[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9163]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        AZERBAIJAN REPUBLIC DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 28, 2014

  Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 
to honor the people of the Republic of Azerbaijan and congratulate them 
on the 96th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
  A country of historic proportions--Azerbaijan became the first 
democratic and secular republic in the Muslim world on May 28, 1918. 
Despite a time and region that posed many barriers to elements of 
democracy, on this Republic Day, all Azerbaijani's were given the right 
to vote regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender, or race, 
revolutionizing the country and region.
  On May 28, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson met with the Azerbaijan 
delegation to recognize their dedication and commitment to principles 
of liberty, justice, and equality. And at the Paris Peace Talks, as a 
sign of respect and admiration between our two countries, President 
Wilson was given a copy of the memorandum containing the boundaries, 
economic and financial conditions, and ethnic composition of the newly 
constructed Republic.
  Even today, the U.S. and Azerbaijan continue to maintain strong 
international and economic relations with one another. Azerbaijan has 
been actively involved in operations in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Iraq 
and a committed partner to energy development in the Caspian region. 
One such example, The Istanbul Protocol, led to the construction of the 
1,040-mile long Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline that is owned and 
operated by American firms. In 2006 the BTC pipeline began its first 
oil deliveries and has become a vital part of delivering Caspian Sea 
resources to global markets.
  While Azerbaijan's independence was tragically interrupted during the 
Russian Red Army invasion in 1920, the people of Azerbaijan persisted. 
Following the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991, Azerbaijan 
restored their democracy and has enjoyed a fruitful 23 years of 
stability and prosperity.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment and recognize the 
important bilateral relationship and valued connections between our two 
countries. It is my distinct pleasure to congratulate the people of 
Azerbaijan during their celebration of the 96th anniversary of Republic 
Day.

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