[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 92 (Monday, July 17, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H6081-H6083]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONGRATULATING REPUBLIC OF LATVIA ON 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF 
        REESTABLISHMENT OF INDEPENDENCE FROM FORMER SOVIET UNION

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 319) congratulating the 
Republic of Latvia on the 10th anniversary of the reestablishment of 
its independence from the rule of the former Soviet Union.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 319

       Whereas the United States had never recognized the forcible 
     incorporation of the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and 
     Lithuania into the former Soviet Union;
       Whereas the declaration on May 4, 1990, of the 
     reestablishment of full sovereignty and independence of the 
     Republic of Latvia furthered the disintegration of the former 
     Soviet Union;
       Whereas Latvia since then has successfully built democracy, 
     passed legislation on human and minority rights that conform 
     to European and international norms, ensured the rule of law, 
     developed a free market economy, and consistently pursued a 
     course of integration into the community of free and 
     democratic nations by seeking membership in the North 
     Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); and
       Whereas Latvia, as a result of the progress of its 
     political and economic reforms, has made, and continues to 
     make, a significant contribution toward the maintenance of 
     international peace and stability by, among other actions, 
     its participation in NATO-led peacekeeping operations in 
     Bosnia and Kosovo: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) congratulates Latvia on the occasion of the 10th 
     anniversary of the reestablishment of its independence and 
     the role it played in the disintegration of the former Soviet 
     Union; and
       (2) commends Latvia for its success in implementing 
     political and economic reforms, which may further speed the 
     process of that country's integration into European and 
     Western institutions.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter).


                             General Leave

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on H. Con. Res. 319.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Nebraska?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks, and include extraneous material.)
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member rises in very strong support 
for H. Con. Res. 319, a resolution congratulating the Republic of 
Latvia on the 10th anniversary of the reestablishment of its 
independence from the former Soviet Union. This Member is pleased to be 
a cosponsor of this important statement of support.
  Mr. Speaker, the Baltic States of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia had 
been prosperous and progressive independent nations, a set of three 
nations, prior to the infamous Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, an agreement 
that heralded 5 decades of repression.
  The United States, of course, never recognized this unlawful act of 
international aggression. By 1990, the Soviet terror machine no longer 
held sway, and the long-standing courage and determination of the 
Latvian people was finally rewarded with freedom. Again, it was the 
United States that was among the first to recognize their independence 
when they broke free.
  No one could have predicted the rapid reintegration with the West. 
Free elections have now become the norm, and the Saeima acts as a 
fully-functioning parliament. Inflation has been reduced, and Latvia 
has made major strides in privatization.
  While the export market to Russia has collapsed, important new 
trading partnerships have been found in Poland, Germany and the West. 
Much remains to be done, but Latvians and Latvian-Americans can take 
justifiable pride at what has thus far been accomplished in Latvia.
  For our part, the United States continues to work for the Baltic 
nations to deepen and broaden our relationship. As but one example, 
NATO military officers, including Americans, continue to work with the 
Latvian military directly and through NATO's Partnership For Peace 
program.
  Latvia-Americans should also be proud of their contributions, with 
some retired military officers actually serving in key positions in the 
Latvian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defense.
  As the NATO Summit in Washington, D.C. last year concluded, Latvia 
joined in the Enhanced and More Operational Partnership, EMOP, a 
program designed to speed the day when Latvia can become a full 
contributing member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The 
goal, which this Member strongly endorses, is to move beyond the 
expressions of support and facilitate the concrete steps that will 
result in Latvia's further integration into the West.
  In other areas of cooperation, Peace Corps volunteers now teach 
Latvian schools and help Latvian small businessmen and women with such 
basic tasks as accounting and marketing. This Member is particularly 
pleased that the United States has created a Baltic American Enterprise 
Fund designed to underwrite fledgling entrepreneurs from Lithuania, 
Latvia, and Estonia.
  Finally, this Member would point out that the House of 
Representatives has been and is assisting the Latvian Saeima with such 
basic necessities as law books and computers, various kinds of library 
assistance.
  In 1995, this Member was part of a bipartisan House task force which 
approved and oversaw this assistance to this parliamentary body, as we 
did in the other two Baltic States, and visited Latvia for that and 
other foreign policy security purposes. It should be noted, 
additionally, that such assistance most assuredly is not a hand-out. 
Rather, we are offering a helping hand to a nation with historically 
close ties to the United States. We are helping Latvians build a future 
where their country can continue to progress in its rightful place as a 
full member of the European family of democratic nations.
  Mr. Speaker, this Member congratulates, in particular, the 
distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) for crafting a 
resolution that merits

[[Page H6082]]

the support of all Members of this body. This Member urges support for 
H. Con. Res. 319.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, let me at the outset congratulate the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) for crafting this very excellent resolution. I 
want to thank the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) for his 
eloquent and cogent and strong statement. I want to associate myself 
with the comments of the gentleman from Nebraska, and I call on all of 
my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 319.
  As we congratulate Latvia on the 10th anniversary of its renewed 
independence, I think it is important to recognize proudly that the 
United States stood on principle at the time of the beginning of the 
Second World War in refusing to accept the incorporation of Latvia, 
Lithuania and Estonia into the Soviet Union.
  Not many of our fellow citizens know that the embassies of these 
three Baltic countries continued to function during the long decades of 
both the Second World War and the Cold War here in Washington, D.C., 
underscoring the principled commitment of the United States under 
Republican and Democratic administrations to the independence of the 
Baltic States.

                              {time}  1615

  Mr. Speaker, Latvia, along with Lithuania and Estonia, has made 
enormous progress in developing an economy that was stifled by the 
nonfunctional Soviet system and building an increasingly democratic and 
open and free society. I have had the privilege and the pleasure of 
visiting Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia during the crucial days of 
their attempted breaking away from Soviet control; and I have had the 
privilege of visiting in the Baltics repeatedly since, most recently 
just a few months ago.
  It is reassuring, Mr. Speaker, that democracy is taking hold; that 
the orientation of Latvia and her two Baltic neighbors to democratic 
principles is strong; their desire to become admitted to the Europe 
Union is great; to become members of NATO; these are all manifestations 
of positive developments.
  There is one aspect of development in these three countries that I 
would like to touch upon, which is as yet unfinished business. At the 
time of the early days of the Second World War, the Baltic states were 
whipsawed between Hitler's Germany and Stalin's Soviet Union. As the 
German forces occupied the Baltic states, understandably perhaps, large 
numbers of citizens in these countries greeted the Nazis with joy 
because they represented liberation from the Soviet Union. Many joined 
Nazi military units.
  Now, time has gone on, and most of the members of these military 
units are no longer alive. But some are, and it has been critical to 
remind our friends in the Baltic states that it is their moral and 
legal obligation to bring the perpetrators of crimes against humanity 
to justice, irrespective of their age and medical condition.
  I have had the privilege of working with the presidents of all three 
Baltic countries and with members of parliament and, on the whole, I 
want to commend them for approaching this important remaining 
assignment from the dark period of the Second World War with diligence 
and sincere commitment. There is no doubt in my mind that under the 
current leadership of these three countries, with three strong 
democratically oriented presidents and strong democratically controlled 
parliaments, this job will be done and the three Baltic states will 
occupy their proper role in the family of democratic nations within the 
framework of the European Union and within the framework of NATO.
  It is in that spirit that I want to congratulate the people of Latvia 
and the government of Latvia for the remarkable progress they have made 
during the course of the last decade, and I strongly urge all of my 
colleagues to approve this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume 
to commend the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), the 
distinguished gentleman who gave a very articulate extemporaneous 
remark. He has followed the history of these Baltic states, and he has 
certainly followed their evolution since in fact they have gained their 
freedom; and I thank him for his outstanding remarks.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus), the distinguished gentleman who, by his 
activism, by his leadership, and by his heritage has been recognized 
already in his time here in the House as a leader on matters related to 
the Baltic states.
  (Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 319, congratulating 
the Republic of Latvia on the 10th anniversary of the reestablishment, 
and I underscore reestablishment, of its independence from Russia.
  I want to take this opportunity also to thank my colleagues, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. 
Bereuter), but especially the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), 
who is the conscience of the House and who has been a good friend as we 
negotiated these new areas, which are unchartered waters for me. And I 
would be remiss if I did not mention the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Kucinich), who is the co-chair of the Baltic Caucus. I appreciate his 
friendship and support, as well as all of the original cosponsors of 
this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, Latvia lost its freedom on August 23, 1939, when Nazi 
Germany and the U.S.S.R. signed a nonaggression pact and the Baltic 
states were placed in the Soviet sphere of influence. By August 1940, 
the nation had been placed under Soviet military occupation and was 
incorporated as a republic of the U.S.S.R. The United States never 
recognized the incorporation of these independent countries into the 
Soviet Union, and the Russian Federation currently has no claims on 
these independent countries today.
  For the subsequent 50 years, the brave people of Latvia endured the 
slaughter of innocent citizens, deportations to Siberia, and heavy 
political oppression. Despite these hardships, the Latvian people kept 
independence alive in their minds and spirits, resisting occupation in 
silent and public ways, serving as a secret weapon against the tyranny 
of the Soviet Union.
  On May 4, 1990, the people of Latvia solidified their full 
sovereignty, which served to further the disintegration of the Soviet 
Union. In just one decade, Latvia has successfully pursued policies to 
build a strong democracy, protect human rights, expand the rule of law, 
develop a free market system, and pursue a course of integration into 
the community of free and democratic nations, including the seeking of 
membership in the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty 
Organization.
  Latvia, together with the Republics of Estonia and Lithuania, 
continues to make a significant contribution toward maintaining peace 
and stability in the surrounding region, notably in peacekeeping 
operations in Bosnia and Kosovo. I applaud their participation and 
signature on the Vilnius statement signed on May 19 of this year, 
especially their commitment to individual liberty, the free market, and 
the rule of law.
  Latvia is a nation that has made tremendous progress since its 
independence and has unlimited potential and optimism for the future. 
The story of Latvian independence deserves to be widely acknowledged 
and remembered as a successful nonviolent model for social and 
political change.
  In the United States, we have imperfect individuals attempting to 
form a more perfect union. In Latvia, the attempt by imperfect 
individuals to form a more perfect democracy should be commended. That 
is why I urge my colleagues to join with me in passing House Concurrent 
Resolution 319 and remembering the good people of Latvia for all their 
perseverance and triumph over the monstrosity of communism.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to 
thank my very good friend, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), 
for his most generous comments, as

[[Page H6083]]

well as my very good friend and colleague, the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Shimkus).
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume 
to thank the gentleman for his remarks earlier, and also the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus), as I said, for his leadership and his 
outstanding statement.
  I take particular pleasure in being able to manage this legislation. 
Not only do we have a significant Lithuanian community in both Lincoln 
and Omaha, and a small Estonian one in Lincoln; but we have a 
relatively larger community of Latvians in Lincoln. They came to 
Nebraska in the early part of the 20th century for freedom, to escape 
religious persecution, and for economic benefits.
  As a part of that immigration, shortly following them was a young 
dissident from Latvia. His name was Karlis Ulmanis. After receiving his 
bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska, he worked for some 
time in Nebraska and Texas before returning to Latvia. There he became 
the president of Latvia between World War I and World War II.
  He was long-tenured, and an outstanding and benevolent leader of 
Latvia during that period of time. When the Soviets came in, they 
seized him; and that is the last the world knew of what happened to 
Karlis Ulmanis.
  Later, it was only justice that his grandnephew became the recent 
president of Latvia. For a period of time, his mother and he had to 
change their name in order to escape persecution from the Soviets. But 
the second Ulmanis did became a very distinguished and able president, 
and the Lincoln community is very pleased and proud of both the 
Ulmanises for their outstanding leadership of Latvia.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I thank my Latvian-American constituents for 
their outstanding support for the cause of freedom over the years for 
the Baltic states.
  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support this resolution 
and to commend the success the Republic of Latvia has achieved since 
the May 4, 1990 reestablishment of its full sovereignty and 
independence from the former Soviet Union.
  Since the declaration of its independence, Latvia has established a 
democratic government, passed legislation on human and minority rights, 
ensured the rule of law and sustained the development of its free 
market economy.
  Latvia has also consistently pursued a course of integration into the 
community of free and democratic nations by seeking membership in the 
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). I support admitting the 
Baltic states into NATO and I hope my colleagues here in the House will 
support their entry also in the next round of NATO expansion.
  Latvia has made great strides over the last ten years and this 
resolution helps to highlight this success. I thank Representative 
Shimkus for his efforts to bring House Concurrent Resolution 319 to the 
floor and the opportunity to congratulate Latvia on the last ten years 
of progress.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent 
Resolution 319, which congratulates the Republic of Latvia on the 10th 
anniversary of its independence from the rule of the former Soviet 
regime.
  I am certain that all of us in this Congress appreciate how difficult 
it has been for countries such as Latvia to move forward with badly-
needed political and economic reforms over the last decade.
  But, many of us can also recall the terrific challenges the Latvian 
people and their neighbors in Lithuania and Estonia had to overcome to 
regain their independence ten years ago.
  This Resolution congratulates the Latvian people for their success--
against all odds--in regaining their rightful independence, and 
commends them for carrying forward since then with the reforms that 
should lay the foundation for their full integration into European and 
Western institutions.
  Mr. Speaker, I support the Resolution and urge my colleagues to join 
in its adoption.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Miller of Florida). The question is on 
the motion offered by the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) that 
the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. 
Con. Res. 319.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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