Senate Resolution No. 2717

BY: Senator STAVISKY

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
September 25, 2024, as Bangladeshi Immigrant Day in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to increase awareness and enhance the
profile of cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of the
communities of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 25, 2024, as
Bangladeshi Immigrant Day in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, The year 2024 celebrates five decades of a successful
partnership between Bangladesh and the United States; Bangladeshi
immigrants left family and friends behind and began arriving in the
United States in the late 19th Century; and

WHEREAS, New York City is home to the largest and most vibrant
Bangladeshi community in America; the community is spread across the
Jackson Heights neighborhood in the borough of Queens; and

WHEREAS, For over 20 years, the Muktadhara Foundation, a New York
based organization dedicated to the promotion of Bengali culture, has
celebrated its history and culture through various community events
including the Bangla Festival and Book Fair; and

WHEREAS, With a variety of Bangladeshi grocery and clothing stores
and several authentic Bangladeshi restaurants, it is the ideal place to
visit if you want to both learn about and experience Bangladeshi
American culture; and

WHEREAS, Neighboring communities like Elmhurst and Woodside are also
home to a large population of Bangladeshi Americans; and

WHEREAS, Bangladesh achieved independence from Pakistan in 1971; and

WHEREAS, On September 25, 1974, an historic day for the Bengali
community, the first speech was delivered in the Bengali language to the
General Assembly of the United Nations; it was given by the father of
the nation of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman; and

WHEREAS, More than 10,000 Bangladeshis immigrate to the United
States annually, primarily from the regions of Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet
and Noakhali; and

WHEREAS, Today, there are more than 600,000 non-resident
Bangladeshis living in the United States; in 2018, there were over
80,000 Bengalis living in New York City; and

WHEREAS, New York is the center of Bangladeshi immigration to the
United States, and today has thriving Bangladeshi communities throughout

the five boroughs; over 250,000 Bangladeshi-born immigrants live in New
York, and it has become a hub for Bangladeshis since the 1970s; and

WHEREAS, Currently, the Bangladeshi community within New York is so
developed that it is one of the most welcoming places for Bangladeshis
to move to if they want to start a new life outside of Bangladesh; and

WHEREAS, There is also plenty of support in New York for Bangladeshi
immigrants; the Consulate General of Bangladesh in New York is able to
provide consular services and support for new immigrants and individuals
who have lived in New York for a while; this level of assistance is
testament to the development of a great community of Bangladeshis in New
York over the past five decades; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the perseverance of the
Bangladeshi people in their fight for independence as well as the
accomplishments of the Bengali people around the world and in the State
of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 25, 2024, as
Bangladeshi Immigrant Day in the State of New York, and to recognize the
many contributions of Bangladeshi-Americans to New York; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York; and Bishawjit Saha, CEO and Founder of the Muktadhara Foundation,
Inc.