[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 27, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN REMEMBRANCE OF LITHUANIA'S INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 27, 2001

  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I wish to honor Lithuania's Independence Day, 
which occurred on February 16th . This is the 83rd Anniversary of this 
historic event.
  The Republic of Lithuania declared independence on February 16, 1918. 
The Lithuanian people enjoyed a 22 year period of self-rule and freedom 
before the occupation of the Soviet Union in 1940. Their traumatic 
times did not end there. In 1941, Nazi Germany invaded and 90% of 
Lithuania's 250,000 Jews were killed. The Soviets regained control over 
the area in 1944, resulting in a 46 year occupation, during which 
700,000 Lithuanians were either deported to Siberia, forced into exile, 
imprisoned or shot.
  Throughout all of their struggles, the Lithuanian people never gave 
up on their dream of independence. In 1990, they were the first Baltic 
State to secede from the Soviet Union and declare independence. After a 
hard fought struggle with the former Soviet empire, Lithuania finally 
regained independence.
  I offer my congratulations on the stability of the country as a 
republic with a strong hold on democracy and a growing economy. I wish 
the Republic of Lithuania the best as they work for full integration 
into the world community, NATO and the European Union.
  The people of Lithuania are proud and courageous, and I salute their 
faithfulness, endurance and patriotism. I extend my warmest wishes to 
the Republic of Lithuania as they celebrate another year of freedom.

                          ____________________