Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE 101ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC DAY OF AZERBAIJAN
______
HON. STEVE COHEN
of tennessee
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 101st
anniversary of the Republic Day of Azerbaijan, and to extend my best
wishes to all Azerbaijanis. May 28th marks the founding of the
Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, when the people of Azerbaijan first
gained their independence from the Russian Empire in 1918. Although
Azerbaijan's independence was ended by Soviet forces in 1920, the
Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan was the world's first secular
parliamentary democratic republic in a predominantly Muslim nation--
earning diplomatic recognition from the United States during the
administration of President Woodrow Wilson. We also recall that the
Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan granted universal suffrage to its
citizens in 1918, making it the first Muslim country to give women the
right to vote.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan restored its
independence on October 18, 1991, when its Parliament adopted the
Constitution Act on the Restoration of the State of Independence of the
Republic of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan has emerged as a key player for enhancing global energy
security. Azerbaijan also provides roughly 40 percent of Israel's oil
consumption and enjoys friendly ties with Israel beyond oil sales.
Jews have resided in Azerbaijan for 2,500 years without persecution
and today, the Jewish community in Azerbaijan numbers over 12,000.
Azerbaijan is also home to Christian communities and has been praised
for its religious tolerance by the European Parliament.
Azerbaijan is a key global security partner for the United States.
As an active member of NATO's Partnership for Peace program, Azerbaijan
cooperates with the United States in countering terrorism, nuclear
proliferation, and narcotics trafficking. Azerbaijani troops serve
shoulder to shoulder with U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, as they
previously did in Kosovo and Iraq. In support of the International
Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan has extended
important over-flight clearances for U.S. and NATO flights as well as
regularly providing landing and refueling operations at its airports
for U.S. and NATO forces.
As co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, I stand with the
Azerbaijani people as they continue to work towards independence and
security as well as to embrace human rights and democratic values. I
congratulate the people of Azerbaijan on the centennial of their
Republic Day. May the partnership between the United States and
Azerbaijan progress and continue to benefit both of our nations.
____________________