Edward (Ted) M Kennedy Jr., son of late US Senator Edward M Kennedy and American politician Edward (Ted) M Kennedy Jr. referred to Dhaka University as one of the best universities in the world and said, "My father had planted a banyan sapling on this university campus in 1972."
The banyan tree stands as a symbol of friendship between the people of the two countries. He expressed the hope that this tree will bear the bond of friendship in future generations.
He made this remark while delivering a special speech titled 'Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of US-Bangladesh Relations' at Dhaka University's Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building on Monday.
Dhaka University Vice-chancellor Professor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman presided over the event. US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter D Haas and Cultural Affairs Attaché Miss Charlina Morgan-Hussain spoke on the occasion.
Kennedy Jr. said, “Bangladesh and the United States have had friendly relations for the past 50 years. He expressed the hope that the friendly bilateral relations will grow stronger in the next 50 years through mutual respect and cooperation. He highlighted the long history of relations between Bangladesh and the United States and said, "My father told us many stories about the people of Bangladesh, Dhaka University and the 1971 genocide." He also thanked the Bangladesh government for providing shelter to Myanmar refugees. Dhaka University Vice-chancellor Professor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman thanked Edward (Ted) M Kennedy Jr. for upholding his father's values. Recalling the outstanding contribution of the late US Senator Edward M Kennedy to the Great War of Liberation in 1971, the Vice Chancellor said, at that time, he mobilised international public opinion on behalf of Bangladesh.