02/25/14 - Statement submitted for the Congressional Record on Khojaly - Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of my colleagues the tragedy that took place in Khojaly , Azerbaijan 22 years ago today, February 25, 1992. That evening, scores of lives of innocent Azerbaijanis living in Khojaly were lost and many others were wounded or taken hostage when their city was brutally attacked.

With a population of 7,000, Khojaly was one of the three largest urban settlements of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. Nagarno-Karabakh is recognized by the United States and the United Nations as Azerbaijani territory occupied by Armenia.

At the time, the Khojaly tragedy was widely covered by the international media, including the Boston Globe, Washington Post, New York Times, Financial Times, and many other European and Russian news agencies.

Over two decades later, there is still too little attention or interest paid to the plight of Khojaly outside of Azerbaijan.

According to Human Rights Watch and other international observers the massacre was committed by Armenian troops, reportedly with the help of the former Soviet 366th Motor Rifle Regiment. Human Rights Watch described the Khojaly Massacre as ``the largest massacre to date in the conflict'' over Nagorno-Karabakh. In a 1993 report, they stated ``there are no exact figures for the number of Azeri civilians killed because Karabakh Armenian forces gained control of the area after the massacre'' and ``while it is widely accepted that 200 Azeris were murdered, as many as 500-1,000 may have died.''

Soon after the attack, Time Magazine published the following report on the Khojaly Massacre: ``While the details are disputed, this much is plain: something grim and unconscionable happened in the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly two weeks ago. So far, some 200 dead Azerbaijanis, many of them mutilated, have been transported out of the town tucked inside the Armenian-dominated enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh for burial in neighboring Azerbaijan. The total number of dead--the Azerbaijanis claim 1,324 civilians were slaughtered, most of them women and children--is unknown.''

Azerbaijan has been a strong strategic partner and friend of the United States. The tragedy of Khojaly was a crime against humanity and I urge my colleagues to join me in standing with the people of Azerbaijan as they commemorate this tragedy and urge world leaders to help bring a peaceful solution to the occupation of these lands.

07/18/13 - Member spoke at pro-Azerbaijan event to promote SOCAR and southern gas pipeline which ostensibly organized by US-based Assembly of the Friends of Azerbaijan. Saw photos of BP executive at the event. Addressing the event, Sen. Mike Crapo, Reps. Mike Turner, Xavier Becerra, Robert Aderholt, Henry Cuellar, Leonard Lance, Gene Green, Dana Rohrabacher, Ruben Hinojosa, Matt Cartwright, Bill Cassidy, Mike Fitzpatrick and Steve Stockman, Grace Meng, Yvette Clark and Sheila Jackson Lee. http://en.apa.az/news/196510

02/25/13 - Statement submitted for the Congressional Record on Khojaly - Mr. Speaker, as the United States and Azerbaijan continue to develop closer relations--relations which have proven immensely valuable to both nations--it is important to take the time to remember the Khojaly Massacre which took place in Azerbaijan 21 years ago, on February 25-26, 1992.

In a period of less than 12 hours, 1,275 Azerbaijanis were tortured and 613 were murdered, including 106 women and 63 children, in the town of Khojaly.

Newsweek described the victims of Khojaly as ``ordinary Azerbaijani men, women, and children,'' separate from the on-going military conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Despite the shocking nature of these events, remembrance of the Khojaly Massacre has become nearly forgotten outside Azerbaijan's borders. This is unconscionable for our country, which has always fought to safeguard the human rights of all people.

In the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Azerbaijan shared in our grief and pledged to stand by the United States as we brought the perpetrators to justice.

True to their word, Azerbaijan has supported allied efforts against international terrorism by allowing unrestricted access to their territory for aircraft, troops, and supplies, as well as committing their own troops to fight alongside our own.

Just as Azerbaijan has supported our nation in its time of need, so too must we not let the massacre of the 613 Azerbaijani men, women, and children drift into the dim memory of history.

I urge my colleagues to commemorate this terrible tragedy and continue our nation's support for the people of Azerbaijan , our partners in peace and prosperity for the Caspian Region.

02/04/13 - Statement submitted for the Congressional Record on Black January - Mr. Speaker, I rise in remembrance of the over 130 innocent men, women, and children who were killed by the Red Army in the days following its invasion of Azerbaijan 23 years ago.

On January 20, 1990, the Soviet Union, in a brutal attempt to end the growing independence movement in Azerbaijan, sent in 26,000 troops under the pretext of restoring public order, while actually aiming to forcefully end peaceful demonstrations for independence.

The invasion and subsequent massacre, which resulted in over 130 killed, 611 injured, and 841 arrests, is remembered as ``Black January'' in the Republic of Azerbaijan today and has left an indelible mark on that nation's memory.

It was the overt oppression of innocent people by the Soviet government that further inspired the Azerbaijani people to regain its independence after 70 years of foreign rule.

Less than two years later, on October 18, 1991, Azerbaijan gained its independence from the Soviet Union and was soon recognized by the international community.

Today, the United States and Azerbaijan enjoy a close and important relationship, built on trust, understanding, and mutual support. It is important on this day that America remembers the trials and tribulations our friends in Azerbaijan have had to endure for the cause of freedom and continue to support their vital role as a beacon of democracy and prosperity in the Caspian Region.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to please join me in remembering the tragic events of Black January and honor those who gave their lives in order to give birth to their country.