[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 114 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           WELLES DECLARATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2016

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the anniversary 
of the Welles Declaration, a diplomatic statement that helped shape 
U.S. policy in Europe for more than 50 years.
  In the summer of 1940, the Soviet Union in an effort to expand its 
oppressive regime invaded the Baltic States of Lithuania, Latvia and 
Estonia. This was part of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact the Soviets 
signed with Nazi Germany. After the Red Army overran the Baltics the 
Soviets imprisoned the nations' political leaders and oversaw rigged 
elections. The new puppet governments immediately petitioned to join 
the Soviet Union. Any voices of opposition were suppressed and more 
than 100,000 citizens were deported from the Baltic States to Soviet 
camps.
  In light of these horrific events Secretary of State Sumner Welles 
issued a statement condemning the Soviet occupation of Lithuania, 
Latvia, and Estonia, as well as refusing to recognize the annexation of 
the Soviet Republics on July 23, 1940. The Baltic States maintained 
independent diplomatic missions, including here in Washington, DC. 
Every American President from 1940 through the independence of the 
Baltics in 1990 and 1991 supported the principles set forth in the 
Welles Declaration.
  The principles of the Welles Declaration still hold true today. We 
must stand against Russia's aggression toward its neighbors, including 
our NATO allies in the Baltics, and their occupation of areas of 
Ukraine. I commend America's stand against Soviet aggression during the 
Cold War and hope we will stand strongly for freedom today.

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