[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 154 (Tuesday, November 30, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         REMEMBERING JOHN ALVIS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 30, 2010

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, ten years ago today, our world 
lost a great champion for global democracy and the rule of law.
  John Alvis, a close friend and constituent of mine, was murdered on 
November 30, 2000 in Baku, Azerbaijan where he was working for the 
cause most dear to his heart spreading democracy around the globe. For 
those of you who never had the honor to meet John, I'd like to tell you 
today about this 36 year old idealistic warrior for international 
democracy who never met a stranger.
  I first got to know John when he helped guide my first campaign for 
Congress and in 1999, I was honored to witness first hand John's impact 
around the globe as he assisted the Republic of Georgia in their 
transition to a democratic government. His passion to export American 
democratic principles was unrivaled and that lead him from his home in 
Texas to the former Soviet Union.
  John's young life was ended by an unknown assailant while he serving 
as a resident director of the International Republican Institute, 
training campaign workers and election officials in Azerbaijan. One of 
his colleagues there probably described John best as someone who 
``touched the lives of everyone he came in contact with.'' I and 
members of my staff remember John for his infectious laugh, his great 
sense of humor, his passion for all things politics, his love for man's 
best friend, his Dalmatian Jersey, and his innate ability to keep 
people together even in the toughest of times.
  Even though it was just two weeks before John was due to return home 
to celebrate Christmas that he was killed, this proud Aggie lives on 
through the recipients of the John Alvis Memorial Scholarship at Texas 
A&M University who exemplify his passionate American Patriotism through 
their public service.
  I am concerned that John's murder remains unsolved. Madam speaker, I 
want to take this opportunity to impress on the Government of 
Azerbaijan and the FBI the necessity to continue to press to bring 
those responsible for this heinous act to justice.

                          ____________________