[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 170 (Tuesday, November 29, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1536-E1537]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN'S 25 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 2016

  Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Republic of 
Kazakhstan, which on December 16, 2016 will celebrate its independence 
day. For twenty five years, Kazakhstan and its people have stood out as 
a steadfast and true friend to the United States on an array of 
security and economic issues and have made tremendous strides in 
democratization and economic development.
  Since its independence, Kazakhstan has stood out as a reliable 
strategic partner in Central Asia to the United States and the North 
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Kazakhstan contributes to the 
reconstruction of Afghanistan, finances the education of thousands of 
Afghan immigrants and refugees, and has provided supply line access and 
support to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) 
Coalition. For the past thirteen years, Kazakh, American, and NATO 
security forces have conducted joint military training programs in the 
Central Asian steppes. According to the National Bank of Kazakhstan, 
American companies invested $24 billion in the Kazakh economy from 2005 
to 2016.
  However, the cornerstone of strong U.S.-Kazakhstan relations is 
nuclear nonproliferation. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, 
Kazakhstan inherited a nuclear weapons stockpile of 1,400 nuclear 
warheads, the fourth largest stockpile of nuclear weapons in the world. 
President Nursultan Nazarbayev expressed his early commitment to 
nuclear disarmament by decommissioning all 1,400 nuclear weapons.
  The government in Astana has remained committed to the global cause 
of nonproliferation ever since. Recently the country established the 
first-ever Low Enriched Uranium

[[Page E1537]]

Fuel Bank backed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 
order to ensure the stability of civil nuclear energy use worldwide. As 
a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council, President Nazarbayev 
has relentlessly pursued the cause of nuclear disarmament.
  Kazakhstan is also on the road to becoming a regional hub for 
sustainable economic activity in Central Asia. Its New Silk Road 
Initiative, the ``Bright Path'' stimulus plan, and the 2050 Strategy 
each mark President Nazarbayev's commitment to developing 
transportation and telecommunications infrastructure and his commitment 
to diversifying Kazakhstan's overall economy. Relatedly, Kazakhstan 
will host an International Exposition in 2017 that aims to create a 
global discourse among states, NGOs, and corporations about ensuring 
sustainable access to energy while reducing carbon emissions. These 
promising strides in economic development will not only help the Kazakh 
people, but will benefit American companies doing business in 
Kazakhstan.
  Mr. Speaker, I once again want to congratulate President Nazarbayev 
and the Kazakh people on the joyous occasion of their twenty fifth 
anniversary of independence, and I look forward to a continued, strong 
and resilient friendship between our two countries.

                          ____________________