[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 179 (Tuesday, October 28, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1012]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE REPUBLIC DAY OF KAZAKHSTAN

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. SYDNEY KAMLAGER-DOVE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 28, 2025

  Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE. Mr. Speaker, as Ranking Member of the House 
Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, I 
rise today alongside my colleague and Chair, Mr. Huizenga of Michigan, 
to honor and congratulate the people of Kazakhstan as they mark the 
Republic Day of Kazakhstan, which commemorates Kazakhstan's declaration 
of sovereignty independent of the Soviet Union on October 25, 1990. The 
United States has remained committed to Kazakhstan's sovereignty, 
independence, and territorial integrity. Now, as a valued strategic 
partner of the United States, our nations work together to advance 
security, peace, and prosperity.
  Kazakhstan inherited a massive nuclear stockpile and legacy sites for 
chemical and biological weapons research following the dissolution of 
the Soviet Union. The voluntary commitment to rapidly remove these 
weapons from its territory and accede to the Non-Proliferation Treaty 
and other key arms control measures was a model for the region and the 
world. Kazakhstan has also made significant contributions to UN 
peacekeeping missions, including independent deployments of 
peacekeepers from 2024. These efforts support stability and security in 
both Central Asia and the wider world.
  U.S. companies remain the largest source of foreign direct investment 
in Kazakhstan, helping build resilient supply chains driving 
Kazakhstan's economic diversification, supply chain resiliency, and 
sustainable economic development. Last month, Wabtec Corporation and 
Kazakhstan Temir Zholy announced a $4.2 billion locomotive deal, 
reflecting deepening cooperation between Kazakhstan and American firms.
  We reiterate our commitment to advancing repeal of the outdated 
Jackson-Vanik Amendment, which will allow us to fully realize the 
potential of this relationship. We also applaud Kazakhstan's efforts to 
position itself as a key Eurasian transit hub. We believe it is in our 
shared interest to improve Central Asian connectivity with global 
markets to boost the resilience of supply chains, and will seek ways to 
support the realization of the Trans-Caspian ``Middle Corridor.'' In 
addition to continued dialogue to safeguard critical technologies and 
improve the investment climate, we hope that the ongoing process of 
constitutional and political reform in Kazakhstan initiated in 2022 
will strengthen governance and human rights.
  On the occasion of Kazakhstan's Republic Day, we can reflect on our 
enduring friendship and the bright future of our strategic partnership. 
We look forward to continued high-level engagement with Kazakhstan, 
both bilaterally and in multilateral fora. In particular, we believe 
the anticipated [EA5] C5+1 Leaders' Summit in Washington, D.C. would be 
a pivotal opportunity to strengthen longstanding United States 
cooperation with Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me and Representative Huizenga in honoring 
Kazakhstan's Republic Day.

                          ____________________