[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 11181-11182]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF REPUBLIC DAY OF AZERBAIJAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 2008

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 90th 
anniversary of Republic Day, celebrated by the people of Azerbaijan and 
in recognition of the Republic's rich and diverse history.
  Every year on May 28, the Azerbaijani people celebrate the 
establishment of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan. It was on this 
day in 1918, that Azerbaijan was first declared as an independent 
Democratic Republic, the first of its kind in the Middle East. 
Azerbaijan connects the Eastern and Western worlds; located on the 
western coast of the Caspian

[[Page 11182]]

Sea, in the center of what was the historical Silk Road. The country is 
home to more than 70 diverse ethnic groups and its history can be 
traced back to over a million years ago to the Azykh cave. I join the 
Azerbaijani people in celebrating their rich cultural heritage and 
history on this year's Republic Day celebration.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor of the 
Azerbaijani people and in recognition of the country's rich culture and 
history.

                          ____________________