[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8426]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDING

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED WHITFIELD

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 31, 2011

  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the people of the 
Republic of Azerbaijan, a strong strategic partner and ally of the 
United States, and congratulate them on celebrating their Republic Day 
on May 28. As co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Turkey, I have 
been particularly interested in the development of nations in the 
Middle East and Central Asia.
  On May 28, 1920, Azerbaijan declared its independence from the 
rapidly disintegrating Russian Empire. In doing so, Azerbaijan not only 
adopted a democratic form of government, but it also granted women the 
right to vote and embraced many other integral cornerstones of 
democracy.
  Sadly, their independence was cut tragically short when the Soviet 
Union invaded the nation in 1920 and ended Azerbaijan's dream of 
democracy in the 20th Century. That dream re-emerged in 1991 with the 
disintegration of the Soviet Union, and Azerbaijan declared its 
independence yet again and rejoined the world's community of democratic 
Nations. Having lived under Soviet rule, the people of Azerbaijan 
appreciate their role in a democratic civil society.
  Azerbaijan's geographical location has made it a crossroads for 
interaction between a number of diverse nations and religious 
traditions. This position has given it a unique ability to serve as a 
cultural and political bridge between traditionally Western and Eastern 
viewpoints. It also has a proud history of influential writers and 
artists, and its people have made a tremendous impact on the rich 
cultural framework of the South Caucasus region.
  I congratulate the people of Azerbaijan, and commend them on their 
continued efforts and commitment to build a strong and vibrant 
democracy in the critically important region of the South Caucasus.

                          ____________________