[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 71 (Thursday, May 17, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H2823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           20TH ANNIVERSARY OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE

  (Mr. CICILLINE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join the people of 
Nagorno-Karabakh in recognizing the 20th anniversary of the 
independence of Nagorno-Karabakh and of the formation of the Republic's 
army.
  Twenty years ago, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh fought and died for 
their independence from Soviet Azeri repression and discrimination. 
From the earliest days of its formation, the Republic's freely elected 
governmental bodies have built an open democratic society through free 
and transparent elections. Over the next few days, families of Armenian 
descent throughout my home State of Rhode Island will honor the 20th 
anniversary of the formation of the Republic's army and the liberation 
of Shushi.
  Today, the Rhode Island General Assembly will be joined by Mr. Robert 
Avetisyan, the Permanent Representative of the Nagorno-Karabakh 
Republic to the United States, as they adopt a resolution supporting 
the Republic's efforts to develop as a free and independent Nation--a 
fact that many Rhode Islanders take great pride in.

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