[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 129 (Thursday, July 22, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E797-E798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR VARUZHAN NERSESYAN FOR HIS WORK 
              STRENGTHENING THE U.S.-ARMENIA RELATIONSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2021

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor His Excellency 
Varuzhan Nersesyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the 
Republic of Armenia to the United States. After nearly three years of 
dedicated service, Ambassador Nersesyan and his family will soon embark 
across the Atlantic to serve as Armenia's Ambassador to the United 
Kingdom.
  As Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, I would 
like to thank the Ambassador for his partnership and willingness to 
work together to strengthen the U.S.-Armenia relationship and share 
issues of importance relating to Armenia and the greater South Caucasus 
region.
  Over the past three decades, Armenia has faced three wars initiated 
by its neighbor, Azerbaijan, dual blockades by Turkey and Azerbaijan, 
the lingering impact of the devastating 1988 earthquake, energy 
shortages, an influx of Armenian refugees forcibly displaced from 
Azerbaijan, and periods of mass migration. Armenia has endured these 
challenges through the will of its people, who have strongly committed 
to democracy and the rule of law in contrast to many countries in the 
region. As a result, Armenia's last two parliamentary elections were 
free, fair, transparent, and accessible--a true testament to Armenia's 
democratic principles.
  The Ambassador has been a strong proponent of this democratic push, 
helping to enhance vibrant and strong U.S.-Armenia relations by helping 
to bring the legislative branches of our countries closer together. My 
colleagues in Congress and I have warmly welcomed our parliamentarian 
counterparts from Armenia in the U.S. Capitol. U.S. Congressional 
delegations have also been welcomed in Armenia, including a visit to 
Armenia involving Members of the House Democracy Partnership in 2019. 
We must continue this work of advancing our countries' mutual 
interests. The United States must continue rewarding innovative 
democracies and inclusive economies like Armenia. This is especially 
true in a region that is dominated by authoritarian regimes which have 
a tendency of perpetuating aggressions and attempting to stoke 
instability.
  Ambassador Nersesyan also exemplified the great personal strength and 
resolve shown of all Armenians as the world witnessed the heartbreaking 
44-day war in Artsakh perpetrated by Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Turkish-
backed mercenaries in the fall of 2020. Armenians in Artsakh have shown 
the international community that their right to self-determination in 
their centuries-old homeland must be taken seriously and their voices 
have been amplified by exemplary Armenian diplomats like the 
Ambassador. I witnessed his tireless dedication to advocating on their 
behalf for their right to self-determination and know his many efforts 
have not gone unheard in the United States Congress or in the current 
Administration.
  Ambassador Nersesyan's mission in Washington, D.C. is not his first 
experience in the United States. His deep knowledge of our country and 
commitment to diplomacy was evident when he served as Armenia's Deputy 
Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Armenia from 2008 and 2012. During 
that time, he also matriculated and graduated from my alma mater--the 
Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University--where he 
earned a Global Master of Arts.

[[Page E798]]

  During his time here, the Ambassador and his team have also done a 
wonderful job at showcasing Armenia's vibrant culture and history 
through many educational and artistic events in our nation's capital 
such as An Armenian Odyssey in early March 2020.
  Once again, I take this opportunity to salute Ambassador Nersesyan on 
his mission here in the United States. He has truly served in the 
United States with distinction and humility and has succeeded in 
strengthening U.S.-Armenia relations. I would like to bid him and his 
family farewell with the hope that he will continue to shine a bright 
light on behalf of his country in future diplomatic assignments.

                          ____________________