[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 8081-8082]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              IN HONOR OF THE AZERBAIJANI CULTURAL GARDEN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 7, 2008

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, and colleagues, I rise today in 
recognition of the grand opening of the Azerbaijani Cultural Garden on 
May 12, 2008.
  The Azerbaijani Garden is part of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens 
along Doan Brook in Cleveland's Rockefeller Park. I strongly support 
the addition of the Azerbaijani Garden as part of the Cleveland 
Cultural Gardens Federation and all the international communities 
represented through its gardens.
  The Cleveland Cultural Gardens date back to 1916 when the Shakespeare 
Garden was built. By 1926, the concept of a series of gardens, 
recognizing various nationalities, was established. The formal group 
was completed in 1939 with funding to a large degree provided by the 
federal government. At that time, a series of 18 gardens was dedicated 
to the City of Cleveland, symbolizing the fusion of distinct 
nationalities into one American culture.
  More importantly, these gardens stood for the brotherhood among all 
the people of all

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nations and to this day remain a unique embodiment of that purpose. On 
July 30, 1939, soil from 28 nations was deposited by ambassadors of 
those nations into a marble crypt into the Garden of Nations. Soil from 
historic shrines of the United States was also deposited into the 
adjacent Garden of the United States. In both ceremonies, the 
intermingling of the soils symbolized a united effort by people of all 
nationalities toward mutual understanding, harmony, peace, and 
brotherhood throughout the world.
  The Gardens are an important part of the city's history and reflects 
the diverse ethnicities and cultures that have been instrumental in the 
city's development. The symbolic meaning of the gardens is that people 
of diverse backgrounds, traditions, and religions can exist side by 
side in peace and harmony with the freedom to exercise their beliefs 
and cultures.
  With the addition of the Azerbaijani Garden, the Cleveland Cultural 
Gardens now consists of 27 individual gardens, with new gardens having 
been recently designated and even more under proposal. Recently, I 
proudly noted the dedication of the Indian and Latvian gardens. In 
addition to these and the Azerbaijani Garden, various stages of 
planning are underway for African-American, Native American, Serbian, 
Hispanic, Syrian, Croatian, Scottish, Nordic, Philippine, and 
Vietnamese gardens.
  I welcome not only the symbolism of so many great nations represented 
in these gardens, but the actual joining of the people of these nations 
in Cleveland. The Cleveland Cultural Gardens is frequently visited 
diplomatic, educational, or trade delegations when they are visiting 
Cleveland. I am proud that the people of Azerbaijan now have a place in 
Cleveland to celebrate their culture.
  Madam Speaker and distinguished colleagues, it is my hope that 
Azerbaijan's participation will help to fulfill our vision of the 
Cleveland Cultural Gardens as an international park for the people of 
all nations to come together in cooperation and peace. Please join me 
in celebrating the dedication of the Azerbaijani Cultural Garden and to 
welcome the Azerbaijani people to the family of nations represented at 
the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.

                          ____________________