[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 97 (Friday, June 20, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1037]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       AZERBAIJAN'S REPUBLIC DAY

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 2014

  Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
Republic of Azerbaijan on its commemoration of Republic Day, a 
remembrance of an extremely important event in Azerbaijani history. 
When the Russian Empire collapsed in 1917, it brought chaos to the 
region. On May 28, 1918, the Muslim National Council adopted a 
Declaration of Independence, and established an independent Azerbaijan 
Democratic Republic in the southern and south-eastern Caucasus.
  Along with the establishment of this Democratic Republic, Azerbaijan 
adopted several laws, the most famous among these was the establishment 
of the right to vote for women, a full year before it was adopted in 
the United States. Azerbaijanis also received the rights to assembly, 
speech, and religion.
  This new and leading democracy flourished until it was crushed by a 
military attack of the Soviet Union in April 1920, and all government 
institutions of Azerbaijan were abolished. Sadly, it took another 71 
years of Russian repression until Azerbaijan could, once again, 
establish an independent Democracy.
  Today, we remember the courage and foresight of this independent 
Democratic Republic and we wish them well for the future.

                          ____________________