[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 70 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 70

 Congratulating the people of the Republic of Lithuania on the 1000th 
anniversary of Lithuania and celebrating the rich history of Lithuania.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 9, 2009

 Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mr. Voinovich, and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted 
   the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                           Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Congratulating the people of the Republic of Lithuania on the 1000th 
anniversary of Lithuania and celebrating the rich history of Lithuania.

Whereas the name ``Lithuania'' first appeared in European records in the year 
        1009, when it was mentioned in the German manuscript ``Annals of 
        Quedlinburg'';
Whereas Duke Mindaugas united various Baltic tribes and established the state of 
        Lithuania during the period between 1236 and 1263;
Whereas, by the end of the 14th century, Lithuania was the largest country in 
        Europe, encompassing territory from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea;
Whereas Vilnius University was founded in 1579 and remained the easternmost 
        university in Europe for 200 years;
Whereas the February 16, 1918 Act of Independence of Lithuania led to the 
        establishment of Lithuania as a sovereign and democratic state;
Whereas, under the cover of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, on June 17, 1940, 
        Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania were forcibly incorporated into the Soviet 
        Union in violation of pre-existing peace treaties;
Whereas, during 50 years of Soviet occupation of the Baltic states, Congress 
        strongly, consistently, and on a bipartisan basis refused to legally 
        recognize the incorporation of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania by the 
        Soviet Union;
Whereas, on March 11, 1990, the Republic of Lithuania was restored and Lithuania 
        became the first Soviet republic to declare independence;
Whereas on September 2, 1991, the United States Government formally recognized 
        Lithuania as an independent and sovereign nation;
Whereas Lithuania has successfully developed into a free and democratic country, 
        with a free market economy and respect for the rule of law;
Whereas Lithuania is a full and responsible member of the United Nations, the 
        Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the European Union, 
        and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization;
Whereas in 2007, the United States Government and the Government of Lithuania 
        celebrated 85 years of continuous diplomatic relations;
Whereas the United States Government welcomes and appreciates efforts by the 
        Government of Lithuania to maintain international peace and stability in 
        Europe and around the world by contributing to international civilian 
        and military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, and 
        Georgia; and
Whereas Lithuania is a strong and loyal ally of the United States, and the 
        people of Lithuania share common values with the people of the United 
        States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) congratulates the people of the Republic of Lithuania 
        on the occasion of the 1000th anniversary of Lithuania;
            (2) commends the Government of Lithuania for its success in 
        implementing political and economic reforms, for establishing 
        political, religious, and economic freedom, and for its 
        commitment to human rights; and
            (3) recognizes the close and enduring relationship between 
        the United States Government and the Government of Lithuania.
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