[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 30, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRATULATING UZBEKISTAN ON ITS INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 30, 2013

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
Uzbekistan on 22 years of independence. The United States has supported 
Uzbekistan's sovereignty following its independence from the Soviet 
Union in 1991.
  Uzbekistan is a key partner in supporting international efforts in 
Afghanistan. Uzbekistan has supported North Atlantic Treaty 
Organization (NATO) troops in Afghanistan through provision of 
electricity, development of rail infrastructures and the Northern 
Distribution Network. Uzbekistan was the United States' main regional 
partner in the war on terrorism.
  But our relationship with Uzbekistan has developed beyond 
Afghanistan. I commend President Islam Karimov for strengthening U.S.-
Uzbekistan relations and for providing stability in one of the world's 
tougher neighborhoods. Under his leadership, the United States and 
Uzbekistan are cooperating on security, economic relations, political 
and civil society issues, agricultural development, transnational 
crime, and the threat of infectious disease.
  As a result of strong bilateral relations between our countries, 
Uzbekistan is becoming an attractive investment location for United 
States companies including Coca-Cola, Case New Holland, Lockheed 
Martin, Boeing, Caterpillar, and others. Just last year, 50 executives 
from top United States companies took part in the annual Uzbekistan-
U.S. Business Forum.
  With the largest population in Central Asia and a fast-growing 
economy, Uzbekistan is also a major producer of energy and minerals. 
Uranium is one of Uzbekistan's largest exports to the United States.
  Uzbekistan's history spans more than 2,500 years. Samarkand is the 
second largest city in Uzbekistan and is as old as Rome, Athens and 
Babylon. Samarkand is one of the most important cities in Central Asia. 
It is the city of legends. Registan Square is considered an 
architectural gem representing the finest in Islamic art. The Mausoleum 
of Tamerlane houses a massive slab of green jade under which Tamerlane 
the conqueror is buried, and is thought to be the largest such stone in 
the world. Today, Samarkand is included in the UNESCO World Heritage 
List.
  Once an important trading center at the crossroads of the Great Silk 
Road connecting Asia and Europe, Uzbekistan is, again, emerging as a 
regional and global leader. And so, it is my honor to congratulate 
President Karimov and the people of Uzbekistan on their Independence 
Day and to extend to them my best wishes for a bright and prosperous 
future.

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