[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13326]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  LETTER FROM CONGRESSIONAL ARMENIAN ISSUES CAUCUS ON ARMENIA'S 25TH 
                      ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 21, 2016

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the people of 
Armenia on their 25th anniversary of independence. I include in the 
Record a letter to the President of the Republic of Armenia from the 
leaders of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues in celebration 
of this occasion.

                                               September 21, 2016.
     His Excellency Serzh Sargsyan,
     President of the Republic of Armenia.
       Dear President Sargsyan: As Members of Congress and leaders 
     of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, we 
     congratulate you and the people of the Republic of Armenia on 
     25 years of independence from the Soviet Union. On this day, 
     25 years ago, nearly every Armenian eligible to vote pledged 
     to build a free and proud nation, based on the principles of 
     democracy and a market economy.
       In the past quarter century, despite the ongoing blockade 
     of Armenia by two of its four neighbors, the Republic of 
     Armenia has continued to strengthen its democratic 
     institutions, empower civil society, and engage in economic 
     diversification.
       Armenia has joined the international community as a member 
     of numerous international organizations including the World 
     Bank, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in 
     Europe, and the World Trade Organization. As a critical 
     regional ally, Armenia is also a strong partner and supporter 
     of U.S.-led peace-keeping missions cooperating on a number of 
     regional and security challenges as a participant in NATO's 
     Partnership for Peace program.
       The Republic of Armenia has also consistently championed 
     the right to self-determination of its neighbors in the 
     Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, a right that Artsakh continues to 
     fight for in its steadfast pursuit of regional security and 
     stability despite a tenuous cease fire.
       The Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues stands in 
     solidarity with the peace-loving and resilient people of 
     Armenia. We welcome future opportunities to work closely with 
     the leadership of the Republic of Armenia to bolster the 
     bilateral U.S.-Armenia relationship.
       We join our colleagues in Congress, along with the Armenian 
     people and the Armenian-American community across the United 
     States in celebrating 25 years of Armenia's independence. 
     Please accept our best wishes and continued commitment to a 
     strong United States-Armenia partnership.
           Sincerely,
     Frank Pallone, Jr.
     Robert J. Dold.
     Jackie Speier.
     David G. Valadao.
     Adam B. Schiff.
     David A. Trott.

                          ____________________