[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 19 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO LITHUANIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 1997

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the country 
of Lithuania. In just a few days, on February 16, Lithuania will 
celebrate its sixth year as a truly free and independent country. Since 
proclaiming its independence Lithuania has implemented a Democratic 
policy. Democracy, for this country, is a vast change from its previous 
50 years of forced annexation by the former Soviet Union.
  Although it has been, to some degree, a struggling progression, the 
overall picture is a steady one with greater potential on the horizon. 
In the past 6 years, Lithuania has seen monumental revision from 
drafting its own constitution, holding elections for its own Parliament 
and President, to developing a market economy.
  The old Soviet methodology and regularity of bureaucracy has dwindled 
almost to the point of extinction as privatization has taken a strong 
hold. Because of their privatization priority policy, 85 percent of 
state-owned enterprises have been transmitted to the private sector. In 
addition the development of a western-oriented program of reform 
regarding trade and banking has led to an increase in trade with 
western countries, gaining from just 15.3 percent in 1990 to over 60 
percent in 1995.
  Another indication of Lithuania's progression toward Democracy and a 
market economy is that about two-thirds of the economic product is now 
industrial. There has also been so much growth potential emerging that 
foreign interest and investment has increased substantially.
  Just before the collapse of the Soviet regime in 1991 Soviet troops 
attacked Lithuania's capital city, Vilnius. During the initial invasion 
several Lithuanians were wounded, some resulting in fatalities. For 
those who perished, they will be remembered as the ``Defenders of 
Freedom.'' I stand before you today to commend these defenders and all 
of Lithuania for what has become their common goal so eloquently stated 
by President Algiras Brazaukas, ``Now all people have a common goal: to 
live in an independent and free country.''

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