[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 94 (Friday, May 28, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING AZERBAIJAN ON ITS 103RD REPUBLIC DAY

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                           HON. STEVE CHABOT

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 28, 2021

  Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, as Co-Chair of the Congressional 
Azerbaijan Caucus, I rise today to recognize Azerbaijan on the occasion 
of its 103rd Republic Day.
  Azerbaijan has a proud history as an independent country, beginning 
in 1918. With its independence, Azerbaijan became the very first 
secular parliamentary democracy in the Muslim world. Azerbaijan was 
also among the first states to grant women the right to vote. 
Azerbaijan's commitment to these values shows the world that they are 
truly universal, and that self-government and the respect for 
individual rights is not inimical to Islamic traditions. Unfortunately, 
Azerbaijan's independence was soon snuffed out by the totalitarian 
USSR, which sought to spread values much different to those espoused by 
the fledgling Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
  After the fall of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan regained its 
independence. 2021 is particularly notable in this regard as it marks 
the thirtieth anniversary of this event.
  Today, Azerbaijan remains a close partner to the United States and 
our allies. Throughout the United States' and NATO's long deployment to 
Afghanistan, Azerbaijan has been integral in ensuring stable lines of 
communication to the country and has partnered with us in the wider war 
on terror. Additionally, I find it significant and praiseworthy that as 
a Muslim country, Azerbaijan maintains strong relations with the Jewish 
community and with our ally Israel, and has done so for some time. 
Finally, Azerbaijan is a key energy provider for Europe, helping our 
allies there diversify their energy supply away from Vladimir Putin's 
Russia. And Azerbaijan's importance as an energy provider will only 
grow as a result of the opening of the Southern Gas Corridor last 
December.
  Keeping in mind our relationship with Azerbaijan and its commitment 
to this partnership, I would encourage my colleagues to join me today 
in honoring Azerbaijan on its Republic Day.

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