[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 130 (Monday, July 26, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E814-E815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNITION OF AMBASSADOR ELIN SULEYMANOV

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 26, 2021

  Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the diplomatic tour 
of Ambassador Elin Suleymanov of Azerbaijan. Since regaining 
independence in 1991, Azerbaijan has faced ethnic and geopolitical 
opposition, imperiling its independence and democracy. Ambassador 
Suleymanov--one of the longest-serving ambassadors in Washington--has 
served as a force of peace and diplomacy in the region, working 
honorably to advance prosperity and enhance the U.S. relationship with 
Azerbaijan. We congratulate him as the U.S. and Azerbaijan will mark 30 
years of diplomatic relations next year.
  Before his diplomatic tour, he was the first Azerbaijani to graduate 
from the University of Toledo in 1994 as a part of the U.S.- funded 
Muskie Fellowship. In 2004, Ambassador Suleymanov became the first 
Azerbaijani to receive the Master of Law and Diplomacy degree from the 
Fletcher School at Tufts University. Following his academic pursuits, 
he served as Azerbaijan's first Consul General in Los Angeles, 
establishing the nation's diplomatic presence on the West Coast.
  Ambassador Suleymanov's personal concern for Azerbaijan inspired his 
concerted advocacy for the refugee crisis. Before joining diplomatic 
service, he worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for 
Refugees, providing care and protection to the thousands of people 
displaced by the three-decades-long Armenia Azerbaijan conflict.
  Additionally, Ambassador Suleymanov has a special partnership with 
the State of Texas. The Ambassador is especially fond of the City of 
Laredo and has helped establish educational partnerships between TAMIU 
and universities in Azerbaijan. He has visited Laredo for the 
Washington Birthday Celebration more frequently than any other 
ambassador accredited in Washington, and he has a special appreciation 
for Laredo's own Palenque Grill.
  I am pleased to congratulate Ambassador Suleymanov on decades of 
building a strong

[[Page E815]]

relationship between Azerbaijan and the United States. I commend 
Ambassador Suleymanov's significant contribution to our legislative 
branch, working closely with Members of Congress to expand the 
Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus and deepen the friendship between our 
nations.

                          ____________________