[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 25, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E65]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING THE 32ND ANNIVERSARY OF BLACK JANUARY IN AZERBAIJAN

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                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 25, 2022

  Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the anniversary 
of the ``Black January'' killings, one of the most tragic events in 
Azerbaijan's history.
  Thirty-two years ago, on the night of January 20, 1990, approximately 
26,000 Soviet troops stormed Azerbaijan's capital city of Baku in tanks 
and armored vehicles. The Soviet military bulldozed and opened fired on 
innocent Azerbaijanis and peaceful protestors, including women and 
children. The resulting casualties of these brutal acts were 147 people 
killed, around 800 injured, 841 arrested, and 5 missing. I offer my 
thoughts and prayers to the families of those who gave their lives for 
the independence of Azerbaijan.
  Despite these merciless acts, the Azerbaijani people were not 
deterred. They continued to fight for their freedom and became 
independent in 1991. The United States was one of the first countries 
to recognize Azerbaijan's independence and fully established diplomatic 
relations on February 28, 1992. The relationship between our two 
countries endures to this day. The United States and Azerbaijan are 
strategic allies and share common interests in the region and globally.
  As the co-chairman of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, I urge my 
colleagues to recognize the sacrifices of the Azerbaijani people in 
their steps toward a free-market economy and encourage a recommitment 
to the democratic values for which many Azerbaijanis sacrificed their 
lives.

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