[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13608]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

     FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTONIAN AMERICAN NATIONAL COUNCIL

 Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to the 50th 
anniversary of the Estonian American National Council. On July 19, 
1952, Estonian Americans founded this Council to preserve the Estonian 
cultural heritage. For 50 years, it has provided an independent voice 
for the Estonian people in their successful campaign for human rights 
and democracy in their homeland.
  The Estonian American National Council combined the strong spirits of 
America and Estonia in its fight for Estonian independence. Forcibly 
annexed and occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940, Estonians could not 
speak freely for themselves in their own homeland. But as the leader of 
the free world, the United States never recognized the Soviet Union's 
oppressive regimes in Estonia or its Baltic neighbors, Latvia, and 
Lithuania. So with the start of the cold war, Americans of Estonian 
descent established their own organization.
  Half a century later, I visited Estonia. I was so happy to see the 
tremendous strides the country was making toward developing its 
democratic and market-based systems. Estonia is proving its abilities 
through high-tech initiatives in everything from cellular phones to 
paperless government. I also appreciate the Baltic States' renewed 
senses of culture while respecting the rights of Russian-speaking 
minorities.
  As a founding member of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, I applaud 
the work of the Estonian American National Council, a critical member 
of the Joint Baltic American National Committee. Together, America, 
Estonia and the other Baltic States are doing all they can in the war 
against terrorism. With America's support, Estonia, Lithuania, and 
Latvia are already contributing to our mutual security by developing 
modern armed forces, air surveillance systems, and participating in 
peacekeeping activities. I believe Estonia and its Baltic partners will 
make a wonderful contribution to NATO.
  Since Estonia achieved independence in 1991, the Estonian American 
National Council has been instrumental in bringing America and Estonia 
together to make both countries more secure. The council has funded 
scholarships, schools, cultural activities, youth programs and exchange 
missions that have enhanced the ties that it began to build between 
America and Estonia many years ago. I am proud of the partnerships 
Maryland had built with Estonia through our National Guard and their 
Armed Forces, and the trade between our great cities and ports.
  Everywhere I look, America's interest in strengthening its ties with 
Estonia and the other Baltic States is growing. I congratulate the 
council on its 50th anniversary, and I send my best wishes to the 
Estonia American community in Maryland and nationwide. You can count on 
me to continue to help promote a closer and more comprehensive 
relationship between the United States and Estonia. I ask my colleagues 
to join me in congratulating the Estonian American National Council on 
its contributions to America and Estonia for the last 50 years.

                          ____________________