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[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 432 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>

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 and Mr. Murphy) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               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;
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 Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence 
        in Estonia, the NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence 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
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) congratulates the people of Estonia, Latvia, and 
        Lithuania on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of their 
        declarations of independence;
            (2) commends the people and Governments of Estonia, Latvia, 
        and Lithuania for their successful reforms and remarkable 
        economic growth since 1991;
            (3) applauds the productive partnership the United States 
        enjoys with the Baltic states in many spheres, including NATO;
            (4) recognizes the determination of the Governments of 
        Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to strengthen transatlantic 
        security through defense spending and host nation support for 
        NATO deployments;
            (5) recognizes the commitment among the Baltic states to 
        further respect for the values of democracy and human rights 
        within their own countries and abroad; and
            (6) reiterates the continued support of Congress for the 
        European Deterrence Initiative as a means for enhancing 
        deterrence and increasing military capabilities on NATO's 
        eastern flank.
                                 <all>
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