‘‘On February 19, Representative Grace Meng (D-NY), along with Jim McGovern (D-MA), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), and Deb Haaland (D-AZ), introduced H.Res.139, supporting the goals tional mother vand ideals of International Mother Language Day in bringing attention to the importance of preserving linguistic and cultural heritage through education. The resolution was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Bangladesh is mentioned in the resolution: “Whereas the annual International Mother Language Day celebration date, February 21, was chosen to commemorate the day in 1952 in Bangladesh where students died demonstrating for recognition of Bengali as a national language of Pakistan;”

The Day was established by UNESCO on November 17, 1999 to promote linguistic diversity and multilingualism. The resolution notes that more than 200 languages have become extinct in the last three generations, with an additional 2,279 others classified as “endangered.” The resolution supports the goals and ideals of International Mother Language Day and encourages the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.

Rep. Meng has introduced this same resolution in the 115^th, 114^th, and 113^th Congresses. Each of the resolutions were referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, where it remained until the end of the respective Congress’’