87S11178 BPG-D By: Jetton H.R. No. 54 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Proud Pakistani Americans are marking the 74th anniversary of Pakistan's independence on August 14, 2021; and WHEREAS, Present-day Pakistan and other parts of the Indian subcontinent were colonized by the British beginning in the 1750s, and British rule continued for nearly 200 years; an independence movement took root in the early 20th century and gained strength in the decades that followed; in the midst of this seismic change, the head of the All India Muslim League, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, strove to ensure the security of the Muslim minority by demanding a separate, self-governing state; and WHEREAS, In the years immediately following World War II, the British government sought to withdraw from the region; Prime Minister Clement Attlee ceded control in August 1947, and India and Pakistan became two separate countries; Pakistanis chose Mr. Jinnah, known as Quaid-e Azam, or "Great Leader," to be governor-general of their new nation; though he succumbed to illness just 13 months after achieving his dream of independence for his native land, his vision sustained Pakistan during its difficult early days; almost three-quarters of a century later, the country is home to more than 225 million people, and individuals who trace their heritage to Pakistan are valued residents of communities around the globe; and WHEREAS, The observance of Pakistan Independence Day provides an opportunity for Texans of Pakistani descent to celebrate their rich cultural heritage, and it is indeed a pleasure to join in marking this significant occasion; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commemorate Pakistan Independence Day on August 14, 2021, and pay tribute to the important contributions Pakistani Americans have made to our state and nation.