07/27/11 - Remarks offered on the House floor on H. R. 440 - I rise to urge this Chamber to support H.R. 440, a bill that requires the President to appoint a special envoy at the State Department to advocate for religious minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia. I commend the gentleman for his leadership on this matter.

I have personally met with oppressed people from all over the globe, but predominantly ones from the Near East and South Asia. The region has long been a hot-bed of religious discrimination, and little has been done by our government to aid these innocent practitioners of faith. Revolutions striving for democracy and greater expression in the region have been matched by a wake of religious intolerance and extremism. As we cherish our right to the free expression of religion here at home, our State Department needs to reflect our dedication to protecting this right in our diplomatic engagements abroad.

Religious minorities in Egypt, Iraq, Iran, and countless other countries are left without an advocate in the political process of their respective governments. H.R. 440 would provide an envoy that can advocate for these religious minorities and focus solely on their plight while being able to avoid bureaucratic red tape. As basic human rights are increasingly under assault in this region, our government needs to rapidly respond to the new challenges rapidly emerging. It is in our strategic interest to pass this legislation. I ask the Members to join me in supporting it.

06/02/11 - Pitts was one of only members, who did not claim Azerbaijan was tolerant towards Jews and Christians, as other members did in similar statements. Remarks submitted for the Congressional Record --- Mr. Speaker, last week we celebrated Azerbaijan?s Republic Day, which commemorates the 93rd anniversary of Azerbaijan?s independence from the Russian Empire. Later this year, Azerbaijan will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of its freedom from the Soviet Union and the state of diplomatic relations with the United States.

The U.S.-Azerbaijan partnership is based on shared values and common goals. Over the last 20 years, Azerbaijan has become a key strategic ally of the United States and has helped the United States achieve important security and economic objectives in a complex part of the world.

Azerbaijan supports U.S. and NATO operations in Afghanistan, sending troops and civilian personnel to Afghanistan to serve alongside U.S. troops, as well as training civilian and security officers both in Azerbaijan and Afghanistan. Azerbaijan is also a key part of the Northern Distribution Network, which provides ground and naval transit for roughly 25 percent of the Coalition?s supplies bound for Afghanistan.

Azerbaijan also plays an important role in strengthening U.S. and European energy independence and is currently expanding its commercial and economic ties with the United States. Azerbaijan, which provides roughly a quarter of Israel?s oil, is a secular Muslin country that maintains close friendly ties with Israel.

Please join me in honoring Azerbaijan?s 93rd Republic Day and celebrating a healthy U.S.-Azerbaijan relationship.

02-15-11 - Patton Boggs LLP met with Ben Stoltzfoos from Representative Pitts's office on behalf of the government of Azerbaijan regarding U.S.-Azerbaijan bilateral relations

05-17-11 - Patton Boggs LLP met with Representative Pitts on behalf of the government of Azerbaijan regarding U.S.-Azerbaijan bilateral relations

09-15-11 - Patton Boggs LLP met with Ben Stoltzfoos from Representative Pitts's office on behalf of the government of Azerbaijan regarding U.S.-Azerbaijan bilateral relations