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“SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA'S RE-INDEPENDENCE” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E610-E611 on April 9, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA'S RE-INDEPENDENCE
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HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN
of new york
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, April 9, 1997
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the Republic of Georgia's re-independence.
Georgia, one of the most ancient countries in the world, is situated in the Caucasus region, the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The country's rich culture and heritage is exemplified by its language, Georgian, which is over 2,000 years old, and which employs the unique Georgian alphabet, 1 of only 14 in use in the world today.
While Georgia was annexed by Russia in 1801, it never gave up its fight for independence. In 1918, those efforts were successful as Georgia regained its independence and relinquished its ancient monarchy for a democratically elected government. Sadly, this new-found independence was to be short-lived. In 1921, the Communist Iron Curtain descended over this small yet proud country. Georgia suffered terribly under the heavy hand of Soviet communism and its centrally planned economy. Through it all, the Georgian people never gave up their desire for independence.
On April 9, 1989, Soviet troops broke up a throng of 10,000 Georgian nationalists who were peacefully demonstrating for independence in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi. More than 200 people were injured and 19 killed, many of them women and children. Some were brutally beaten to death with shovels. This tragic event marked both the beginning of the end of Soviet domination and the rebirth of Georgia. After 70 years of Soviet domination, Georgia officially redeclared its independence on April 9, 1991. Thus, it is April 9 that is observed as both a commemoration of a tragedy and as the anniversary on which Georgia's long-fought-for independence was again regained.
Over the last few years, under the leadership of President Eduard Shevardnadze, Georgia has made remarkable strides toward a free market economy and democracy. A constitution grounded in democracy values has been adopted and free and fair Presidential and Parliamentary elections have been held. A new generation of leaders, including Zurab Zhvania, the 34-year-old Chairman of the Parliament who just last month visited us here in Washington, has begun to emerge. On the economic front, Georgia's new currency, the Lari, has remained stable since it was introduced in the fall of 1995. The International Monetary Fund has praised Georgia's economic initiatives and our own State Department has noted the significant progress Georgia has made in restructuring its economy. Several major United States corporations have already established a presence in Georgia.
Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the sixth anniversary of Georgian independence. I urge my colleagues to join in congratulating Georgia on its progress toward democracy and a free market economy.
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