[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 28, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E850-E851]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING AZERBAIJAN REPUBLIC DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. VIRGINIA FOXX

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 28, 2014

  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me today in 
recognizing the 96th Azerbaijan Republic Day.
  Republic Day celebrates Azerbaijan's declaration of independence from 
the Russian Empire in 1918.
  That hard-won independence, however, was short-lived as the new 
Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan was soon occupied by the Soviet 
Union. After the Soviet collapse in 1990, Azerbaijan regained its 
independence.
  A valuable international ally, Azerbaijan was among the first nations 
offering unconditional support to the United States in the war against 
al Qaeda, providing a safe transit route to resupply our troops in 
Afghanistan.
  Azerbaijan leads the Central Asian area in regional economic 
cooperation and is a key player in European energy security matters.

[[Page E851]]

  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in thanking the people of 
Azerbaijan for their friendship and in congratulating Azerbaijanis 
around the world on the anniversary of Republic Day.

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