[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 41 (Monday, March 9, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2913-S2914]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 70--CONGRATULATING THE PEOPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF 
 LITHUANIA ON THE 1000TH ANNIVERSARY OF LITHUANIA AND CELEBRATING THE 
                       RICH HISTORY OF LITHUANIA

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

                               S. Res. 70

       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,

[[Page S2914]]

     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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