[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 52 (Wednesday, March 22, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING MRS. SVIATLANA TSIKHANOUSKAYA DURING HER UPCOMING VISIT TO 
WASHINGTON, D.C., ON MARCH 22-28, 2023, AND RECOGNIZING HER AS A LEADER 
            IN BELARUS'S STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. KEN BUCK

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 22, 2023

  Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, since the 2020 Presidential Elections, Mrs. 
Tsikhanouskaya has been an inspirational voice and global symbol of the 
ongoing peaceful struggle for democracy and freedom in the world.
  Mrs. Tsikhanouskaya selflessly stepped in to replace her husband, Mr. 
Siarhei Tsikhanouski, following his illegal arrest during his campaign 
for the Belarusian presidency.
  While initially disregarded by Belarusian Dictator, Alexander 
Lukashenko, she went on to win the elections, and has since been forced 
into exile where she continues her peaceful campaign for the 
restoration of democracy in her country.
  She continues to do so under the threat of arrest in Belarus, 
recently receiving a 15-year prison sentence in absentia from Belarus's 
autocratic regime.
  Following Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, Mrs. Tsikhanouskaya 
has met with leaders around the world to underline that Belarus's 
people do not support this conflict and stand in solidarity with their 
Ukrainian brothers and sisters.
  Mrs. Tsikhanouskaya's character is the epitome of `Asking not what 
her country can do for her, but what she can do for her country. She is 
not just an inspirational leader in the fight for democracy, but a 
symbol of global female leadership.
  Among dozens of distinctions, she received the Sakharov Prize awarded 
by the European Parliament, the 2022 International Four Freedoms Award, 
and the Charlemagne Prize.
  In 2021 and 2022, she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by 
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and Members of the Norwegian 
Parliament respectively.
  I welcome her to the United States of America and praise her strength 
of character and determined campaign to provide her citizens in Belarus 
the opportunity for a brighter, freer, and democratic future.

                          ____________________