[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 18 (Wednesday, February 6, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E112-E113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   23RD ANNIVERSARY OF BLACK JANUARY

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 6, 2013

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to 
commemorate the 23rd anniversary of a tragic event in the history of 
the country of Azerbaijan.
  On the night of January 19, 1990, Azerbaijan was invaded by thousands 
of Soviet troops. These troops entered Azerbaijan under the pretext of 
restoring public order, but with the true aim of ending peaceful 
demonstrations for independence.
  Despite resistance to the Soviet troops by Azerbaijanis, more than 
130 Azerbaijani people were killed and hundreds more were wounded or 
detained indefinitely. This episode came to be known as ``Black 
January,'' a terrible event that only sharpened the desire for 
independence among the people of Azerbaijan.

[[Page E113]]

  By 1991, popular pressure had restored the independence of 
Azerbaijan. On August 30, 1991, Azerbaijan's Parliament adopted the 
Declaration on the Restoration of the State Independence of the 
Republic of Azerbaijan, and on October 18, 1991, the Constitutional Act 
on the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan was approved. 
The United States established diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan in 
1992. Since then, Azerbaijan has been a steadfast ally to the United 
States and an important strategic partner in the region.
  Each year, the people of Azerbaijan remember those who lost their 
lives on Black January in 1990 and honor their sacrifice through their 
commitment to the ideals of democracy.
  I urge my colleagues to commit to fostering a strong partnership 
between the United States and Azerbaijan so that together, we can 
promote freedom and democracy around the world.

                          ____________________