HOUSE MEMORIAL 47

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2018

INTRODUCED BY

Debbie A. Rodella and Mary Kay Papen

A MEMORIAL

HONORING THE ONE-HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AZERBAIJAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC BECOMING THE FIRST DEMOCRACY IN THE MUSLIM WORLD.

     WHEREAS, following the October Revolution in the Russian empire, the Azerbaijani people established the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on May 28, 1918, which became the first secular democracy in the entire Muslim world; and

     WHEREAS, the new democracy enacted many progressive reforms, including granting the right to vote to women in 1919, which made Azerbaijan not only the first majority-Muslim nation to empower women, but it also put the country ahead of many advanced nations at the time in championing women's rights; and

     WHEREAS, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was recognized by other democratic nations, including the United States; and

     WHEREAS, after meeting a delegation of Azerbaijanis in Paris, United States President Woodrow Wilson said, "One day there came in a very dignified and interesting group of gentlemen who were from Azerbaijan ... I was talking to men who talked the same language that I did in respect of ideas and conceptions of liberty, right and justice"; and

     WHEREAS, in 1920, the Soviet army invaded Azerbaijan, ending the nation's independence until 1991, when Azerbaijan restored its freedom following the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and became the Republic of Azerbaijan; and

     WHEREAS, the United States was one of the first countries to recognize the Republic of Azerbaijan and establish full-fledged diplomatic relations with it; and

     WHEREAS, the United States and the United Nations recognize and support Azerbaijan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity; and

     WHEREAS, since 1991, the Republic of Azerbaijan has consolidated its freedom and independence and has become one of the world's fastest developing and modernizing countries, the largest economy of the region and the biggest trade partner with the United States in the south Caucasus; and

     WHEREAS, the United States and the Republic of Azerbaijan have expanded their partnership and developed multi-faceted cooperation on issues ranging from energy security; the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction; the fight against international terrorism; and drug and human trafficking; and

     WHEREAS, the Republic of Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to render comprehensive and unconditional assistance to the United States immediately after the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, opening its airspace and airports for use by coalition troops in Afghanistan and sending its soldiers to serve shoulder-to-shoulder with American troops; and

     WHEREAS, since 2001, the Republic of Azerbaijan has been providing a vital transportation route for over forty percent of all supplies for American and coalition troops based in Afghanistan; and

     WHEREAS, possessing vast oil and gas resources, the Republic of Azerbaijan contributes to the energy security of the United States, Europe and Israel and is a critical element of the "Southern Gas Corridor", which will further enhance diversification of energy supplies to European allies; and

     WHEREAS, it is critical for the United States to continue to further support the freedom and independence of its allies, such as Azerbaijan, and strengthen relations in order to advance the common interest now and in the future; and

     WHEREAS, Azerbaijan is represented by its consulate general in Los Angeles, California, and an honorary consulate in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and has formed a strong partnership with New Mexico over the last few years; and

     WHEREAS, May 28, 2018 will be celebrated as the one-hundredth anniversary of the establishment of Azerbaijan's first secular democracy, an event that is of great significance for all Azerbaijanis around the world, including many in New Mexico, and for all supporters of freedom;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it hereby congratulate the Republic of Azerbaijan on the one-hundredth anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and express a firm support for the Republic of Azerbaijan's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders in line with the national foreign policy of the United States; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that further strengthening of the strategic partnership and friendship between the United States and the Republic of Azerbaijan be encouraged through mutual efforts over the years to come; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the president of the United States, the president pro tempore of the United States senate, the speaker of the United States house of representatives and the members of the New Mexico congressional delegation.

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