III 

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 SepVerDate Sep 11 2014 22:26 Mar 12, 2018 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR432.IS SR432

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•SRES 432 IS 

tember 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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 


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•SRES 432 IS 

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

2 and Lithuania on the occasion of the 100th anniver3 sary of their declarations of independence; 

4 (2) commends the people and Governments of 

5 Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania for their successful 

6 reforms and remarkable economic growth since 

7 1991; 

8 (3) applauds the productive partnership the 

9 United States enjoys with the Baltic states in many 

10 spheres, including NATO; 

11 (4) recognizes the determination of the Govern12 ments of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to strength13 en transatlantic security through defense spending 

14 and host nation support for NATO deployments; 

15 (5) recognizes the commitment among the Bal16 tic states to further respect for the values of democ17 racy and human rights within their own countries 

18 and abroad; and 

19 (6) reiterates the continued support of Congress 

20 for the European Deterrence Initiative as a means 

21 for enhancing deterrence and increasing military ca22 pabilities on NATO’s eastern flank. 

Æ 


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