III 

Calendar No. 356 

115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 432 

Congratulating the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the 

100th anniversary of their declarations of independence. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MARCH 12, 2018 

Mr. JOHNSON (for himself, Mr. MURPHY, Mr. GRASSLEY, Ms. WARREN, Mr. 

RISCH, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. PERDUE, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. COONS, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. MARKEY, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. KAINE, and 

Mr. CRUZ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Foreign Relations 

MARCH 20, 2018 

Reported by Mr. CORKER, with an amendment 

[Omit the part struck through and insert the part printed in italic] 

RESOLUTION 

Congratulating the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and 

Lithuania on the 100th anniversary of their declarations 

of independence. 

Whereas, in 1918, the people of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania declared their independence on February 24, November 18, and February 16, respectively, as sovereign, 

democratic countries; 


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•SRES 432 RS 

Whereas, on July 28, 1922, the United States formally recognized Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania as independent 

countries; 

Whereas the United States refused to recognize the Soviet 

Union’s forcible incorporation of the Baltic states; 

Whereas, in August 1991, the Baltic states regained their de 

facto independence from the Soviet Union, and on September 2, 1991, President George H.W. Bush recognized 

the restoration of their independence, reestablishing full 

diplomatic relations between the United States and Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania several days later; 

Whereas, in the United States, communities of Baltic descent 

have contributed significantly to American culture, prosperity, and security and have helped strengthen United 

States relations with the Baltic states; 

Whereas relations between the United States and Estonia, 

Latvia, and Lithuania have developed into a robust partnership based on shared values and principles, including 

respect for the rule of law, human rights, freedom of 

speech, and free trade; 

Whereas Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have shown their resolve as responsible and dedicated members of the North 

Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) by contributing to 

regional and global security, including to operations in 

Afghanistan; 

Whereas the Baltic states have been leaders in addressing 

and combatting 21st century security threats, exemplified 

by their active leadership and advancement of the NATO 

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•SRES 432 RS 

cellence in Latvia, and the NATO Energy Security Center of Excellence in Lithuania; and 

Whereas Russia’s continued aggressive and provocative actions against its neighboring countries, including violations of sovereign Baltic airspace, test both the region 

and the NATO alliance: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) congratulates the people of Estonia, Latvia, 

3 and Lithuania on the occasion of the 100th anniver4 sary of their declarations of independence; 

5 (2) commends the people and Governments of 

6 Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania for their successful 

7 reforms and remarkable economic growth since 

8 1991; 

9 (3) applauds the productive partnership the 

10 United States enjoys with the Baltic states in many 

11 spheres, including NATO; 

12 (4) recognizes the determination of the Govern13 ments of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to strength14 en transatlantic security through defense spending 

15 and host nation support for NATO deployments; 

16 (5) recognizes the commitment among the Bal17 tic states to further respect for the values of democ18 racy and human rights within their own countries 

19 and abroad; and 

20 (6) reiterates the continued support of Congress 


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•SRES 432 RS 

1 (5) commends the Baltic states for their commit2 ment to democracy and respect for human rights and 

3 for their leadership in furthering these values abroad; 

4 and 

5 (6) reiterates the continued support of the Senate 

6 for the European Deterrence Initiative as a means 

7 for enhancing deterrence and increasing military ca8 pabilities on NATO’s eastern flank. 


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Calendar No. 356 

115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 432 

RESOLUTION 

Congratulating the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, 

declarations of independence. and Lithuania on the 100th anniversary of their 

MARCH 20, 2018 

Reported with an amendment 


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