[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 17 (Thursday, January 28, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E63]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF GALIYA UMAROVA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 28, 2016

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I inform 
this House that on January 4, 2016, Galiya Umarova, wife of Ambassador 
Kairat Umarov of Kazakhstan passed away.
  The Ambassador and Galiya were married for thirty years.
  Their son, Gaini, currently works for an international consulting 
group in Astana, Kazakhstan.
  Galiya and her husband have known each other much longer than the 
beginning of his diplomatic career.
  The two met in English class, where he entertained her with his funny 
stories.
  Galiya grew up in Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city and the country's 
foremost historical, financial and cultural center.
  She dedicated her life to the promotion of the importance of 
education and was a passionate supporter of building progress in her 
home country, including her husband's work on behalf of his country.
  For example, the Ambassador and Galiya were posted to the United 
States capitol three different times in the span of 15 years.
  Known as the land of peace and prosperity, the beautiful country of 
Kazakhstan sits on 3,000 years of extraordinary history.
  The country's development has been influenced by legends such as 
Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan.
  For centuries, the Silk Road through Kazakhstan served as one of the 
world's oldest and most historically significant trade routes.
  All of this has contributed to the richness of the Kazakh culture and 
its capacity to adapt and develop.
  Much like her home country, Galiya Umarova adapted and developed as 
she accompanied her husband throughout his diplomatic service for his 
country.
  In fact, Galiya adapted to the DC life by driving herself around 
town, navigating the hectic DC traffic.
  Galiya and the Ambassador traveled the world over, spreading the 
imperative of cultural tourism, the beautiful culture of Kazakhstan and 
its over 140 different ethnic groups, while working to promote peace at 
home and in bilateral relations such as its relationship with the 
United States.
  The couple embodied what former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan 
declared about their country: ``Kazakhstan may serve as an example of a 
peaceful multiethnic country where ethnic diversity is a blessing, but 
not a curse.''
  Kazakhstan is located in the central part of Eurasia, almost 
equidistant from the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
  Indeed, throughout history, Kazakhstan was an arena for brisk 
commercial and political relations and it now plays an important role 
as a link between Europe, Central Asia and the rapidly developing 
Asian-Pacific region.
  Notwithstanding her husband's busy diplomatic schedule over the past 
2 decades, Galiya worked hard to bring balance into her family life.
  For example, she always found time to enjoy comedy films with her 
family.
  She also enjoyed a variety of hobbies such as tennis, golf, 
practicing yoga, growing her own natural fruits and vegetables in her 
garden.
  Today, I hope my colleagues will join me in sending prayers and 
condolences to Ambassador Umarov and his family.
  I also ask for a moment of silence in Galiya Umarova's honor and 
memory.

                          ____________________