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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud Pakistani Americans are marking the 74th |
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anniversary of Pakistan's independence on August 14, 2021; and |
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WHEREAS, Present-day Pakistan and other parts of the Indian |
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subcontinent were colonized by the British beginning in the 1750s, |
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and British rule continued for nearly 200 years; an independence |
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movement took root in the early 20th century and gained strength in |
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the decades that followed; in the midst of this seismic change, the |
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head of the All India Muslim League, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, strove to |
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ensure the security of the Muslim minority by demanding a separate, |
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self-governing state; and |
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WHEREAS, In the years immediately following World War II, the |
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British government sought to withdraw from the region; Prime |
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Minister Clement Attlee ceded control in August 1947, and India and |
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Pakistan became two separate countries; Pakistanis chose |
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Mr. Jinnah, known as Quaid-e Azam, or "Great Leader," to be |
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governor-general of their new nation; though he succumbed to |
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illness just 13 months after achieving his dream of independence |
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for his native land, his vision sustained Pakistan during its |
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difficult early days; almost three-quarters of a century later, the |
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country is home to more than 225 million people, and individuals who |
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trace their heritage to Pakistan are valued residents of |
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communities around the globe; and |
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WHEREAS, The observance of Pakistan Independence Day |
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provides an opportunity for Texans of Pakistani descent to |
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celebrate their rich cultural heritage, and it is indeed a pleasure |
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to join in marking this significant occasion; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commemorate Pakistan |
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Independence Day on August 14, 2021, and pay tribute to the |
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important contributions Pakistani Americans have made to our state |
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and nation. |