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HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Azerbaijan is one of the prominent nations in the
3Muslim world that promotes and maintains a pro-American stance
4in foreign relations; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The Azerbaijani government and its people have
6shunned extremism and state-sponsored religion in favor of a
7secular state with equal rights for all citizens, regardless of
8race, ethnicity, gender, or religious affiliation; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Azerbaijan is a major supplier of energy resources
10to some of the United States' most vulnerable allies,
11particularly in Eastern Europe; and
 
12    WHEREAS, More than 100 U.S. businesses have an established
13presence in Azerbaijan, including prominent, successful
14corporations such as ExxonMobil, Ernst and Young, and
15Coca-Cola; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Azerbaijan has been a loyal supporter of the
17United States' "War on Terror", providing troops and logistical
18support for NATO operations in Afghanistan; and
 
19    WHEREAS, The appointment of Azerbaijan to a seat on the
20United Nations Security Council for the next 2 years places

 

 

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1them alongside the United States as a leader in the
2international community; having a country like Azerbaijan,
3which shares American values, and with whom the United States
4maintains close and productive ties, on the United Nations
5Security Council significantly strengthens American and
6Azerbaijani interests throughout the world and further fosters
7greater trust and cooperation amongst American and Azerbaijani
8citizens; and
 
9    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois currently has limited
10relations with the nation of Azerbaijan; the expansion of
11existing relations and the creation of new relationships with
12the Azerbaijani government and its people are of great
13importance to both the people of Azerbaijan and the citizens of
14this State; therefore, be it
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
16NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
17we urge the President of the United States and the United
18States Congress to continue to strengthen ties with the nation
19of Azerbaijan; and be it further
 
20    RESOLVED, That we affirm our belief that stronger relations
21should be created between Azerbaijan and the State of Illinois
22and urge the public officials and citizens of this State to
23take appropriate steps to foster warm relations with the nation

 

 

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1of Azerbaijan; and be it further
 
2    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
3delivered to the President of the United States, the Speaker
4and Minority Leader of the United States House of
5Representatives, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the
6United States Senate, and the Ambassador from the Republic of
7Azerbaijan to the United States of America.