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, 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, Mr. 

CRUZ, Mr. BARRASSO, Mr. MCCAIN, and Mr. MCCONNELL) submitted 

the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 

Relations 

MARCH 20, 2018 

Reported by Mr. CORKER, with an amendment 

APRIL 9, 2018 

Considered, amended, and agreed to 

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; 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
2 

SRES 432 ATS 

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 ExVerDate Sep 11 2014 23:03 Apr 09, 2018 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR432.ATS SR432

sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
3 

SRES 432 ATS 

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) commends the Baltic states for their com17 mitment to democracy and respect for human rights 

18 and for their leadership in furthering these values 

19 abroad; and 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
4 

SRES 432 ATS 

1 (6) reiterates the continued support of the Sen2 ate for the European Deterrence Initiative as a 

3 means for enhancing deterrence and increasing mili4 tary capabilities on NATO’s eastern flank. 

Æ 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS