[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 92 (Monday, June 3, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E697]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING THE 101ST ANNIVERSITY OF THE FOUNDING OF AZERBAIJAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 3, 2019

  Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, last week, our friends in Azerbaijan 
celebrated Republic Day, honoring the 101st anniversary of the founding 
of their country.
  On May 28, 1918, the National Assembly of Azerbaijan adopted a 
Declaration of Independence, and formed the Azerbaijan Democratic 
Republic, the first secular parliamentary democracy in the Muslim 
world.
  In 1920, the Bolsheviks invaded the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic 
and established a Soviet government. Azerbaijan was forcefully 
incorporated into the USSR and suffered under the weight of the Soviet 
regime for many decades.
  Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Republic of 
Azerbaijan restored its independence on August 30, 1991.
  The United States recognized Azerbaijan as an independent state on 
December 25, 1991 and established official diplomatic relations with 
the Republic of Azerbaijan on February 19, 1992.
  As they rebuilt from the wreckage of the failed communist empire, 
Azerbaijan grew into a strong and reliable ally of the United States.
  Today, the Republic of Azerbaijan is not only a valuable partner of 
the United States, but also plays a critical role in the Caucasus and 
Central Asia. Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to render 
unconditional assistance to the United States after the terror attacks 
of September 11, 2001. It also has a strong friendship and partnership 
with Israel, one of the closest allies of the United States.
  Azerbaijan, as a participant in the North Atlantic Treaty 
Organization's (NATO) Partnership for Peace program, has supported 
NATO's peace operations in Afghanistan by providing troops from the 
Armed Forces of Azerbaijan to assist with the missions since 2002.
  As we commemorate this 101st anniversary of the founding of 
Azerbaijan, the United States remains grateful for the strategic 
relationship and enduring friendship between our two countries. 
Furthermore, we look forward to this strong and close friendship 
continuing and even growing stronger in the many years to come.

                          ____________________