[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 22, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E705-E706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AZERBAIJAN DEMOCRATIC 
                                REPUBLIC

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 22, 2018

  Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Republic 
of Azerbaijan on the 100th Anniversary of its independence, which 
occurred on May 28, 1918. On the adoption of its Declaration of 
Independence, what was then known as the Azerbaijan Democratic 
Republic, became the first secular parliamentary democracy in the 
Muslim world.
  Since that time, Azerbaijan suffered an invasion by the Bolsheviks 
which led to the establishment of a Soviet government and ended with 
the forced incorporation of Azerbaijan into the Union of Soviet 
Socialist Republics (USSR). As the Soviet Union collapsed, the people 
of Azerbaijan readied themselves for

[[Page E706]]

yet another independence movement culminating in the restoration of 
their independence on August 30, 1991--the United States once again 
recognized Azerbaijan's independence on December 25, 1991. Since that 
Christmas Day over twenty-five years ago, the United States has 
supported the Republic of Azerbaijan's political independence, 
sovereignty, and territorial integrity within internationally 
recognized borders.
  Mr. Speaker, Azerbaijan has not only been a friend to the United 
States in our times of need, most notably after September 11, 2001, 
when Azerbaijan gave us their unconditional assistance in bringing to 
justice those who carried out that cowardly attack, but also to our 
dear friend Israel. Azerbaijan and Israel recently celebrated twenty-
five years of strong diplomatic relations. A relationship that has seen 
great growth in trade between the two nations and an ever increasing 
dedication to strengthening energy security in the region.
  Mr. Speaker, I extend my sincerest congratulations to the people of 
Azerbaijan as they celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the establishment 
of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

                          ____________________