[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 177 (Thursday, November 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2444-E2445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING MICHAEL J. OCHS' 20 YEARS OF SERVICE AT THE COMMISSION ON 
                   SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2007

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to pay 
tribute to Dr. Michael Ochs for his 20 years of untiring service to the 
U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Helsinki 
Commission. Michael began his work as a member of the professional 
staff on October 1, 1987, during a period that was to usher in historic 
change as well as turmoil in the expansive territory once dominated by 
the Soviet Union.
  After completing doctoral work in Russian history and driven by a 
deep commitment to aid the victims of Soviet oppression, Michael 
devoted himself to documenting wide-ranging human rights abuses in the 
U.S.S.R. He participated in the first international human rights 
conference to be convened in the U.S.S.R., a gathering eventually 
interrupted by the Soviet secret police, the KGB. Michael was also part 
of a delegation that visited the Baltic States shortly after the 
restoration of independence to those countries so brutally repressed 
during decades of Soviet domination.
  Michael was among the earliest pioneers in the observation of 
elections in the countries that arose following the unraveling of the 
Soviet empire. Amid triumph and tragedy, Michael has been at the 
forefront of efforts to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of 
law in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as the Central Asian 
counties of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and 
Uzbekistan. His depth of knowledge and understanding about each of 
these countries is only surpassed by his extensive network of contacts 
and friendships with many of the political leaders--some in 
government--many in the opposition. Dictators and democrats alike have 
come to appreciate his insights and analysis.
  He has been a witness to the triumphs of Georgia's Rose Revolution 
and the toppling of the regime in Kyrgyzstan as well as the tragedy of 
the bloody massacre at Andijon in Uzbekistan. Some of his friends have 
risen to the highest ranks of political leadership while others have 
paid the ultimate price for their defense of democracy and human 
rights.
  Madam Speaker, as Chairman of the Helsinki Commission I am pleased to 
recognize and commend Dr. Michael Ochs for his service to me and my 
colleagues.

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