Joe Wilson’s Remarks About ASA

AZERBAIJAN MARKS 89TH ANNIVERSARY OF REPUBLIC

HON. JOE WILSON OF SOUTH CAROLINAIN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, in venues ranging from the Bundestag to the U.S. Congress to the streets of Baku, Azerbaijanis worldwide will mark their National Day of the Republic this upcoming week. Since achieving independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Azerbaijan has remembered May 28 as the date, in 1918, when the country was proclaimed an independent state, making it the first democratic republic in the Caucasus region. Though it lasted only 2 years, from May 1918 to April 1920, this first democratically elected Azerbaijani government worked on building an independent and democratic state. Members of the Azerbaijani Diaspora regard the date as a key one among the numerous commemorative days they observe each year. Even when such a state did not formally exist anywhere on the world map, it existed in our hearts, our souls, and our minds, said Tomris Azeri, president of the Azerbaijan Society of America. It is this strong sense of being an Azerbaijani, which we are now free to show to ourselves and the world. And with that freedom for Azerbaijan has come growing prosperity, and growing respect, involvement, and influence in the world community. I commend Ambassador Yashar Aliyev for his hard work and dedication. I look forward to the United States continuing a successful relationship and strong friendship with the people of Azerbaijan.