[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19432]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                    IN HONOR OF FINLAND'S CENTENNIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SEAN P. DUFFY

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2017

  Mr. DUFFY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise on behalf of the Congressional 
Friends of Finland Caucus in recognition of Finland's Centennial. For a 
generation of Finns, this is the most significant commemorative year in 
their lifetime.
  The significance of the anniversary comes with good reason. A century 
ago, on December 6, 1917, Finland declared itself an independent 
republic and rejected its status as an autonomous Grand Duchy of 
Russia. As is often the case, independence is not easily won. Soon 
after breaking away from Tsarist Russia, the country descended into 
civil war with neighbor pitted against neighbor. However, from the 
struggle of war, something incredible happened: the Finnish people 
emerged with renewed purpose and a new national identity.
  After 100 years of democracy, Finland has become a shining example to 
the world of what monumental achievements can be made in a short time. 
Today, Finland is the pinnacle of Nordic values and culture, a proud 
member state of the European Union, and a key political and economic 
partner of the United States. The deep relationships between the United 
States and Finland cannot be overstated. The United States is the third 
largest trading partner of Finland and in addition, around 250 Finnish-
owned companies, which directly employ about 34,000 people, are based 
in the United States. Truly, US-Finland relations have never been 
stronger.
  And just a few short months ago, President Trump hosted President 
Niinisto at the White House. There the Presidents discussed Finland's 
leadership of the Arctic Council, the coalition to defeat ISIS, and 
cybersecurity. Furthermore, President Trump pledged an additional half-
million dollars to the Fulbright Finland Foundation so that the United 
States could send more of our brightest students to study and form 
lasting relationships in Finland.
  Our peoples share many common values and interests that make Finns 
and Americans readily identify with one another. Hard work and the 
drive to succeed have benefitted both our peoples and embody some of 
our most deeply-held virtues.
  In light of these shared interests and the strong relationship 
between our peoples, I congratulate all Finns on 100 years of 
independence. Continued cooperation between our nations will make 
Finland's second century as robust and vibrant as the first and my 
colleagues in the House and I look forward to closely working with our 
Finnish counterparts towards that end. Thank you, Finland, for being a 
valued friend to the United States and happy centennial.

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