SR551: SR551 Country of Bangladesh; recognize

This resolution from the Georgia Senate honors the Country of Bangladesh on the occasion of 53 years of diplomatic relations with the United States, which began after Bangladesh declared independence in 1971. It notes that more than 30,000 Bangladeshi Americans live in Georgia and describes cooperation between the two countries on trade, security, and development, citing about $10.6 billion in two way trade in 2024. The resolution also references a 2024 student led movement in Bangladesh that pushed for civil service quota reforms and a more democratic government, and it expresses support for the country's new caretaker government. It closes with the Senate formally recognizing and commending Bangladesh and directing the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies to the public and press. It does not change any Georgia law.

• Formally recognizes and commends the Country of Bangladesh on behalf of the Georgia Senate.
• States support for continued success of Bangladesh's new caretaker government.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
• Creates no new law, funding, or penalty; it is a symbolic statement rather than a regulatory change.

The resolution primarily affects the Bangladeshi American community in Georgia, estimated at more than 30,000 people, and serves as a formal statement of goodwill toward the Country of Bangladesh and its government from the Georgia Senate.

While the resolution carries no legal or financial effect, it is a public, official statement from the Georgia Senate acknowledging Bangladesh's diplomatic ties with the United States and the Bangladeshi American community living in Georgia.

• The whereas clauses describe 53 years of U.S.-Bangladesh diplomatic relations since Bangladesh's 1971 independence and recognition by the U.S. in 1972.
• The whereas clauses note more than 30,000 Bangladeshi Americans in Georgia and about half a million in the United States.
• The whereas clauses cite an estimated $10.6 billion in two-way trade between the U.S. and Bangladesh in 2024.
• The whereas clauses reference a 2024 student-led movement calling for civil service quota reforms and a more democratic government in Bangladesh.
• The resolving clause formally recognizes and commends Bangladesh and wishes it continued success.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available to the public and press.

1. 2025-04-04Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-04-02Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Sheikh Rahman (D, SD-005)Primary sponsor
• Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• Donzella James (D, SD-028)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)
• Emanuel Jones (D, SD-010)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)

• Bangladesh
• international relations
• Bangladeshi Americans
• ceremonial resolution