[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14645]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LITHUANIAN KAIMAS FUND PROJECT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 28, 2005

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as Co-Chair of the Baltic 
Caucus to commend the work of the Lithuanian Kaimas Fund project. The 
project provides children in rural areas in Lithuania with educational 
opportunities. In just its third year, the project is having a positive 
impact on the lives of more than 2,000 young people in more than 60 
rural villages across Lithuania. The Kaimas (``countryside'') Fund is a 
private-public partnership between the American Lithuanian Economic 
Development Council, the Lithuanian Ministry of Education, the 
Lithuanian Embassy in Washington, DC and local non-governmental 
organizations who provide services to young people in Lithuania.
  During a two-week summer program, community centers in the Lithuanian 
regions of Akmenes, Anyksciai, Marijampole, Moletai, Ukmerge, Utena, 
Skuodas and Vilnius will provide opportunities for youth to participate 
in educational and athletic activities, including computer training. 
Because the project is supported by contributions from American donors, 
the project also demonstrates the generosity of Americans and the 
shared values between our countries.
  I would specifically like to commend the work of Lithuanian 
Ambassador Vygaudas Usackas, and his wife Loreta, who established the 
Kaimas Fund in 2000, and the leading American supporters of this 
important initiative: Dr. Daiva Bajorunas and Stephen Sarnoff, Stanley 
Balzekas, Beverly Bridges, Dennis and Sally Garrison, Audrey and Martin 
Gruss, Joseph Krivickas, Cynthia Pasky, John Prunskis, George Ramonas 
and Eugene Rainis.
  Most importantly, I would like to encourage the young people and 
leaders of the community centers who are participating in this program 
in Lithuania. This summer, you are helping to strengthen the special 
friendship between Lithuania and America. You are also a vital part of 
the future of the special relationship our countries share.

                          ____________________