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Congressman Joseph Crowley on Bangladesh
Congressman Crowley is a strong supporter of Bangladesh and represents the largest concentration of Bangladeshi Americans in the United States. Congressman Crowley has traveled to Bangladesh three times. Congressman Crowley has consistently been a good friend and vocal advocate of the Bangladeshi people. The Congressman, who is the founder and co-chair of the Congressional Bangladesh Caucus, has been meeting with prominent members of the Bangladeshi community to discuss issues of concern to the community.
Congressional Bangladeshi Caucus
The interests of the Bangladeshi community in New York's Seventh Congressional District served as the catalyst for the establishment of the Congressional Bangladeshi Caucus. The caucus was established to provide a forum in which members may address the concerns vital to this important South Asian nation.
In recognition of his interest and dedication to Bangladesh and its people, and the Bangladeshi-American community, Congressman Crowley established the Bangladesh Caucus in March 2001. The Caucus currently has 29 Members of Congress.
Issues such as textile exports, water quality, and natural gas top this comprehensive agenda. It is the objective of this caucus to strengthen bilateral relations, foster cooperation with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in Bangladesh, and improve the overall standard of living for Bangladeshi people.
Congressional Bangladeshi Caucus Members (109th Congress):
Rep. Joseph Crowley (NY-07), Founder, Co-Chair
Rep. Gary Ackerman (NY-05), Co-Chair
Rep. Peter King (NY-03), Co-Chair
Rep. Mark Steven Kirk (IL-10), Co-Chair
Rep. Neil Abercrombie (HI-01)
Rep. Michael Capuano (MA-08)
Rep. William Delahunt (MA-10)
Rep. Eliot Engel (NY-17)
Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX-18)
Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02)
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (NY-14)
Rep. Jim McDermott (WA-07)
Rep. Gregory Meeks (NY-06)
Rep. Dennis Moore (KS-03)
Rep. Jim Moran (VA-08)
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY-08)
Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ-06)
Rep. Bill Pascrell (NJ-08)
Rep. Thomas Petri (WI-06)
Rep. David Price (NC-04)
Rep. Silvestre Reyes (TX-16)
Rep. Ed Royce (CA-40)
Rep. Brad Sherman (CA-27)
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (MD-08)
Rep. Anthony Weiner (NY-09)
Rep. Robert Wexler (FL-19)
Rep. David Wu (OR-01)
Working to Encourage Political and Economic Development in Bangladesh
- Looks forward to working with the government and opposition party to improve the lives of Bangladeshis.
- Calls on the government to make important judicial reforms and long-delayed economic and environmental decisions.
- Traveled to Bangladesh in January 2002, January 2004, and February 2006 to meet with political leadership.
- Met with opposition leader Sheikh Hasina, former U.S. Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, former U.S Ambassador Mary Ann Peters, and leaders of the Bangladeshi-American community.
- Regularly raises rule of law, minority rights, religious freedom, trafficking in women, child labor, the rise of extremism, and other human rights issues with senior Bangladeshi and U.S. Government officials.
- Met with representatives from Chevron and Unocal to facilitate U.S. investment in Bangladesh's natural gas industry and discuss ways to improve the business climate in Bangladesh.
Ensuring Safe Drinking Water in Bangladesh
- Congressman Crowley successfully offered an amendment to help reduce arsenic in the drinking water in Bangladesh and throughout South Asia through programs at the Asian Development Bank.
- This amendment was to Section 13 of H.R. 2604, the bill that reauthorized US support for the Asian Development Bank, and passed the House of Representatives by voice vote.
- Strongly supports the efforts of the U.S. Geologic Survey and others involved in trying to provide a solution to the clean drinking water problem in Bangladesh.
- Secured Sense of Congress language in the State Department Appropriations Bill, calling on the Secretary of State to report on actions to provide solutions to this serious problem and to help expedite treatment for those currently sick from arsenic poisoning.
- Will introduce an amendment to the Export-Import Reauthorization Bill that directs the Department of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Director of the Asian Development Bank to use the voice and vote of the U.S. to support projects that will address arsenic contamination in Bangladesh.
Congressman Crowley on Acts of Violence against Muslims and People of South Asian Descent
- Strongly condemns any and all attacks against Muslims and Americans of South Asian descent.
- Has signed on to an historic resolution (H. Con. Res. 277) that condemns bigotry, intimidation and violence directed against Arab-Americans, Muslims, and Americans of South Asian descent.
Working To Remove Limitations on Exports of Bangladeshi Garments to the U.S.
- Supports helping the Bangladeshi and the Bangladeshi-American textile business community achieve a fair and equitable solution to the market access issue
- Met with Bangladeshi government officials and garment industry leaders, as well as congressional colleagues, to highlight the benefits of securing duty-free/quota-free access for Bangladeshi garments imported into the United States.
- Led letter to the U.S. Trade Representative, signed by 5 Members of Congress, urging that Administration merge quota categories to permit Bangladesh to export more cotton garments to the U.S.
- Introduced the Tariff Relief Assistance for Developing Economies Act of 2005 (TRADE Act). The bill would provide the possibility for Bangladesh and 14 other countries to remain competitive with China and the other countries that will benefit from the end of the quota system and will help U.S. brands and retailers to avoid becoming overly dependent on Chinese suppliers.
Congressman Crowley on Extension of Section 245(i)
- Voted for legislation to extend the filing deadline for section 245(i) of the U.S. Immigration Law, which applies to qualifying alien children and spouses and employees.
- Supports three pieces of legislation that would extend the deadline for filing for citizenship under section 245(i), one for six months, another would extend the deadline for one year, the third would extend it permanently.
- Supported legislation passed by the House of Representatives that gave three months to allow certain immigrants who have been in the United States since 1986 to begin the process of becoming full citizens.
Congressman Crowley on Repayment of P.L. 480 Debt owed by the Government of Bangladesh to the United States
- Strongly supports debt relief for Bangladesh, which currently amounts to $441.9 million.
- Voted for reauthorization of the Tropical Forest Conservation Act, which provides $6 million in debt relief for Bangladesh.
National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS)
- Congressman Crowley sent a letter to Attorney General John Ashcroft requesting a detailed explanation behind the decision to add Bangladesh to the NSEERS list and the evidence that was presented to him.
- The letter also requested a list of the specific criteria used to determine which countries are placed on the NSEERS list. If the Attorney General could not produce evidence supporting his decision, Congressman Crowley requested the Attorney General remove Bangladesh from the NSEERS list.
Asian University for Women
- Secured $1 million from the United States International Agency for International Development (USAID) for AUW in FY 2003.
- Has worked to continue the support of USAID for AUW from FY 2004 Ð FY 2007.
- On January 13, 2004, Congressman Crowley spoke at the groundbreaking of AUW in Chittagong, Bangladesh. Also in attendance was Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
Working to Provide Safety for the People of Bangladesh
- Author of an amendment to add $10 million to the International Disaster Assistance Foundation (H. AMDT. 211 to H.R. 2506).
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