[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 99 (Wednesday, May 27, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E489-E490]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING THE 102ND REPUBLIC DAY OF AZERBAIJAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 27, 2020

  Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, as one of the House Co-chairs of the 
Azerbaijan Caucus, I am honored to recognize the Republic Day of 
Azerbaijan, commemorating Azerbaijan's 102nd year of independence and 
democracy. On May 28, 1918, Azerbaijan became the first secular 
democratic state in the

[[Page E490]]

Muslim East. Though it was absorbed into the Soviet Union in 1920, 
Azerbaijan again declared its independence seven decades later in 1991, 
following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
  Azerbaijan's Republic Day serves as a time to highlight and reflect 
on some of the country's best qualities, including its strong 
relationship with Israel, its focus on energy security, and its key 
role in regional stability.
  A Muslim-majority country, Azerbaijan also hosts a thriving, secure 
Jewish community, and the Azerbaijan-Israel bilateral relationship is 
strong.
  Additionally, Azerbaijan is committed to protecting global energy 
security, especially through its efforts regarding the Southern Gas 
Corridor, which will decrease the Caspian region's dependence on 
Russian oil.
  A stalwart U.S. ally, Azerbaijan has aided U.S. and NATO forces by 
providing critical refueling stations, and Azerbaijan's troops have 
fought side-by-side with U.S. troops in Afghanistan. In addition, 
Azerbaijan has contributed to the security of Kosovo and Iraq and 
supports peacekeeping operations under the United Nations and NATO. 
Azerbaijan is also committed to global nonproliferation efforts and 
participates as a member of the Organization for Security and 
Cooperation in Europe.
  Azerbaijan is a significant U.S. partner in a strategically important 
area of the world, and I urge my colleagues to join me to commending 
the people of Azerbaijan on their Republic Day.

                          ____________________