates the People's Republic of Bangladesh on assuming the Presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly; (2) affirms the importance of the continued economic and security partnership between Bangladesh and the United States in promoting and protecting a free and open Indo-Pacific region; (3) recognizes the important steps taken by the Government of Bangladesh toward a peaceful democratic transition and encourages the Government to build on these steps by pursuing institutional reforms that promote transparency, accountability, and long-term political stability; and (4) expresses support for a successful and productive 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. <all>