[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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