[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 100 (Monday, June 13, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





               RECOGNIZING THE REPUBLIC DAY OF AZERBAIJAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 13, 2022

  Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, as Co-chair of the House Azerbaijan 
Caucus, I am honored to recognize the Republic Day recently celebrated 
in Azerbaijan.
  On May 28, 1918, the National Assembly of Azerbaijan adopted their 
Declaration of Independence, becoming the first secular democracy in 
the region. After being invaded by the Soviet Union and incorporated 
into the USSR, Azerbaijan again restored its independence on August 30, 
1991.
  Azerbaijan is a significant partner to the United States and plays a 
key role in energy security, supporting Israel, and ensuring stability 
in the region.
  Azerbaijan has been a leader in the Southern Gas Corridor, which will 
ultimately decrease the Caspian region's dependence on Russian oil, a 
critical effort especially at this time of Russian aggression.
  A strong ally to the U.S. and other international partners, 
Azerbaijan has stood strong with the U.S. and NATO forces by providing 
critical refueling stations and fighting side-by-side with U.S. troops 
in Afghanistan. Azerbaijan contributed to the security of Kosovo and 
Iraq, and promotes peacekeeping operations under the United Nations and 
NATO. Committed to global nonproliferation efforts and peacekeeping 
operations, Azerbaijan also participates as a member of the 
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
  Given Azerbaijan's position as a partner of the United States in a 
critical area of the world, I urge my colleagues to join me in 
expressing support for Azerbaijan's independence and commending the 
people of Azerbaijan on their Republic Day.

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