[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 87 (Friday, May 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             AZERBAIJAN MARKS 89TH ANNIVERSARY OF REPUBLIC

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2007

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, in venues ranging from 
the Bundestag to the U.S. Congress to the streets of Baku, Azerbaijanis 
worldwide will mark their National Day of the Republic this upcoming 
week. Since achieving independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, 
Azerbaijan has remembered May 28 as the date, in 1918, when the country 
was proclaimed an independent state, making it the first democratic 
republic in the Caucasus region.
  Though it lasted only 2 years, from May 1918 to April 1920, this 
first democratically elected Azerbaijani government worked on building 
an independent and democratic state.
  Members of the Azerbaijani Diaspora regard the date as a key one 
among the numerous commemorative days they observe each year.
  Even when such a state did not formally exist anywhere on the world 
map, it existed in our hearts, our souls, and our minds, said Tomris 
Azeri, president of the Azerbaijan Society of America. It is this 
strong sense of being an Azerbaijani, which we are now free to show to 
ourselves and the world. And with that freedom for Azerbaijan has come 
growing prosperity, and growing respect, involvement, and influence in 
the world community.
  I commend Ambassador Yashar Aliyev for his hard work and dedication. 
I look forward to the United States continuing a successful 
relationship and strong friendship with the people of Azerbaijan.

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